OU Timely Warning Policy
The University of Oklahoma Police Department (OUPD) on the Norman, Health Sciences Center (OUHSC PD), and OU-Tulsa (OU-Tulsa PD) campuses, in consultation with their campus Vice President of Operations or his/her designee and in consultation with the OU-Tulsa president or his/her designee, are responsible for issuing Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications to the campus community. All three campus police departments will continuously work and coordinate with local law police agencies.
Anyone with information warranting a Timely Warning, Emergency Notification or activating the University’s emergency communications system should report the circumstances to OUPD immediately. The University will issue warnings or notifications as appropriate to keep the campus community informed about safety and security matters on an ongoing basis and to prevent similar crimes from occurring. The decision to issue a Timely Warning or Emergency Notification shall be decided on a case-by-case basis in compliance with the Clery Act and considering all available facts. The timing of the notification shall, in the first instance, be based upon whether the crime is considered a serious or continuing threat to students or employees and the possible risk of compromising law enforcement efforts.
Timely Warnings:
Timely Warnings are issued for crimes to persons or property including arson, burglary, aggravated assault, criminal homicide, motor vehicle theft, robbery and sex offenses. Timely Warnings also may be issued for other crimes as deemed necessary. Upon receipt of all relevant information, such warnings will, as circumstances warrant, be issued in a manner to best protect the campus community.
Emergency Notifications:
The University of Oklahoma will immediately issue an Emergency Notification to the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or staff on campus. Warnings may only be withheld if they would compromise efforts to contain the emergency. Confirmation of an emergency means that OUPD and other University officials, as appropriate, will gather and analyze reported facts to verify that a legitimate emergency or dangerous situation exists.
Procedure:
When a determination has been made that a Timely Warning or Emergency Notification is appropriate, the University of Oklahoma Police Department will take all appropriate steps to ensure timely notification of the campus community including immediately contacting the Vice President for Public Affairs or his/her designee to allow for appropriate media distribution. Options for notifying students, faculty and staff include the University’s Emergency Communication System. Additional methods of distribution may include, as appropriate:
(1) contacting the local media for immediate distribution;
(2) issuing a campuswide e-mail of the Timely Warning or Emergency Notification;
(3) printing the Timely Warning in the university’s student newspaper; and/or
(4) posting a Timely Warning bulletin on the OUPD website.
Such warning(s) and notifications may include, but are not limited to, the following information: type of crime, date, time and location of crime as well as available suspect information.
