In the event that it becomes necessary to notify the entire campus of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, faculty and staff, the University has developed a campus alert procedure.

This procedure will be used, unless issuing a notification will compromise efforts to contain the emergency as determined by law enforcement, emergency management and University officials.

To further expand on the procedure, alerts may include but are not limited to notifications for campus closings or delays due to inclement weather, campus wide power or utility failure, fire or similar emergencies.

In the event of an emergency or other dangerous situation, the director of public safety will be responsible for issuing an emergency alert or notification.

Such alerts may include, but are not limited to:

  • A campus-wide mass notification via the e2 Campus Alert System to alert students, faculty and staff of the emergency situation. This is limited to those who have signed up for this free service.* This system sends text messages and emails to subscribers.
  • Patrol vehicles may be used to drive through the campus, sounding sirens and making appropriate public address announcements. In some situations, this method may not be desirable.
  • The campus communications network may also be used to send out an email and/or voicemail messages to the entire campus community.

Timely Warnings

The office of public safety will occasionally issue timely warnings to the campus community on crimes and incidents considered to be a threat to other students and employees that are reported to campus security or local law enforcement agencies.

Such reports will be provided to students and employees in a manner that is timely and that will aid in the prevention of similar occurrences.

In the event of situations where an immediate alert may not be necessary, notifications are generally initiated by using the campus computer email system.

This may include, but is not limited to timely warnings regarding:

  • Theft from vehicles in campus parking lots
  • Intrusion incidents to resident halls or academic buildings
  • Reports of certain crimes or observed suspicious activity

These are generally situations that are less threatening, but it may be prudent to alert members of the campus community to take precautions to prevent further incidents.

On an annual basis, the e2 Campus Alert System will be tested for effectiveness. Actual emergency situations may be documented and used in lieu of a test.

Missing Student Policy

In compliance with the Missing Student Notification Policy of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the office of public safety and residence life actively investigate any report of a missing student who is enrolled at the University as a resident student.

See Full Policy
  • Each resident will be notified of the missing students’ policy and procedures in the event that they are reported missing.
     
  • In addition to registering an emergency contact, students residing in on-campus housing have the option to identify, confidentially, an individual to be contacted by NDMU in the event the student is determined to be missing for more than 24 hours. If a student has identified such an individual, Public Safety will notify that individual no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. A student who wishes to identify a confidential contact can do so through the Office of Residence Life website or via the Housing Intent Form (returning students) or New Student housing Application (new students). A student’s confidential contact information will be accessible only by authorized campus officials and law enforcement as appropriate.
     
  • For any resident younger than 18, and not an emancipated individual, the University is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian no later than 24 hours after the time that the resident is determined to be missing by public safety and residence life staff.
     
  • If a member of the campus community has reason to believe that a resident student is missing, he or she should immediately notify NDMU Public Safety at (410) 532-5360. All efforts will be made immediately (no waiting period) to locate the student to determine his or her state of health and well-being. These efforts include, but are not limited to, checking the resident’s room, class schedule, friends, ID card access, contacting public safety, locating the resident’s vehicle, and call their cell phone number.
     
  • If upon investigation by public safety and residence life staff, the resident is determined missing for at least 24 hours, residence life will contact the resident’s designated emergency contact or custodial parent or legal guardian, if younger than 18 or the student has failed to designate an emergency contact.
     
  • Public safety will continue to investigate, using established investigative procedures and in collaboration with staff from residence life.
     
  • Public safety will also report and coordinate its efforts with the appropriate law enforcement agencies in full compliance with the requirements of this statute.