Campus Safety

Although Nebraska Wesleyan responds to crimes through various measures, prevention and the reporting of crimes are ultimately the individual's responsibility. Various programs are designed to aid our community in learning safe living habits, including programming provided by Residential Education and Greek Life.

The university will inform its students and employees of confirmed incident(s) that could threaten their health and/or safety. The type of communication and its delivery will depend upon the circumstances of the incident.

For more detailed information about Nebraska Wesleyan University campus security, please refer to the Annual Security Report (ASR) that is in compliance with The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act):

2024 NWU Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report2.21 MB

Table of Contents

Campus Safety Measures

Emergency Information

Alert Systems

Reporting Options

Campus Security Authority and Reporting Crimes

Threat Assessment Team

Campus Safety Measures

Campus Security

NWU Security

NWU employs a security agency to provide security for students, employees and facilities. Their purpose is to be the “eyes” and “ears” of our campus, and to assist Lincoln Police Department (LPD).

Having security personnel is a proactive measure with the intent to prevent crimes. In conjunction with students’ own precautions, security can be an immediate resource in preventing crime.

Security staff are trained in crime and fire prevention, safety, patrol techniques, first aid, public relations, and facilities and procedures.

Security carries a mobile phone (402) 432-9238 to take calls. Security duties are twofold: to protect students and other persons, and to protect university property. Their responsibilities include securing buildings, checking offices and classrooms, noticing signs of break-ins, patrolling campus grounds, including off campus properties owned by NWU and parking lots, providing an escort when requested, and reporting security related maintenance requests.

NWU is under the jurisdiction of LPD’s Northeast Team. LPD officers have the right and the obligation to come onto campus property. Security is independent of LPD and state police agencies; however, security provides reports of crime and may call LPD for service as conditions warrant. LPD communicates to the university on a timely basis any criminal activity our students have engaged in.

Lincoln Fire Department (LFD) responds to all fire and rescue calls to the campus and is authorized to investigate and prosecute incidents regarding false fire alarms, fire extinguisher tampering and any fires of suspect origin.

Greek Housing Security

The fraternity and sorority chapter houses on the perimeter of the campus are not operated by Nebraska Wesleyan University; however, Greek chapter houses meeting approved university housing standards are considered to be approved housing. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act includes these facilities within the university's jurisdiction. Members should familiarize themselves with the particular safety and security procedures for their individual chapter houses. Members who detect any physical structures that present a safety or security risk should report them to the house manager, chapter president or house director. Members should follow the procedures for emergencies established by each chapter, which are to call 911 for life-threatening situations and to report criminal activity to the Lincoln Police Department. The university’s security guards are not authorized to provide services to the interiors of Greek chapter houses.

Access to Greek chapter houses is restricted to members and their invited guests.

Protection and No Contact Orders

If an NWU community member has been granted a protection order, they may contact a Title IX coordinator who will coordinate NWU security efforts to the greatest extent possible.

A No Contact Order is a supportive measure administered by NWU for a community member seeking relief of intentional contact from another NWU community member. A No Contact Order can be requested at any time while enrolled or employed at NWU, or at the university's discretion.

For more information on No Contact Order, contact a Title IX coordinator at titleix [at] os-tw.com (titleix[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu).

Use of Campus "Safe Walking Service"

Students and employees of the NWU community may call Campus Security at (402) 432-9238 to request a University representative to provide the "Safe Walking Service" to and from on-campus buildings and residences.

The "Safe Walking Service" is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Safety Measures

Security Cameras

There are 105+ active security cameras that monitor on campus—many with four-way directional viewing capacity. Security cameras are at most residential facility entrances as well as other locations throughout campus.

Alarms-test, Signals, Drills

NWU is required to test all alarm systems. All academic buildings are tested twice a year. These tests will consist of a short burst of ringing alarm.

When an alarm does sound for an extended time (opposed to test burst), assume the worst. The building needs to be evacuated immediately. This includes all offices and classrooms. DO NOT wait to determine the cause of an alarm. Remember that although false alarms may be an inconvenience, they also provide a great opportunity to test our evacuation and reporting procedures.

Once each semester, Nebraska Wesleyan’s physical plant team initiates an unannounced emergency evacuation drill for all academic buildings. Do not re-enter the building until an "All-Clear" message has been sent through the Wesleyan Alert System.

Additionally, residential education administrators initiate unannounced emergency evacuation drills for all residential housing. Do not assume the building is safe to re-enter until the "all-clear" is communicated to students and employees.

Safety and Security Policies and Compliance

Below is a list of NWU safety and security policies that keep the university in compliance with government regulations:

• Jeanne Clery Act and NWU campus compliance overview – The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety (Clery Center, 2022). 
• NWU Student Alcohol and Drug Policy
• NWU Employee Alcohol and Drug Policy

Outdoor Recreational Activities

In order to ensure the safety of all members and guests of the NWU community, students, faculty and staff are asked to be considerate of others while engaging in any recreational or sporting activity on the campus. Any sporting or recreational activity being conducted must not interfere with any classroom activity or present a safety hazard to others on the campus. 

Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, bicycles and similar recreational wheeled devices are not permitted to be used inside University-controlled buildings, residence halls or on tennis courts. Additionally, skateboards and other wheeled items may not be ridden on railings, curbs, benches, or any such fixtures that may be damaged by these activities, and individuals may be liable for damage to University property caused by these activities. Hoverboards or similar devices are never permitted in any of the campus buildings.

Campus Safety Violation Fines

To protect the safety of all NWU students, visitors and other community members, individuals who operate vehicles on the campus beyond approved drives and individuals who are on the roof of any campus building will be automatically assessed a $300 fine. In addition, these individuals may be subject to further disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct.

Emergency Information

Who to call if you are in immediate danger

Emergency, 911

Campus Security, (402) 432-9238

On-Call Residential Education Coordinator, (402) 601-2114

Active Shooter

Purpose

This procedure provides guidance to employees and students who may be caught in an active shooter situation. The steps below identify contacting law enforcement as one of the first steps - they are the best resource to mitigate the situation.

An active shooter is a person who appears to be actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area; in most cases active shooters use firearm(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. These situations are dynamic and evolve rapidly, demanding immediate deployment of law enforcement resources to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to innocent victims.

IMMEDIATE ACTION:

1. Enact Run, Hide, Fight.
   • RUN: If you determine that you can reach an escape path to a safer area, get out.
   • HIDE: If you can’t evacuate, find a secure place to hide out. Silence your phone. Find barriers to prevent or slow down a shooter from getting to you. Avoid windows.
   • FIGHT: As a last resort, if you can’t hide and if you have absolutely no other option, confront the active shooter. Be aggressive. Do not fight fairly (throw items and use improvised weapons).
2. Call 911.
3. Call NWU security: (402) 432-9238
4. Call the director of public relations to send Wesleyan Alert: (402) 430-2185.

Wesleyan Alert

The Wesleyan Alert is Nebraska Wesleyan’s urgent notification system available to all faculty, staff and students. You will be notified in the event of an emergency or safety concern via a text message to your cell phone. Updates will be sent for the duration of the situation. Active shooter situations unfold rapidly. In the case of an active shooter situation, enact the immediate action steps listed above. Do not wait for a Wesleyan Alert message if there is an active shooter situation unfolding in front of you.

Guidance to employees and students

If an active shooter is outside your building

Proceed to a room that can be locked, close and lock all the windows and doors, and turn off all the lights; if possible, get everyone down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the room. One person in the room should call 911, advise the dispatcher of what is taking place, and inform them of your location; remain in place until police give the “all clear.” If able, one person should attempt to call campus security and the director of public relations (numbers listed above). Do not respond to unfamiliar voices as it may be the shooter attempting to lure victims from their safe space; do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify with certainty that the commands are being issued by a police officer.

If an active shooter is in the same building

Determine if the room you are in can be locked and if so, secure the room and one person in the room should call 911, advise the dispatcher of what is taking place, and inform them of your location; remain in place until police give the “all clear.” If able, one person should attempt to call campus security and the director of public relations (numbers listed above).

If the room can’t be locked, determine if there is a nearby location that can be reached safely and be secured, or if you can safely exit the building. If you decide to move from your current location, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind. Do not attempt to carry anything while fleeing; move quickly, keep your hands visible, and follow the instructions of any police officers you may encounter. Do not attempt to remove injured people; instead, leave wounded victims where they are and notify authorities of their location as soon as possible. Do not try to drive off campus until advised it is safe to do so by police or campus administrators.

If an active shooter enters your office or classroom

Try to remain calm. Dial 911, if possible, and alert police to the shooter’s location; if you can’t speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to what’s taking place. If there is no opportunity for escape or hiding, it might be possible to negotiate with the shooter; attempting to overpower the shooter with force should be considered a very last resort, after all other options have been exhausted.

If the shooter leaves the area, proceed immediately to a safer place and do not touch anything that was in the vicinity of the shooter. No matter what the circumstances, if you decide to flee during an active shooting situation, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind. Do not attempt to carry anything while fleeing; move quickly, keep your hands visible, and follow the instructions of any police officers you may encounter. Do not attempt to remove injured people; instead, leave wounded victims where they are and notify authorities of their location as soon as possible. Do not try to drive off campus until advised it is safe to do so by police or campus administrators.

What to expect from responding police officers

Police officers responding to an active shooter are trained in a procedure known as Rapid Deployment and proceed immediately to the area in which shots were last heard; their purpose is to stop the shooting as quickly as possible. The first responding officers will normally be in teams of four (4); they may be dressed in regular patrol uniforms, or they may be wearing external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets and other tactical equipment. The officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns or handguns, and might also be using pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation.

Regardless of how they appear, remain calm, do as the officers tell you, and do not be afraid of them. Follow all directions given to you to avoid the use of force as the responding officers will use all methods necessary to secure the immediate surrounding area. Put down any bags or packages you may be carrying and keep your hands visible at all times; if you know where the shooter is, tell the officers. The first officers to arrive will not stop to aid injured people; rescue teams composed of other officers and emergency medical personnel will follow the first officers into secured areas to treat and remove injured persons.

Keep in mind that even once you have escaped to a safer location, the entire area is still a crime scene; police will usually not let anyone leave until the situation is fully under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Until you are released, remain at whatever assembly point authorities designate.

Bomb Threat

If you receive a bomb threat by phone:

Listen carefully to the details of the threat and try to keep the caller talking until you can get answers to the following questions:

• When is the bomb going to explode?
• Where is it right now?
• What does it look like?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What will cause it to explode?
• Did you place the bomb?
• Why did you place the bomb?
• What is your name?
• What is your relationship to the University?

Jot down whether the caller is male or female; are there any distinctive voice characteristics like accent, slurring, etc. Is there any background noise? If so what?

When the caller hangs up dial *57 to activate a trace and follow prompts.

After activating the trace call the Police 911 and advise them of pertinent information concerning the type and location of the bomb. Also, give the dispatcher your name, location, and phone extension. Do not hang up until the dispatcher releases you.

Let campus security know of the threat as well as the Campus President, CFO, and the Physical Plant Director of the threat. Keep the threat quiet and follow the direction of the police.

If you see, receive, or have a report of a Suspicious Package:

A suspicious package is a backpack, box, bag, package, left unattended and seems otherwise out of place. Sometimes suspicious packages come through the mail. They can come as follows.

• Unexpected
• No return address
• Post mark does not match return address
• Restrictive markings such as Personal or Confidential
• Mailed from a foreign country
• Excessive postage
• Misspelled words
• Addressed to title only or incorrect title
• Badly typed or poorly written addresses
• Ridged, bulky, lopsided, or uneven package
• Soft spots, bulges, or excessive weight
• Oily stains, discolorations, or strange odors
• Crystals or powder like residue
• Excessive tape or string
• Protruding wires
• Ticking sound

If you see one or more of these signs, you should:

• Stop, do not handle the items
• Do not open, smell, or taste
• Call 911 first, then your supervisor
• Wash your hands with soap and water

Remember it is better to be safe than sorry.

Fire Emergency

If a fire alarm sounds always assume the alarm is real and exit the building quickly without running. You must exit, even if you know the alarm is false. Use normal exits if you can, but never use the elevator.

• Before opening a door, use the back of your hand to feel near the top for heat. If the door is hot or warm, or smoke is present, do not open.
• If the door is cool, open it slowly.
• Close all doors behind you to limit the spread of fire and smoke.
• If you must exit through heat or smoke, cover your nose and mouth with a towel or an item of clothing, then crawl or crouch.
• Move well away from the building and meet your fellow residents at the designated location.
• Do not re-enter until the alarm is turned off.

Know the location of emergency exits, alarm pull boxes, and fire extinguishers. Report damaged equipment immediately.

Never prop open hallway doors. Many have automatic closing devices designed to prevent the spread of fire.

Many items, such as candles and halogen lamps, are prohibited from rooms and residence halls.

Never store bicycles or other items in hallways or stairwells.

Inclement Weather Procedures

The decision to close the university because of dangerous or threatening weather conditions will be made via the Wesleyan Alert System by 6 a.m. CST for daytime closing and 2 p.m. CST for cancellation of evening classes and events (including weekends).

Since Nebraska Wesleyan University is a residential campus, the residence halls and the student center will remain open during university closings, and walks will be shoveled for safety by the night or morning snow removal crew. 

Lightning Procedures

DO take these safe actions:

• If you see a thunderstorm approaching or hear it on the news you should not start any outdoor tasks that can’t be stopped rapidly. Seek safe shelter in a fully enclosed building if possible. Vehicles can also be used if a safe building structure is not accessible.
• If you find someone struck by lightning, call 911 immediately. Assess the situation for safety. If safe, administer CPR/AED if needed and call campus security.
• Retreat to dense areas of smaller trees that are surrounded by larger trees, or retreat to low-lying areas.
• Remaining on your feet, crouch low to the ground, curl up in a ball-like position with as little of your body touching the ground as possible. Beware of flooding.

AVOID the following dangers if possible:

• Stay away from tall trees, hilltops, utility poles, cellular phone towers, cranes, small and large equipment, ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops.
• Do not seek shelter in a parking garage or concrete structures due to the metal reinforcements.
• Never lie flat on the ground and avoid open areas, such as fields.
• Immediately get out of and away from bodies of water.
• Beware of exposed wiring, fencing or plumbing.
• Refrain from taking shelter in metal sheds, pavilions, tents, covered porches, or other unsecured areas of shelter.
• Do not use corded phones, except in the case of an emergency. Cellular phones are ok to use.

Athletic Events

In the case of inclement weather that includes lightning, a member of the Athletic Training Staff will monitor lightning activity, follow, and adhere to the ‘Lightning Safety for Athletics and Recreations’ position statement from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). The officials, administration and athletic trainer will discuss and decide on the continuation or termination of such event. The athletic trainer on site will make the decision to remove a team or individuals from an athletic site or event. If the competition is postponed, all spectators, officials, athletes, and support staff will evacuate the facility and seek shelter in a designated area or safe shelter until the game or event resumes. For more specific instructions for Athletic events, see the NWU Emergency Action Plan for facilities at http://nwusports.com/sports/2020/9/9/emergency-action-plans.

Lightning Suspension/Resumption Procedure

The preferred method of determining a lightning strike is by using weather-related apps. These apps will provide information about the distance from your location to the nearest lightning strikes.

However, as an alternative to a weather app, the Flash-to-Bang method for detecting lightning in the area is also acceptable. To utilize this method, the weather watcher begins counting when a lightning flash is spotted. The counting is stopped when the associated clap of thunder is heard. The number of seconds elapsed between the flash of lightning and bang of thunder is then divided by 5. This number represents the distance, in miles, from the lightning hit. For example, when the Flash-to-Bang count reaches 50 seconds, the lightning has struck 10 miles away.

As an organization, NWU will wait 30 minutes after the last lightning flash is seen or the last roll of thunder is heard to resume activity. It may seem safe to return to activity after the storm has passed, but this is not true. Lightning can and does strike at least 10 miles away from the storm even after the clouds have moved on. This phenomenon is known as a “bolt out of the blue”. Therefore, every time lightning is seen, or thunder is heard, the clock should be reset.

Employees Working Outdoors

Supervisors and workers need to be aware and take shelter if a thunderstorm approaches or lightning strikes. Physical Plant employees will be informed of an approaching storm by radio or personal contact. The employees should take shelter in any of the campus buildings and wait for the storm to safely pass prior to resuming outdoor activities.

Additional Lightning Information

See Lightning Policy.

Medical Emergency Procedures

Life threatening situations:

• Call 911 for assistance
• After calling 911, call campus security at (402) 432-9238

Missing Person(s)

If a person has not been seen by a roommate, classmate, faculty member, family member or other campus staff in a reasonable amount of time, their absence may be cause for concern.

If a member of the NWU community has reason to believe that a student is missing, whether or not the student resides on campus, efforts will be made to locate the student to determine their state of health and well-being through collaboration with LPD, Campus Security and Residential Education. If a student resides on campus, either Campus Security or the residential education coordinator will conduct a welfare check into the student’s room. If the student resides off campus, Campus Security will work with local police to request a welfare check. University officials will also attempt to determine the student’s whereabouts through contact with friends, faculty or on-campus employers of that student verifying class attendance, work schedules, organizational or academic meetings.

If located, verification of the student’s state of health and intention of returning to a campus routine is made. When appropriate, a referral to Counseling Services will be made.

If not located, notification will be made to the emergency contact provided by the student within 24 hours of receiving the initial report. If the student resides off campus, emergency contacts and family will be encouraged to report the situation to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Suzanne’s Law requires law enforcement to notify the national Crime Information Center when someone between the ages of 18 and 21 is reported missing (Federal law as of 2003 and part of the national “Amber Alert.”)

Students are encouraged to register an emergency contact in case they are determined missing. Students living on campus should register their emergency contact person with the Residential Education Office. Students residing off campus should inform the Registrar’s Office of their emergency contact.

Prevention and Planning

Creating a safe campus environment is everyone’s responsibility. To ensure a safe campus, make sure to:

• Lock your vehicles, make sure your windows are up, and remove any valuables. If you must leave items in your vehicle, lock them in the trunk.
• Lock the doors to your residence hall rooms when leaving (even if it’s just to do laundry) and when going to bed; Never prop open exterior residence hall doors and do not let unknown individuals follow you into locked buildings.
• Avoid walking alone at night. If you are followed, head to a well-lit location where there are people present.
• When approaching your vehicle, look for suspicious persons or circumstances in and around your vehicle.
• If someone is loitering near your vehicle or your vehicle has been broken into, return to a building and call security or the police non-emergency number at 402.441.6000.
• If you have a bike on campus, lock it and secure it at two points.
• Record serial numbers of your valuables.
• It is recommended that you store the following two numbers in your cell phone:
  • Nebraska Wesleyan Security – (402) 432-9238
  • Residence Life Coordinator on-call phone – (402) 601-2114
• Please refrain from using restrooms and locker rooms that are closed for maintenance/cleaning. Please use the other restrooms located throughout each building.

Tornado Procedures

Tornado Watch

This indicates there is a chance of dangerous weather with damaging winds. The Wesleyan Alert System will alert students and employees to be aware of a potential tornado warning. 

Tornado Warning

If a tornado has been sighted, radio warning and the Public Address Siren (which is tested every first Wednesday of the month) will sound. The Wesleyan Alert System will alert students and employees to seek shelter. The Wesleyan Alert System will then be used to signal when the situation is clear and will give further directions if needed.

Where to Seek Shelter

If you are outdoors without shelter, lie flat in a ditch or low area. Protect your head.

If you are in your car, leave your vehicle for a ditch or low spot. Never try to drive away from a tornado.

If you are in a residence hall/apartment building or Greek living unit go to the designated shelter area (often the basement). Stay away from all windows, doors and outside walls. Protect your head.

If you are in a large building, interior hallways on the lowest floors or a basement offer the best protection.

Remain in place of shelter until you receive all clear signal or until you are sure the tornado has passed.

In the event of a tornado, please take shelter in the following areas:

Building	Location
Acklie Hall of Science	Basement Hallways
Art Studios	NW Corner of basement Main floor closet
Athletic Practice Facility	Locker rooms Restrooms Offices
Burt Hall	Basement rooms without windows
Centennial Hall	Basement stairwells Laundry room
Cochrane-Woods Library	Basement and costume library
Elder Theatre Center	Tunnel Interior hallways Restrooms Interior Rooms
Grounds Shop	1st floor back hallways of the townhouses Oil changing pit
Johnson Hall	Basement bathrooms Basement hallways Tunnel between Johnson and Pioneer
Knight Field House	Restrooms Locker rooms
Lucas Hall	Restrooms For additional space, go to the Student Center
Maintenance/Security Office (Physical Plant)	Under work benches For additional space, go to the Student Center
Marketing/Counseling	Basement
Old Main	1st floor hallways 1st floor restrooms without windows
Olin Lecture Halls A & B	Restrooms Basement hallways
Pioneer Hall	Laundry room Basement restrooms Tunnel between Pioneer and Johnson
Plainsman Hall	Basement rooms Basement hallways
PPE Shop - 4825 St Paul Ave	Basement
Rogers Center For Fine Art	Lower-level hallways Lower-level rooms
Smith Curtis Administration Building	Callen Conference Center Interior Hallways and classrooms on the Lower Level without windows
Story Student Center	TV lounge area on the lower level Office areas on the lower level without windows Prairie Wolf A and B on the lower level Restrooms on the lower level
Student Apartments (2800 N 54th St)	Basement
Student Apartments (5019 Huntington Ave)	In an apartment on the lower level Laundry room
Student Apartments (5033 Huntington Ave)	Laundry room In an apartment on the lower level South hallways lower level
Student Apartments (5240 Madison Ave)	In an apartment on the lower level Laundry room
Student Apartments (5400 Madison Ave)	Basement
Student Apartments (5448 Madison Ave)	Bottom of the interior stairs In an apartment on the lower level
Studio Theatre	Restrooms Hallways by the restrooms Kitchen area
Suites	1st floor hallways 1st floor suites bathrooms 1st floor restrooms
Theatre Guest House	Tub in the bathroom
Theatre Rehearsal House	Bottom of the Basement Stairs Tub in the bathroom
Townhouses (Finley House)	1st floor back hallways 1st floor units bathrooms
Townhouses (Heuermann House)	1st floor back hallways 1st floor units bathrooms
Townhouses (Holder House)	1st floor back hallways 1st floor units bathrooms
Townhouses (Huge House)	1st floor back hallways 1st floor units bathrooms
Townhouses (Unvert House)	1st floor back hallways 1st floor units bathrooms
Weary Center	Main floor restrooms Back locker rooms Back hallways

 

Additional Tornado Information

See Tornado Policy.
See Tornado Procedures.

Weapons

Possession, use, or distribution of explosives (including fireworks and ammunition), guns (including air, BB, paintball, facsimile weapons and pellet guns), or other weapons or dangerous objects such as arrows, axes, machetes, nunchucks, throwing stars, or knives with a blade of longer than three inches, including the storage of any item that falls within the category of a weapon in a vehicle parked on University property. In addition to the items listed above, any item that is used to intentionally and deliberately harm or threaten another student can be categorized as a weapon. Firearms or other weapons confiscated by Nebraska Wesleyan officials will be turned over to the Lincoln Police Department for appropriate disposal. Students will be referred to the Student Conduct Board.

Alert Systems

Wesleyan Alert System

What is the Wesleyan Alert System?

Wesleyan Alert is Nebraska Wesleyan’s urgent notification system available to all employees and students. You will be notified in the event of an emergency or safety concern via a text message to your cell phone and to your NWU email address.

How does it work?

During an urgent situation, a text message will be sent via the Wesleyan Alert System to student and employee cell phones with an official announcement. Updates will be sent for the duration of the situation.

The Wesleyan Alert System is an opt-out service. The system utilizes contact information on file with Self-Service. To update contact information, please: 

1. Log into Self-Service.
2. On the left-hand side of Self-Service, choose the person icon.
3. Under the person icon, choose User Profile.
4.  Review and edit as appropriate, then confirm your address; email address and phone number(s). Be sure you have a cell phone number listed.
5. Choose Confirm, located on the right-hand side of the screen.

To unsubscribe to the Wesleyan Alert System, text STOP to the Wesleyan Alert System message that is received. Note: only students and those employed by the university can receive these messages.

Reporting Options

Report a Concern

Report a Concern is an anonymous reporting tool found at the bottom of any NWU webpage. The tool allows the Threat Assessment Team to collect and identify possible threats to the university before they occur, mitigating the effect of the threat. 

Visit Report a Concern or more information on the Report a Concern process and how to make a report.

Bias Education and Response Team (BERT)

A bias incident is conduct, speech, or expression that targets an individual or group based on race/ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, cultural background or other characteristics.

See Bias Education and Response Team for more information on BERT procedures and how to make a report.

Student Conduct

Students who choose to interfere with the rights of other members of the community will be referred to the Student Conduct System.

Visit the Code of Student Conduct policy for more information on the Student Conduct System and how to make a report.

Title IX/Sexual Misconduct/Gender-based Discrimination

Everyone who learns and works here must take responsibility to keep our community free from illegal discrimination based on sex or gender, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, sexual exploitation, and dating and domestic violence. These behaviors are prohibited at this university because they are antithetical to the learning, living and working environments we value.

See Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response for more information on how to make a report.

Campus Security Authority and Reporting Crimes

What are Campus Security Authorities

Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are individuals who are responsible for reporting crimes to campus administrators as required by the Clery Act Law. It is important to note that CSAs must also report online crime applicable to the Clery-reportable crimes listed below.

CSAs are:

• employees who are specified as an individual to whom students and employees should report criminal offenses, and/or;
• officials who have significant responsibilities for student and campus activities.

What is required of a Campus Security Authority?

CSAs are required to report any crime covered by the Jeanne Clery Act that involves NWU faculty, staff or students to a Clery Compliance Administrator. Clery Compliance Administrators include:

• James Ruzicka, director of the physical plant, (402) 219-1334, jruzicka [at] os-tw.com (jruzicka[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)
• Roxanne Styskal, assistant director of the physical plant, (402) 499-9815, rrs [at] os-tw.com (rrs[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)
• Maria Harder, assistant vice president for human resources and head Title IX coordinator (402) 465-2117, mharder [at] os-tw.com (mharder[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)
• Natasha Moreno, deputy Title IX coordinator, (402) 465-2356, nmoreno [at] os-tw.com (nmoreno[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)

A complete list of Clery-reportable crimes are listed in the “Clery-reportable crimes” section on this webpage.

CSAs are also required to attend Campus Security Authority training annually.

Clery-reportable crimes

CSAs are not responsible for correctly categorizing Clery-reportable crimes when reporting to a Clery Compliance Administrator. However, the following definitions may be helpful to determine when to report.

Term	Definition
Aggravated Assault	Unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
Arson	Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another or other similar crimes.
Burglary	Unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft.
Criminal homicide (murder, non-negligent manslaughter and manslaughter by negligence)	The willful negligent or non-negligent killing of one human being by another.
Dating violence	Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the reporting party’s statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. For the purposes of this definition: Dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. Dating violence does not include acts covered under the definition of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence	A felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by: a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim; a person with whom the victim shares a child in common; a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner; a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving monies (under VAWA) in which the crime of violence occurred; or any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred.
Drug Abuse Violations	The violation of laws prohibiting the production, distribution and/or use of certain controlled substances and the equipment or devices utilized in their preparation and/or use. The unlawful cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, use, possession, transportation or importation of any controlled drug or narcotic substance. Arrests for violations of state and local laws, specifically, those relating to the unlawful possession, sale, growing, manufacturing, making, and use of narcotic drugs.
Liquor Law Violations	The violation of state or local laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession or use of alcoholic beverages, not including driving under the influence and drunkenness.
Motor Vehicle Theft	Theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
Robbery	Taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
Sexual Assault – Rape	The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus, with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim. This offense includes the rape of both males and females.
Sexual Assault – Fondling	The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her age or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental incapacity.
Sexual Assault – Incest	Sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.
Sexual Assault – Statutory rape	Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.
Stalking	Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress. Course of conduct means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about, a person, or interferes with a person’s property. Reasonable person means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the victim. Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.
Weapons Law Violations	The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices or other deadly weapons. This classification encompasses weapons offenses that are regulatory in nature.

Hate Crimes

Any of the above crimes plus the four crimes listed below that manifest evidence that the victim/victims were intentionally selected because of the perpetrator’s bias.

Term	Definition
Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property	To willfully or maliciously destroy, damage, deface, or otherwise injure real or personal property without the consent of the owner or the person having custody or control of it.
Intimidation	To unlawfully place another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words and/or other conduct, but without displaying a weapon or subjecting the victim to actual physical attack.
Larceny/Theft	The unlawful taking, carrying, leading or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.
Simple Assault	The unlawful physical attack by one person upon another where neither the offender displays a weapon, nor the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration, or loss of consciousness.

Categories of Bias

Term	Definition
Disability	A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of persons based on their physical or mental impairments, whether such disability is temporary or permanent, congenital or acquired by heredity, accident, injury, advanced age or illness.
Ethnicity	A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, common culture (often including a shared religion) and/or ideology that stresses common ancestry. The concept of ethnicity differs from the closely related term “race” in that “race” refers to a grouping based mostly upon biological criteria, while “ethnicity” also encompasses additional cultural factors.
Gender	A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a person or group of persons based on their actual or perceived gender, e.g., male or female.
Gender Identity	A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a person or group of persons based on their actual or perceived gender identity, e.g., bias against transgender or gender nonconforming individuals. Gender non-conforming describes a person who does not conform to the gender-based expectations of society, e.g., a woman dressed in traditionally male clothing or a man wearing makeup. A gender non-conforming person may or may not be a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person but may be perceived as such.
National Origin	A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of people based on their actual or perceived country of birth. This bias may be against people that have a name or accent associated with a national origin group, participate in certain customs associated with a national origin group, or because they are married to or associate with people of a certain national origin.
Race	A preformed negative attitude toward a group of persons who possess common physical characteristics, e.g., color of skin, eyes, and/or hair; facial features, etc., genetically transmitted by descent and heredity which distinguish them as a distinct division of humankind, e.g., Asians, blacks or African Americans, whites.
Religion	A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of persons who share the same religious beliefs regarding the origin and purpose of the universe and the existence or nonexistence of a supreme being, e.g., Catholics, Jews, Protestants, atheists.
Sexual Orientation	A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of persons based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. Sexual Orientation is the term for a person’s physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to members of the same and/or opposite sex, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual (straight) individuals.

Threat Assessment Team

If you witness an incident in progress, a medical emergency, or have been a victim of a safety or security incident, call 911 immediately.

Threat Assessment Team mission

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s Threat Assessment Team (TAT) facilitates a multidisciplinary, coordinated response when an incidence of speech or behavior indicates a threat or tangible harm, significant reputational issue, and/or public facing concern to students, employees or other community members, or to buildings, facilities or personal property of the community. The team is comprised of representatives from the administration, student life, physical plant, human resources, Title IX and public relations.

Our mission is to identify, evaluate and develop and implement action plans to address threats to the campus community.

Threat Assessment Team responsibilities

• Assessment of the available information through the Report A Concern feature for potential threats of harm to students, employees or other community members, or to buildings, facilities or personal property of the community.
• Collaboration with other reporting structures on campus, such as the Bias Education Response Team (BERT), Human Resources, Student Conduct, and the Title IX Office, to review and complete a Threat and Lethality Assessment.
• Collection of passive and active information that may lead to potential harm.
• Partner with the Lincoln Threat Assessment Team to identify patterns of information that may impact the safety of Nebraska Wesleyan University community members.
• Develop specific strategies and implement measures of risk management to mitigate potential threats.

How the Threat Assessment Team uses the Report a Concern tool

NWU’s Threat Assessment Team (TAT) team uses the information provided by the Report a Concern tool to collect information regarding potential threats on campus. This framework is a tool for reporting and identifying possible threats to the university before they occur, mitigating the effect of the threat. This reporting tool can be found using a hyperlink at the bottom of any NWU webpage.

In order for the Threat Assessment Team to identify patterns of information that may impact campus safety, information from the Report a Concern tool, as well as other observations will be evaluated using threat and lethality assessment questions. Below is a sample of questions that are considered during the assessment.

Sample threat assessment considerations

• Did the alleged acts or behaviors include force, coercion or violence, or was there a credible threat of force, coercion or violence?
• Were the alleged acts or behaviors for self-defense?
• Was any object, device or weapon used during the act, or does the accused party possess or have access to objects, devices or weapons (i.e. possess a gun) that could be used for force or violence?
• Did any involved party receive medical attention? If so, what was the severity of injuries? What treatment was received?
• Are there any factors present that may increase the risk that the perpetrator will commit additional acts that involve force, coercion or violence or that endanger the safety of others?
• Has there been use of force, coercion or violence reports about the involved party?"