Timely Warning Policy

Responsible Offices:
Campus Safety
Communication, Marketing, and Public Affairs

I. Scope

This policy applies to all components of Mary Baldwin University, including programs housed on the main campus, Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences, and regional centers.

II. Purpose­

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the issuance of timely warnings regarding crimes posing a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community.  This policy complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) by establishing procedures for the university regarding the circumstances and delivery of warnings of serious or on-going threats. 

III. Definition

Timely warnings are provided to notify students, faculty, and staff of certain crimes that may represent a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community and to heighten safety awareness. A timely warning also seeks information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the offender when violent crimes against persons or substantial crimes against property have been reported. Timely warnings include information about the crime that triggered the warning, but do not include personally identifiable information about the victim of the crime. Timely warnings also include other available information that the university determines will help members of the campus community to protect themselves.  The content and amount of information varies depending on the nature of the threat, the amount of information available, the risk of compromising law enforcement efforts, and other factors.

IV. Policy and Procedure

When timely warnings are issued: Timely warnings are made in response to the occurrence of crimes specified in the Clery Act.  Other dangers to the campus community are addressed through emergency communications, as described in “Mary Baldwin University Emergency Communication Procedures.” Decisions to issue a warning are made on a case-by-case basis considering the nature and circumstances of the crime and the danger posed to the community. A warning is required only when the reported crime occurred on campus, public property bordering campus, or property controlled by Mary Baldwin.

Who issues them: Timely warnings typically are issued either by the Director of Campus Safety or the Vice President for Communication, Marketing, and Public Affairs, or by their designees in cases when they are not available.

How they are issued:

Timely warnings typically are issued through e-mails sent to students and employees and/or through Baldwin Alert Messages (BAM – alerts sent via text, email, and voicemail).

V. Authority

This policy is approved by the Executive Staff of Mary Baldwin University.