Communication and Notifications

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Last Updated: Apr 23, 2025, 11:24 AM

Timely Warnings

The university implemented emergency notification and timely warning processes to help keep students and employees informed about threats to their health and safety in a manner that allows them to protect themselves. The Department of Public Safety develops timely warning notices for the university community to notify members about serious crimes against people that occur on or near campus when it is determined that the incident may pose a serious or ongoing threat. These warnings will be disseminated through RAVE, whether the incident is reported to the SIU Department of Public Safety, through a campus security authority, or the Carbondale Police Department.
  • Requirements

    The Clery Act requires institutions to distribute timely warnings for the following crimes if there is an imminent danger to the community:

    1. Criminal homicide
    2. Aggravated assault
    3. Robbery involving force or violence
    4. Sexual assault
    5. Major incident of arson
    6. Other crimes as determined necessary by the chief of SIU Police or designee
  • Warning Information

    A timely warning will typically include the following, unless any of this information would risk compromising law enforcement efforts:

    1. Date and time or time frame of the incident
    2. Brief description of the incident
    3. Information that will promote safety and potentially aid in the prevention of similar crimes
    4. Suspect description
    5. Police agency contact information
    6. Other information as deemed necessary by the chief of SIU Police or designee.

    The description of suspects will only be included if there is a sufficient amount of detail to describe the individual.

  • Other Information

    A timely warning will not be issued for the listed crimes if:

    1. The department apprehends the subject(s) and the threat of imminent danger for members of the community has been mitigated by the apprehension
    2. A report was not filed with the SIU Department of Public Safety, or the department was not notified of the crime in a manner that would allow the department to post a “timely” warning for the community. As a general guideline, a report that is filed more than five days after the date of the alleged incident may not allow the Department of Public Safety to post a “timely” warning to the community. Each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

    “Timely warnings” or “crime alerts” may be distributed for crimes that do not rise to the level of causing a serious or continuing threat to the university community but are situations the campus community should be aware of. Examples include, but are not limited to, a pattern of thefts or crimes on or off campus.