The purpose of this procedure is to outline WVSOM’s responsibility and process for issuing timely warnings in accordance with the Clery Act to notify the campus community of certain crimes that pose a serious or continuing threat to students and employees, thereby enabling them to take protective actions.
This procedure applies to all members of the WVSOM community.
WVSOM reserves the right to amend this procedure at any time, as necessary or appropriate.
For purposes of these procedures, the defined terms used herein have the definitions assigned to them in Institutional Policy GA-15: Safety and Security.
The responsibility for evaluating the need for and issuing of timely warnings lies with WVSOM’s:
WVSOM President or designee
Director of Campus Security and Clery Compliance Officer
A timely warning will be issued when:
A Clery Act crime has been reported to:
Campus security
Campus Security Authority (as defined in Institutional Policy GA-15: Safety and Security)
Local law enforcement
The crime occurred:
On campus
On public property adjacent to campus
In non-campus buildings or property WVSOM owns or controls
The crime poses a serious or continuing threat to the campus community.
Clery Act Crimes Requiring Consideration:
Criminal homicide (murder, non-negligent manslaughter)
Sex offenses (rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape)
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Burglary
Motor vehicle theft
Arson
Domestic violence
Dating violence
Stalking
Hate crimes
Before issuing a timely warning, WVSOM will assess:
The nature of the crime
The continuing danger to the campus community
The possible risk of compromising law enforcement efforts
The time and location of the incident
Whether the perpetrator has been apprehended
A timely warning may include:
A description of the incident (nature, time, and location)
Available suspect description (if any)
Recommended precautionary measures
Institutional support resources
A statement encouraging community members to report similar incidents
Personally identifiable information of victims will never be included in a timely warning.
Timely warnings may be issued via one or more of the following channels:
WVSOM Emergency Notification system (i.e. Omnilert)
Text alert system (SMS)
Campus-wide public address system (if available)
Emergency notification platforms
Institutional website and social media
Physical postings on campus bulletin boards or entrances
Warnings should be issued as soon as pertinent information is available, without delay, unless issuing the warning would compromise law enforcement efforts.
All issued Timely Warnings will be documented and retained, including:
Date and time of the crime
Date and time of the warning issuance
Method of dissemination
Content of the warning
Rationale for decision to issue (or not issue)
Records are maintained in compliance with Clery Act documentation requirements.
Timely warning procedures and summaries of crimes for which timely warnings were issued will be included in WVSOM’s ASR, published annually by October 1.
This procedure will be reviewed annually by WVSOM’s Clery Compliance Committee or Safety and Security Office to ensure continued compliance with the Clerk Act and alignment with best practices.
Questions about this procedure or the issuance of a specific Timely Warning may be directed to:
WVSOM Campus Security
Phone: 304-647-8911
Email: wvsomsecurity@osteo.wvsom.edu