2.10.5 Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications
A. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for issuing Timely Warning Notices and Emergency Notifications.
B. Persons Affected
All employees, faculty, staff, students, volunteers, contractors, patients, or other visitors of the University of Texas at Tyler and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (collectively, the “University”).
C. Definitions
Timely Warning Notices (TWN): TWN are triggered when an institution determines that a crime for which it must report Clery statistics has occurred on or near the campus Clery geography and presents a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community.
Emergency Notifications (EN): EN are triggered by incidents that represent an immediate threat to the health and safety of the campus community such as significant weather events, fires, gas leaks, explosions, criminal offenses, etc.
D. Policy
Timely Warning Notices (TWN) are triggered when an institution determines that a crime for which it must report Clery statistics has occurred on or near the campus geography and presents a serious or continuing threat to the campus community.
Emergency Notifications (EN) are triggered by incidents that represent a continuing dangerous or life-threatening situation. These situations include, but are not limited to:
- Significant weather events such as tornadoes, flooding, or large hail and natural disasters such as earthquakes.
- Safety hazards such as fires, gas leaks, chemical spills, explosions, or the outbreak of a serious illness.
- Crimes such as murder, sex offenses, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, any offense involving a deadly weapon, bomb threats, active shooter, civil unrest or rioting.
E. Responsibilities
If it is determined that a TWN or EN is necessary, the Chief of Police, or their designee, will activate the Emergency Communications System to alert and provide information and instructions to the campus community.
F. Procedures
The University Police will utilize a Timely Warning Notice Decision Matrix to determine if a TWN should be issued as a result of a specific incident or crime.
The University, when following the designated emergency notification procedures, is not required to issue a Timely Warning Notice based on the same circumstances; however, the University must provide adequate follow up information to the community as needed.
G. Review
This policy shall be reviewed every five years, or sooner if necessary, by the Chief of Police, or their designee.