This section provides an opportunity to present our policies not posted anywhere else on this Web site. We also have a page dedicated to crime statistics as required by the Cleary Act.

Topics covered on this page include:

 POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING CRIME

Crime is a reality at Montana State University-Bozeman. Preventing crime is everyone's responsibility. Unreported crime is a criminal's greatest ally. Suspicion that a criminal act has taken place is the only justification needed to call the University Police Department. Whether you are a victim, witness, or have information about a criminal offense or suspicious activity, contact the University Police Department.

     

  • On-campus, call 911 for emergencies or 2121 for routine business
  • Off-campus, call 994-2121

Other organizations and individuals to whom students and employees may report criminal offenses to:

     

  • Dean of Students office, 994-2826
  • Residence Life Director, 994-2661
  • Residence Hall Directors, see directory for specific residence hall
  • Family and Graduate Housing Director, 994-3730
  • Greek Coordinator, at the Dean of Students office, 994-2828

On a 24-hour basis, dispatchers of this department can instantly dispatch the University Police, fire and emergency personnel, as well as officers of the local sheriff and police departments. All emergency calls from campus should be made to extension 911 or 2121 and off-campus to 994-2121. The Montana State University-Bozeman Police Department is located at the corner of 7th and Kagy, the Roy Huffman Building. The University Police Department's communications include telephones, two-way radios and the CJIN (Criminal Justice Information Network) system.

When calling the University Police Department, please provide the following information:

     

  • Your name
  • Location of incident
  • Type of incident
  • Description of suspect, vehicles or other pertinent information
  • Return telephone number

Suspicion of crime does not require proof. If you suspect a crime has been committed or is being committed, call the University Police Department immediately. Make a difference, CALL. Only concerned citizens can prevent crime.

If you are a victim or witness of an assault: Report the incident immediately. Attempt to gather pertinent information. Information which includes sex, race, hair color, length and texture, body size, clothing description, scars and other noticeable characteristics, modes of travel, type of vehicle, color and license number.

Suspicious persons: If you see anyone acting suspiciously, contact the University Police at 911 or 994-2121. Do not approach the individual yourself. Report the type of suspicious behavior and the location. Relay pertinent information concerning the person's age, sex, dress, vehicle and direction of travel.

Bomb threats: If you receive a bomb threat, it is important to obtain as much information as possible from the caller. Things to ask are:

     

  • location of bomb
  • time of explosion
  • type of bomb

Make mental notes about the caller's voice and background noises that you may hear. Call the University Police Department immediately. Do not panic. The University Police will search the area, notify properly trained personnel, and notify emergency services. The University Police, in conjunction with the building supervisor and administration, will determine if evacuation is necessary.

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MSU-BOZEMAN RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF CRIME

The Montana State University-Bozeman Police Department will respond in a timely manner to all reports of crime on campus or public safety concerns.

All reports of criminal activity reported to the University Police Department will be investigated and, if the investigation confirms a violation of the criminal code, the matter will be referred to the Gallatin County Attorney for prosecution.

MSU-Bozeman will make timely reports to the campus community regarding the occurrence of crime on campus. Crime reports and information about criminal offenses are referred to campus newspaper for publication, except those of a sensitive nature, and will appear periodically in the EXPONENT.

"SPECIAL ALERTS" may be issued in order to alert the campus population to incidents that may jeopardize the safety of persons and/or the security of property. These special alerts may use a variety of media sources to provide a timely alert to the campus; these may include printed bulletins, web page advisories, newspaper notices, or television presentations. A follow-up alert will be published to the campus population when the threat to safety no longer exists. 

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SECURITY OF AND ACCESS TO CAMPUS FACILITIES

The Residence Hall Building Security Policy describes the specific security policies for each of the residence halls, including policies pertaining to lock-down, safety escort requirements, and check-in policies. A copy of the policy is available from the Residence Life Office. Maintenance access to residential areas requires 24-hour notice prior to entry unless it's an emergency. For more information on facilities maintenance, see the Residence Life and Family Housing handbook.

Key management procedures are maintained. Access to master keys is limited. University police and custodial staff check exterior doors routinely. There are annual inspections of campus for landscaping, lighting and other pedestrian traffic security issues. Persons can report damage to locks and other security concerns to University police.

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UNIVERSITY POLICE OFFICERS' AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION

The University Police Department at Montana State University-Bozeman is assigned to the Vice President for Administration and Finance. The Director of University Police is responsible for the management of the University Police Department and reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Administration. However, all public safety services are closely coordinated with other key university administrators as well as local officials.

The University Police Department provides continuous year-round security and law enforcement protection to the Montana State University community. Twenty-four hour patrol and dispatch services are provided with access to municipal emergency services.

Under state mutual aid law, MSU police work with municipal and county law enforcement agencies as a matter of routine.

The Department's jurisdiction extends one mile beyond the University campus for University related activities. University police officers have full law enforcement authority within this jurisdiction and provide a full range of services to the campus.

University Police Officers are Post certified Peace Officers for the State of Montana and sworn to all of the responsibilities and powers of a Peace Officer in Montana, including the duty to maintain public order and the power to arrest. Both professional and formal education is stressed for all University officers.

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CRIME PREVENTION

The University's crime prevention program routinely stresses community awareness and interaction through the dissemination of materials and presentations are designed to familiarize students, faculty and staff, with their responsibility in reducing criminal opportunity. Such programs include the department's active role in the local crime prevention and crime stoppers program as well as the DUI task force. Our officers are involved in numerous presentations throughout the university community ranging from late night discussion sessions in residence halls to classroom presentations. Departmental officers have instructed at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. Crime prevention materials are distributed in an effort to inform the campus community to be aware of the potential for crime. The local media as well as university newspaper and radio are used as a means for presenting departmental activity and arrest reports.

The University Police Department sponsors a free bicycle registration program for students in an effort to discourage bicycle theft.

Montana State University-Bozeman stresses the philosophy that solving crime is a shared responsibility. Everyone in the campus community should play an active role in making the university environment safe and secure from criminal activity.

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EDUCATION AND INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS

Educational programs concerning personal safety, sexual assault, date/acquaintance rape and personal safety techniques are offered by a variety of groups and individuals on campus each year. Students residing in residence halls are provided with security brochures at check-in.

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UNIVERSITY CAMPUS CRIME STATISTICS

The Montana State University-Bozeman Police Department compiles and maintains crime statistics for certain specified crime-related activities occurring on campus. Statistics will be maintained for reported offenses of murder, rape, sex offenses (forcible and non-forcible), robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson, manslaughter and motor vehicle theft. Report and arrest statistics will be compiled for liquor law violations, and weapons violations.

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OFF CAMPUS UNIVERSITY RELATED CRIME STATISTICS

Montana State University-Bozeman has several small extended campus sites, which have an agricultural orientation rather than an academic orientation. The following provisions will be made for the annual security report

1. The manager of each extended site will maintain a log of any criminal activity which occurs during given reporting year

2. At the end of each reporting year, the statistics from each reporting unit will be compiled and reported in the annual security report.

Student organizations officially recognized by the University, with off-campus residential facilities, will be subject to both University and Bozeman Police jurisdiction. Crimes that are not responded to by the University Police will be reported through the Greek Coordinator to the University Police for reporting annual crime reporting purposes. the University Police will monitor crimes that take place at those facilities for the annual security report.

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ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS:

It is against state law to possess or consume alcohol under the age of 21. It is a violation of the University policy (Student Conduct Code, section III E2. and Alcohol and Drug policy) to use, possess, or distribute intoxicants, including alcohol, in the buildings or on the grounds of Montana State University except as expressly permitted by law or University policy. For additional information regarding MSU alcohol policy, see /policy/security_report/alcohol_drug_policies.html or MSU Policies, Alcohol and Drug Policy.

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DRUG VIOLATIONS

It is against state law and a violation of the University Policy (Student Conduct Code, section III E1. and Alcohol and Drug policy) to use, possess, or manufacture, distribute or sell narcotics or dangerous drugs except as expressly permitted by law. For additional information regarding MSU Drug policy, see /policy/security_report/alcohol_drug_policies.html or MSU Policies, Alcohol and Drug Policy.

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ALCOHOL-DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM-INSIGHT

The INSIGHT PROGRAM is a three level alcohol/drug intervention process, which is open to all MSU students. Students enter the program either by self-referral or referral from MSU offices or staff. The primary objective of the INSIGHT program is to give students personal support to bring their alcohol and drug use/abuse patterns to an appropriate level. The INSIGHT program consists of three increasing levels of intervention. Although most students may enter the program at Level I (Focus/seminar), students may enter the program at any level which is appropriate to their needs. For more information regarding this program see the INSIGHT web site: www.montana.edu/wwwfood/insight/program.html

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COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CONFIDENTIALITY:

Visits to the CPS are strictly confidential. The CPS adheres to the legal standards of the State of Montana concerning Privileged Communication (37-23-301) and to the ethical code of the American Psychological Association. This means that communications between counselor and client are privileged and safe-guarded, but with the following exceptions:

     

  • With the written consent of the client or, in the case of the client's death or mental incapacity, with the written consent of the client's personal representative or guardian;
  • That the counselor need not treat as confidential a communication otherwise confidential that reveals a threat or imminent harm to the client or others
  • That if the client is a minor and information acquired by the counselor indicates that the client was the victim of a crime, the counselor may be required to testify fully in relation thereto in any investigation, trial, or other legal proceeding in which the commission of such crime is the subject of inquiry
  • That if the client or his/her personal representative or guardian brings an action against a counselor for a claim arising out of the counselor-client relationship, the client is considered to have waived any privilege
  • To the extent that the privilege is otherwise waived by the client
  • As may otherwise be required by law

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