Reporting Procedures
The campus provides several ways to report crimes and related problems. Individuals may contact the IU Police Department whenever they witness criminal activity or feel threatened by potential criminal activity, including sexual offenses. Observations ranging from crimes in progress to suspicious behavior to an open manhole can and should be reported to IUPD. You may contact IUPD at either 911 or (812) 855-4111.
If you are calling about an emergency, dial 911 from any campus phone. One hundred twelve phones at different accessible locations around campus connect directly to the IUPD dispatcher by dialing 911; 41 Blue Light Strobe, 35 Outdoor Security, 21 Vandal-Proof and 15 Courtesy phones. If the problem is not a matter of public safety nor within the IU Police Department’s primary jurisdiction, the dispatcher will transfer the call to the proper agency. All 911 calls accommodate TDD users who wish to contact IUPD.
Residence halls staff is available 24 hours a day to handle safety or security issues occurring in or near the campus residence centers. They also may be helpful if you wish to report a personal safety incident that has occurred elsewhere on campus. The center desks are open between 8:00 a.m. and midnight. The center desk telephone is forwarded to an on-call staff member when the office is closed.
The residential living areas in the residence hall are locked around the clock. All visitors in these areas must be escorted by a resident. Dining rooms, classrooms, and public lounges are accessible to the public. Additional safety information about the residence halls, including the guest policy, may be found in other campus publications, such as the residence halls handbook and calendar.
Facility Safety and Access
Physical Plant staff inspects the campus lighting system every two weeks. Call the Physical Plant Operations Center at 855-8728 to report a broken or otherwise ineffective light. Although the Operations Center is open 24 hours a day, only emergency repairs will be made on evenings or weekends.
Generally, all residence halls are supposed to be locked around the clock. However, there are exceptions to this policy. Contact a member of the Residence Life staff to learn the policy for a specific residence hall. Additional safety information about the residence halls, including the guest policy, may be found in other campus publications, such as the residence halls handbook and calendar.
Access to academic buildings is determined by individual building supervisors; contact the appropriate supervisor for specific information. Generally, however, faculty and staff are available in these buildings during the regular business hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Building Services staff, who are easily identified by their tan and brown uniforms, are present in the buildings during many of the remaining hours. You are encouraged to report to them any safety concerns or suggestions, or you may call the Building Services Division of the Physical Plant at 855-3121.
Law Enforcement Authority
The IU Police Department coordinates law enforcement and security on the Bloomington campus. All officers are trained and have full police authority. The Bloomington Police Department is the municipal police force for the City of Bloomington. BPD officers respond to off-campus calls, but also may assist IUPD officers with on-campus incidents. Calls to 911 made from campus phones will be received by IUPD; those made from cellular or off-campus phones are received by BPD.
Educational Programming
Students are educated on issues related to safety and wellness from the moment they arrive on campus. During new student orientation, students and parents attend sessions on topics related to campus safety such as an overview of campus safety, bystander intervention, sexual assault, alcohol use and discrimination/harassment. Undergraduate students are also required to take an online educational program and the “It’s On Us: Alcohol and Consent” in-person workshop on alcohol and drug use, sexual violence and bystander intervention during their first year at IU. Additional prevention and wellness programs are offered throughout the year to all undergraduate and graduate students.
The Bloomington campus has several initiatives that focus on creating a safe environment including the Student Welfare Initiative, which focuses on sexual violence and sexual assault prevention and response, and Culture of Care. Students can access information about sexual violence including the sexual misconduct policy, campus resources, reporting options and prevention programs at http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu. The Culture of Care initiative (http://care.indiana.edu) is a student-led, staff-supported initiative designed to foster Hoosier-to-Hoosier care in the areas of sexual well-being, drug and alcohol awareness, mental health, and respect by encouraging active bystander behaviors and connecting students to resources. All members of the campus community—students, faculty, and staff alike—are encouraged to help create a culture of care and safety on campus.
Annually on October 1st, the IU Police Department releases data showing crimes reported on the Bloomington campus over the three previous calendar years. Statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the university and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus. This information is published on the Protect IU website.
Off-Campus Behavior
Any violation of law, wherever it occurs, may be reported to the University by contacting the IU Police Department directly or informing other university officials. Such violations, either on campus or off, may subject students to campus disciplinary action pursuant to the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct.