Crime Reporting Policies

Reporting Policies:

1. The Security Office, located in Wiecking Center (V/TTY 389-2111) is the office to which all criminal reports should be made. Violence, assault and other criminal offenses have no place at Minnesota State Mankato. To enhance safety and ensure compliance with federal and state legislation, all University faculty and staff, including student employees, are required to notify a Campus Ssecurity Aauthority of campus crimes and also acts or threats of workplace violence that are reported to them in their role as an employee of the University.. Students and visitors are encouraged to report immediately any and all potentially criminal activity to the Security Office and/or the Mankato Department of Public Safety. Individuals reporting to Minnesota State Mankato who also wish to file a complaint with the Mankato Department of Public Safety will be provided with assistance from Minnesota State Mankato upon request.
2. Minnesota State Mankato will issue an annual report of criminal reports made to Security and other law enforcement agencies for crimes occurring on university property or facilities. The annual report includes reported crimes alleged to have occurred on the campus and facilities owned or rented by Minnesota State Mankato and/or recognized student organizations and public property immediately surrounding the university. It includes the following reports of crime:
   1. Murder:
   2. Sex offenses:
      1. Forcible;
         1. Forcible rape;
         2. Forcible sodomy;
         3. Sexual assault with object;
         4. Forcible fondling.
      2. Non-Forcible:
         1. Incest;
         2. Statutory rape.
   3. Robbery;
   4. Aggravated Assault;
   5. Burglary;
   6. Motor Vehicle Theft;
   7. Non-negligent and negligent manslaughter;
   8. Arson;
   9. Any of the above crimes evidencing hate
      

      The report also includes arrests and violations referred to campus adjudication for the following:

   10. Liquor law violations;
   11. Drug abuse violations;
   12. Weapons possession
3. The Director of Security serves as the primary liaison for Security with all law enforcement agencies.
4. When reports are made, the Director of Security or designee will decide if a threat continues to exist to the campus community. If a threat continues to exist, a warning will be sent out informing the campus community. Such notification may include postings on bulletin boards, electronic mail, the Personal Safety Hotline (389-2594), Security Web page, and media releases.

Reporting Procedures:

1. All criminal activity occurring on campus should be reported immediately to Security (222 Wiecking Center or V/TTY 389-2111) and/or to the Mankato Department of Public Safety. Security will assist the complainant in completing criminal reports. These reports will also be forwarded to the Mankato Department of Public Safety. Reports involving college students and visitor misconduct will also be shared with the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities in the Office of Student Affairs. Reports involving suspected employee misconduct will be forwarded to the employee's supervisor and the Office of Human Resources. Security will assist the Mankato Department of Public Safety with investigations.
2. Every effort should be made to ensure that physical evidence is maintained and protected. Immediately reporting incidents will assist in preserving physical evidence.
3. If you are a victim of a crime or witness a crime:
   1. Call Security (V/TTY 389-2111) or the Mankato Department of Public Safety (911) for any emergency including medical assistance, fires, suspicious people or activities, crime reports, traffic accidents, or other illegal activities;
   2. Obtain a description of the offender(s), including sex, age, race, hair, clothing, and other distinguishable features. Attempt to obtain a description and license number of any vehicle involved. Note the direction taken by offenders or vehicles and report those to Security or the police;
   3. Preserve the crime scene. Do not touch any items involved in the incident. Close off the area of the incident and do not allow anyone in the crime area until Security and/or police arrive.
4. Security will accept third-party reports in cases of sexual assault in order to protect the victim's identity.
5. All employees, faculty or staff who become aware of an allegation of violation of University policy, student code of conduct, civil or criminal law need to report the allegation to their supervisor and Security or a Campus Security Authority.
   

   The following positions have been designated as campus security authorities at Minnesota State Mankato: President; Vice Presidents; Student Affairs directors; Support Service directors; coaches; Office of Affirmative Action; Human Resources director; Security Department; faculty and staff who advise student groups, study abroad, off-campus activities, internships or clinicals. A complete listing of positions with the names of designated officials is available from the Security Department.

   When Minnesota State Mankato employees, including student employees, elicit information from an individual with knowledge of campus crime or workplace violence, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act requires that Minnesota State Mankato staff provide the individual making the disclosure of a campus crime with the following notice:

   • federal and state regulations require Minnesota State Mankato to compile and disclose accurate information on campus crime and workplace violence;
   • all Minnesota State Mankato employees are required to report campus crime and workplace violence to a Campus Security Authority;
   • timely warnings to the campus community aid in crime prevention;
   • criminal acts that are reported to Campus Security Authorities will be immediately reported to Security and law enforcement who will compile statistics.

   These individuals should not attempt to investigate, but should instead report the incident to Security.

6. All persons in the Minnesota State Mankato community are encouraged to assist anyone in reporting alleged criminal activity by contacting Security and/or the Mankato Department of Public Safety, as well as providing assistance in making the report.
7. Student organizations with control of any facility are advised to report safety and security concerns to Security.

C. University's Response to Reports:

1. All allegations will be investigated. These investigations may be made in conjunction with the Mankato Department of Public Safety or the Blue Earth County Sheriff Department, other Law Enforcement agencies, or MnSCU.
2. Reports will be classified in conjunction with the appropriate police agency according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Definitions.
3. Reports regarding student violations of University policy will be forwarded to the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities for investigation and appropriate action. Criminal investigation, arrest and prosecution can occur independently, before, during or after the campus disciplinary process.
4. The University will issue a timely warning to members of the campus community in cases of reported murder, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, manslaughter, arson and any hate crimes (manifesting evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability) of murder, forcible rape or aggravated assault, in cases where the Director of Security (or the Director's designee) determines there is a continuing threat to the University Community. In such cases, warnings will be published through campus bulletins, electronic mail systems, personal safety hotline, residence hall bulletins, Security Web page and media releases.