Campus Emergencies

General Principles

In emergencies, from any locales of MIU operations, call the emergency number 911 (in the US) without delay. Remember to call 911 immediately if anyone’s life or safety is being threatened; if anyone needs medical assistance or an ambulance; if the suspect(s) are still there; if the suspect(s) have a weapon.

Submit your report of criminal activities or security threats promptly to Campus Security via the online reporting form or by calling the security officer on duty at (641) 472-1115 and its Director, Rig Gelfand at (641) 233-8594.

Report any criminal activity on MIU Campus and in Headley Hall directly to the Fairfield Police / Jefferson County Sheriff, as well. The police and sheriff departments are in the same building located at the Law Center at 1200 West Grimes Avenue, in Fairfield, phone number (641) 472-4146 (nonemergency) or 911 for emergencies.

Reports of any emergencies and criminal activities on field trips and off-campus courses should be addressed to the course leader or its designee, and local emergency number (for example: in the US 911, in India 100 and Europe 112).

Please note that according to Iowa criminal law, if the victim of a crime wishes the prosecution of the perpetrator, the victim must submit a complaint with the local law enforcement agencies. For example, if someone steals a wallet from a person’s coat on campus, the victim must report the case to the Police to start a criminal investigation and enable prosecution of the perpetrator. A report made to Campus Security will not start a police criminal investigation procedure, though a University disciplinary process may be commenced.  Campus Security may report such cases for the enforcement agencies review, in its discretion, and consideration of preventive measures, but this may not lead to a criminal investigation of the alleged perpetrator.

How Does Security Handle Personal Information?

The Security Office shares personal information of the reporter only with those who need to know it to address the concern or as part of the investigative process. For example, The Dean of Faculty or HR Director will be involved if faculty or staff must be disciplined or the employee victim needs accommodation. The Vice President of Enrollment and Student Affairs will be notified if a student violated the law, the University policies or a student needs accommodation.

The Importance of Accurate and Prompt Reporting

MIU encourages accurate and prompt reporting of crimes. MIU recommends victims of crime to submit their reports as soon as possible after the triggering event when they choose to do so.

In case the victim is unable to report the crime, MIU encourages witnesses and other bystanders of the crime, to file an accurate and timely report. MIU encourages the members of the campus community who know about a crime to report it to both the appropriate local law enforcement agencies and MIU’s Security Department.

Furthermore, MIU encourages accurate and prompt reporting of the threat of crimes to law enforcement and the MIU Security Office.

This accurate and prompt reporting allows MIU to consider whether any ongoing threat to the community is present, so the University can take appropriate preventative measures, secure a location, ask assistance from law enforcement, and/or start a timely warning or an emergency notification procedure.

Who Do I Report To?

Crimes, other incidents or threats are to be reported to any of the following
MIU operations:

• A security officer on duty: phone 641-472-1115, or ext. 1115 from campus phones.
• A security officer in Hildenbrand Hall (room no. 103 in Hildenbrand Hall): phone 641-226-4086.
• Director of Safety and Security: Rig Gelfand, rgelfand@miu.edu, phone 641-472-1117, or ext. 1117 from campus phones, or 641-233-8594.
• Director of Regulatory Compliance: Beata Nacsa, bnacsa@miu.edu, phone 641-472-7000 ext. 4275 or ext. 4275 from campus phones.
• Title IX Coordinator: Caterina Tomaselli, croesler@miu.edu, 641-233-8033.

Online Reporting of Crimes, Other Incidents or Threats

MIU’s Security Office created an online reporting form on which crimes, other incidents, and security threats could be reported to the University. The online reporting form is available at the Security Department’s website

Use this form to report a crime, other incidents of safety or any behavior of concern that are concerning MIU Campus or MIU Community. Report an incident through this form if the incident ended, and you and others are safe. You may also use this form to report concerning behavior or situation which might escalate later, but not in the immediate future. Accidents of personal injury may also be reported via this form.

The Security Office does not monitor the incident reports 24/7.

For a crime in progress, or to report an emergency, call 911. For other urgent matters please call the security officer on duty at 641-472-1115, or Rig Gelfand, the Director of Security at 641-233-8594.

We appreciate your taking the time and effort to fill the reporting form or calling Security. This will help MIU prevent crime and eliminate other security threats. The more information you provide, the more effectively we will be able to respond.

Voluntary and Confidential Reporting

MIU encourages anyone who knows a crime, violation of MIU policy, incidents committed on any location of MIU operations, or security or safety concerns, to report such matters confidentially to:

• Director of Safety and Security: Rig Gelfand, rgelfand@miu.edu, phone 641-472-1117, or ext. 1117 from campus phones, or 641-233-8594.
• Director of Regulatory Compliance: Beata Nacsa, bnacsa@miu.edu, phone 641-472-7000 ext. 4275 or ext. 4275 from campus phones.

Confidential reporting means that while the reporter’s identity is known to the Security Office, the reporter’s identity is not shared with any third party. Also, any details in the report that could lead to the identification of the reporter will be removed before the report is communicated with any third party.

Complainants who wish to volunteer information confidentially may speak with MIU’s Support Services.  Confidentiality will be retained unless there is a concern for the complainant’s safety or the safety of others. If the counselor learns during their counseling sessions that a crime (including VAWA offenses like domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking) was committed, they might remind their clients, if and when they deem it appropriate, that the nature, time and location of the crime may be provided to Campus Security through the Director of the Personal Support Services for inclusion in the University’s crime log and statistics with all other information, including the reporter’s identity, remaining confidential. The report will also be evaluated by the Director of Security or designee whether timely warning notice should be issued.

Anonymous Reporting

You may submit the online reporting form either with your contact information or anonymously. Please note that anonymously submitted forms may limit our effectiveness in responding to the reported concern. For example, if a student believes that someone is stalking them, but he or she does not share the personal information about the victim and the perpetrator, the University will unable to issue a no-contact order and take further steps to address the unlawful behavior in the future and remedy the harm done.

Please share your contact information with us if you wish us to speak with you about your concern. If you want the Security Department to keep your identity confidential, please indicate on the form that you have made a voluntary and confidential report.

What Happens After Making a Report?

Upon receiving the report, the Security Office will review and investigate it to determine an appropriate course of action. Such a course of action may include preventative steps, securing a location, asking assistance from law enforcement, and/or starting a timely warning or an emergency notification procedure.

Reports about unlawful activity or violation of the Student, Staff, or Faculty Handbooks received by the Security Officer will be referred to the member of the administration who supervises disciplinary matters. Student matters will be referred to as the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Affairs, faculty to the Dean of Faculty, staff to the Human Resources Director, or their assignee. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking cases are referred to the Title IX Coordinator.

When a potentially dangerous threat to the University community arises, timely warnings and/or emergency notifications will be issued through e-mail and text announcements via the MIU e-mail system, RAVE Mobile Safety mass notification system, Oohlala Campus app push notification function, flyers, in-class announcements, or other appropriate means.

Reporting Crime Allegations to Campus Security Authorities (CSAs)

Campus Security Authority (CSA) is a term introduced by federal law and covers those members of the University community to whom a crime could be reported. If a crime is brought to the attention of a “campus security authority” by a victim, witness, other third parties, or the offender, the crime is considered being officially “reported” to the University.

Campus Security Authorities are requested to report all incidents to the Security Office without delay that are reported to them or which they become aware of.

The Security and Safety Office collects the crime reports and makes them available for the public through the daily crime log, the annual security report, and the Department of Education’s website.

MIU has identified those members of staff and faculty, who have significant responsibility for campus security in general and/or student and campus activities. They are, therefore, considered Campus Security Authorities by law. This list includes all members of the Security and Student Life Departments, the Title IX Coordinator, and other designated members of staff and faculty. Course leaders of noncampus courses and overnight trips are also campus security authorities. The University reviews the list of campus security authorities at the beginning of every academic year and updates it.