University Timely Warning Notice Policy

The university is required to issue Timely Warning Notices (TWNs) for Clery Act crimes that occur on UIC’s Clery geography that are reported to Campus Security Authorities or local police agencies and are considered by the university to represent a threat to students and employees. Crimes that are reported to a licensed mental health counselor or pastoral counselor in the context of a privileged (confidential) communication are not subject to the TWN requirements.

In the event a Clery Act crime is reported within UIC’s Clery Geography, that, in the judgment of the individuals identified in the tables below, constitutes a serious or continuing threat to students or employees, the university will issue a TWN to the entire campus community. TWNs will be issued via an all-campus email headed “[URGENT] Public Safety Advisory,” and may also be reported by the news media. In addition to UIC TWNs, UIC students at the Springfield Campus and Urbana Campus are automatically enrolled to receive University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) TWNs via mass email headed, “Campus Timely Warning Notice” (for Springfield Campus) and “Campus Safety Notice” (for Urbana Campus).

Clery Act crimes include: Criminal Homicide, including Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter, and Manslaughter by Negligence; Sexual Assault, including Rape, Fondling, Incest and Statutory Rape; Robbery; Aggravated Assault; Burglary; Motor Vehicle Theft; Arson; Hate Crimes; Hazing; Violence Against Women Act crimes, including Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking; and arrests and referrals for disciplinary action for weapons law violations, drug abuse violations, and liquor law violations.

UIC’s Clery Geography includes: (1) on-campus property, (2) public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus, and (3) noncampus buildings or property that UIC or a UIC-registered student organization owns or controls.

Whether the campus issues a TWN will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in light of all the facts surrounding the reported crime, including factors such as the nature of the crime, whether the perpetrator was apprehended, and the ongoing threat to the campus community. Cases of aggravated assault and sex offenses are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the facts of the case, including when and where the incident occurred, when it was reported, and the information available.

If there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on campus, the university is required to follow its emergency notification procedures. When the university follows its emergency notification procedures, it is not required to issue a TWN based on the same circumstances; however, the university will provide adequate follow up information to the community, as needed.

TWNs will be issued in a manner that is timely, that withholds the names and other identifying information of victims as confidential, and that will aid in the prevention of similar occurrences. The university will include the following information in a TWN, when such information is available: a description of the reported incident; relevant steps individuals can take to prevent similar occurrences; and a description of offenders, accomplices, vehicles, and any weapons used in the crime, without jeopardizing the confidentiality of the victim(s) or compromising law enforcement efforts. UIC will not routinely use race, ethnicity or national origin as a descriptor in public safety advisories.