Timely Warning Policy

The New York State University Police at Buffalo State University in consultation with the college administration are the departments within the University responsible for issuing timely warnings in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) et seq. The New York State University Police at Buffalo State University will continuously work and coordinate with local law enforcement and police agencies.

Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the University Police. In the event that a situation arises that requires issuance of a warning, these warnings are provided in order to keep the campus community informed about safety and security matters on an ongoing basis and in an effort to prevent similar crimes from occurring. The decision to issue a timely warning shall be decided on a case-by-case basis in compliance with the 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 are usually addressed for serious or continuing crimes and may also 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.
 

When a determination has been made that a timely warning should be issued, the University Police Department and Buffalo State College Administration, will inform the campus community by taking all appropriate steps to ensure timely notification of the campus community including, immediately contacting college administrators and Marketing and Communications to allow for appropriate distribution of the warning to the campus and the community. Options for notification of students, faculty and staff include the University's Emergency Communication System through Buff State Alert. Media notification may include, as appropriate:

• Issuing a campus wide e-mail and NY-alert message of the timely notice
• Posting updates on the college web site
• Contacting the local media for immediate distribution
• Printing the warning in the college's student newspaper.
• Posting alerts on the college web site.
• Posting flyers in residence halls.

Such warning(s) 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.