Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications (Procedure 8.0300)

Based on board policy number and Florida Statutes:	Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)); F.S. 1001.64; 1004.65; College Policies 8.010, 8.030
Effective Date:	06/2014; 08/2015
Date of Review:	08/2015

Purpose

This procedure describes the process to be followed and the conditions under which a Timely Warning Notice or an Emergency Notification will be issued. Such notices are to alert all members of the College community of emergency or threatening situations or specific crimes as defined by the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”.)

Definitions

Timely Warning Notice: Notice to all members of the campus community when a specific crime, as defined by the Clery Act, has occurred on or in close proximity to the campus, and the crime represents a serious or continuing threat to members of the campus community. Examples of crimes that require a Timely Warning Notice are:

1. Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter
2. Negligent Manslaughter
3. Robbery
4. Aggravated Assault
5. Burglary
6. Motor Vehicle Theft
7. Arson
8. Sex Offense/Forcible and Non-forcible
9. Hate Crimes

Emergency Notification: Notice to all members of the campus community of an emergency or dangerous situation that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, employees, or others on campus. Examples of Emergency or Life Threatening Situations that may require an Emergency Notification include, but are not limited to, the Clery Act crimes described above and:

1. Active shooter/persons with weapons
2. Threats of violence
3. Physical or sexual assaults
4. Immediate threat related to domestic violence
5. Chemical spills
6. Fire
7. Weather-related emergencies
8. Serious acts or threats to campus-owned or personal property

Procedure

1. When a crime or other emergency or threatening situation is reported to College officials, the Director of Campus Safety and Security, or designee, will consult with the Executive Vice President, the Emergency Response Team Leader, a College Relations and Marketing representative, other campus authorities, and local law enforcement to determine on a case-by-case basis whether to communicate such information to the campus community via a Timely Warning Notice or an Emergency Notification.
   1. Timely Warning Notice: Considerations, Timing, Content, Distribution
      1. The decision to issue a Timely Warning Notice will be decided on a case-by-case basis after considering all of the facts related to the crime, including factors such as the nature of the crime, the continuing danger to the campus community and the possible risk of compromising law enforcement efforts to investigate the crime or apprehend suspects.
      2. A Timely Warning Notice will be issued as soon as pertinent information is available. The intent of a campus Timely Warning Notice is to alert the campus community of continuing threats, particularly those concerning safety, thereby enabling the campus community to protect themselves.
      3. A Timely Warning Notice will include the date of the incident, location of the incident, offense classification, summary, suspect description, contact information for anyone with information about the suspect(s) or crime, and other pertinent information.
      4. The College disseminates Timely Warning Notices to members of the campus community including officials with significant responsibility for student and campus activities, campus security, or local law enforcement via methods that may include but are not limited to:
         - Email
         - Text messaging
         - Seminole State Alert website: www.seminolestate.edu/alert
         - Seminole State website: www.seminolestate.edu
         - Digital Signage
         - Posters or flyers
   2. Emergency Notification: Considerations, Timing, Content, Distribution
      1. An Emergency Notification will be issued when it is determined that a significant emergency or dangerous situation on campus poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees, unless notification will compromise efforts to assist the victim, or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.
      2. An Emergency Notification will be issued as soon as reasonably necessary and without delay.
      3. The Emergency Notification to the campus community may contain only the information that is reasonably necessary to promote the safety of the campus community.
      4. The Emergency Notification will be distributed through the College’s Emergency Notification System.
2. Seminole State College will test its Emergency Notification System at least once each term (fall, spring, and summer).

Recommended by	Executive Team	Date	08/2015
Approved	President E. Ann McGee	Date	09/08/2015