Two MSJ campus police standing in front of police truck and Lions Sculpture

To reach the MSJ Police Department, dial "0", 4200, extension 4226 from any campus phone, or by calling 513-244-4226. For immediate attention, please dial 911.

niche graphic
Mount St. Joseph University has repeatedly received an “A” rating for campus safety from Niche, with 100% of students polled reporting that they feel safe and secure on campus.


MISSION AND VISION

Mount St. Joseph University is committed to the safety and security of the MSJ community and compliance with Higher Education Amendments of 1998 and 2000, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), and the Campus Sexual Violence Act (“SaVE Act”) provision of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), Collins Law, and other applicable federal and state laws.

 

The Mount St. Joseph Police Department is a commissioned law enforcement agency by the State of Ohio, that operates under ORC 1713.50 and is in charge of the safety and security of all University students, employees, and visitors. You can find the MSJ Police Department on the Ground Floor of the Seton Center (to the left of Market C). The MSJ Police Department is available 24 hours, 365 days a year and has an Officer assigned to the Seton Lobby front desk at all times to answer any incoming calls both emergency and non-emergency.

 

The MSJ Chief of Police, Kevin Koo, is also MSJ’s Clery Act Designee and can be contacted at 513-244-4226 or kevin.koo@msj.edu

 

REPORTING EMERGENCIES AND SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 

All emergencies and any suspicious activity needs to be reported immediately to the MSJ Police Department by:


Dialing "0," 4200, or 4226 from any campus phone, or by calling 513-244-4226. For immediate attention, please dial 911.

REPORTING NON-EMERGENCIES AND UNIVERSITY POLICY VIOLATIONS

MSJ encourages the reporting of all alleged violations of MSJ policies and possible non-emergent crimes and provides several ways for individuals to make reports:

1) Direct Reporting

  • Possible non-emergent crimes and possible University policy violations must be reported to the MSJ Police Department by dialing “0,” 4200, extension 4226 from any campus phone, or by calling 513-244-4226.
  • Possible sex discrimination, sexual misconduct, or interpersonal violence- report alleged violations of the MSJ Title IX Sex Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence Policy one of the following ways:
    • By submitting an electronic Title IX report by completing this form: Title IX Report Form; or,
    • By making a report to the University’s Vice President of Compliance, Risk, and Legal Affairs/Title IX Coordinator, Paige Ellerman, who can be contacted at 513-244-4393paige.ellerman@msj.edu. You can access the Title IX page here
  • Possible discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or other legally protected statuses, including discrimination in public accommodations- report alleged violations of the MSJ Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy contacting the Equal Opportunity Officer/Chief Human Resource Officer, Teri Compton, who can be reached at teri.compton@msj.edu or 513-244-4979.
  • Possible violations of student academic or residence life accommodation policies -report an alleged failure of MSJ to provide a student with an academic or resident life accommodation under the Student Disability Accommodation Policy and Grievance Procedure:
    • For information about accommodations available under this policy, please call 513-244-4623 to speak with the Student Accessibility Services Specialist (the "Specialist") or email studentaccessibilityservices@msj.edu 
    • By timely submitting a formal grievance to the Associate Provost for Academics, Dr. Christa Currie, who can be contacted at christa.currie@msj.edu or at 513-244-4614.
  • Possible Student Handbook Violations- report alleged violations of the MSJ Student Handbook to the Dean of Students, Janet Cox, who can be reached at janet.cox@msj.edu or at 513-244-4466.

2) Anonymous Reporting

  • 244-TIPS
    • Anonymous reports of any possible non-emergent crime and any possible University policy violation can be made by calling or texting 513-244-TIPS or emailing 244TIPS@msj.edu, the University’s anonymous reporting resource.
    • This ‘tip” line was developed to promote the welfare of the campus community through an additional reporting source that is anonymous.  Calls and texts to 244-TIPS can be made 24/7.  244-TIPS should not be used to report any emergency.  In all emergencies, continue to call “911” or contact the MSJ Police Department by dialing "0", 4200, extension 4226 from any campus phone, or by calling 513-244-4226.
    • The 244-TIPS anonymous reporting option is not available for MSJ employees regarding possible violations of the Sex Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence Policy or the Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy. All MSJ employees are considered “responsible employees” under Title IX and “campus security authorities” under the Clery Act. Therefore, all MSJ employees have a legal duty to promptly report alleged policy violations directly to the Title IX Coordinator or the Equal Opportunity Officer. All campus security authorities must report all crimes immediately to Campus Police. Failure to report a crime is a chargeable offense Under ORC 2921.22.

3) Anti-Hazing Policy and Reporting Procedures

  • The mission of Mount St. Joseph University (the “University”) emphasizes values, integrity and social responsibility. As part of this commitment to a culture of ethical conduct, members of the Mount community embrace respect and concern for all persons. Mount community members bear mutual responsibility for bringing to light any incidents that violate this commitment or community trust. Hazing is a crime, causes physical and emotional harm, and creates an environment where community members feel unsafe. Hazing has no place in the Mount community.
  • Any Mount community member who has been the victim of, witnessed, or become aware of any form of hazing must promptly report such conduct to the following offices:
  • University Police
    • Located: Ground Floor of the Seton Center
    • Phone: Campus Telephone: Dial "0"
    • Cell Phone: 513-244-4200 for direct access to the MSJ Police Department
    • Dial 911 for emergencies
  • Dean of Students
  • For further information on the policy, please view the MSJ Anti-Hazing Policy and Reporting Procedures document here.

MountSafe

MountSafe is a voice and text-based phone and email system that the University uses to alert students, employees, and other community members of important information, including but not limited to campus emergencies as well as weather-related closings and delays. 

MountSafe is an opt-in system.  The MSJ Police Department strongly encourages all students, employees, and community members to register to receive MountSafe alerts.   

To register for MountSafe alerts, log in to myMount, then visit the MountSafe page in the left sidebar under the home section of the site. When registering, each person can list up to six phone numbers and four non-MSJ email addresses to send alerts through the MountSafe system. To learn more about MountSafe, including how to update your registration, visit www.msj.edu/safe.

MSJ Fire and Safety Statistics

MSJ reports crime statistics consistent with the requirements of the Jeanne Clery Act and the Department of Education requirements. MSJ also reports fire safety statistics consistent with the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requirements and the Department of Education. The MSJ crime log and fire statistics are available for review during regular business hours at the MSJ Police Department office, located in the lower level of the Seton Center (to the left of Market C). 

 

MSJ Disaster, Emergency Response, and Notification Plan

The MSJ Police Department and the MSJ Emergency Response Team review MSJ’s disaster and emergency response protocols and publish the MSJ Disaster, Emergency Response, and Notification Plan annually. All students, employees, and community members are encouraged to review the plan, become familiar with the best practices for remaining safe in any possible emergency or disaster, and to understand MSJ’s notification system for communicating safety issues with the campus community. We also ask that everyone becomes familiar with the posted evacuation plans in each building in case of emergency.

 

Additional Services and Resources

The MSJ Police Department regularly provides services and resources to keep students, employees, and members of the community safe, which include but are not limited to: 

  • Crime Prevention Programs, including, but not limited to A.L.I.C.E. active shooter training and participating in campus safety instructions.
  • Issuance of University ID cards and parking permits.
  • Fire Safety.
  • First Aid.
  • Assistance with vehicle trouble.
  • 24 hour campus safety escort.

For more information about any of these services and resources, contact the MSJ Police Department by dialing “0”, 4200, extension 4226 from any campus phone, or by calling 513-244-4226.

Disability Services

Having a disability may make it difficult for students to evacuate safely on campus; therefore, the MSJ Campus Police Department has initiated a plan to assist students in knowing what to do in an emergency and how to evacuate the buildings on campus in case of a fire, tornado or other situations that be harmful to our campus.  

Having a plan and efficient implementation may mean the difference between life and death for all on our campus.  We ask that any student with a disability contact the Campus Police Department at 513-244-4226 so we can meet with them to create a safety plan specifically for that individual. We also recommend that everyone on campus, especially those with a disability, download the app Smart911. This app will allow individuals to put important information about themselves in the app, such as medical issues, medications they are taking, if pets are in the dorm room, etc., that can be shared with emergency responders.

Smart911

  How does Smart911 work?
Smart911 allows you to create profiles with contact information such as home, work, and mobile phone numbers, along with additional details you feel 9-1-1 call takers may need to assist you during an emergency. With Smart911, any time you make an emergency call from a phone registered with your safety profile, the 9-1-1 system recognizes your phone number. It automatically displays your profile on the screen of the call taker who receives your call.
  Does the addition of the Smart911 service affect emergency services for those who do not choose to participate?
Participation in the Smart911 service will not change the level of emergency 9-1-1 service provided to residents, businesses, and visitors; the Smart911 service allows users to submit information that they believe would be helpful to dispatchers and first responders in the event of an emergency.
  What is a Safety Profile?
A Safety Profile is a set of information about an individual or a household that is contained within one account. Information can include details about all members of the household, all phone numbers (mobile, landline, or VOIP), and all addresses, including home, workplace, and even vacation home information. Users may also add details about medical conditions, medications, vehicles, emergency contact persons, pets, etc.
  How can Smart911 benefit wireless phone users?
Wireless phone users are encouraged to sign up, as wireless phone calls to 9-1-1 only provide a general location of the caller, not an exact address. Adding your home, school, and work addresses (including apartment and room numbers) can help responders locate you more easily. However, even if you have a Smart Profile, it is very important that 9-1-1 callers, particularly those with mobile phones, provide their current locations to dispatchers at the start of each call.
  How long does it take to create a safety profile?
Setting up a profile can take as little as 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how much information you wish to provide. You can always go back and update existing information or add additional information to your profile.
  How do I know if my safety profile was successfully created?
When you complete registration, you will be directed to your Safety Profile dashboard, and a message will be sent to you confirming your account via your choice of email, text message, or automated call. The information you provide in your Safety Profile will not be made available to 9-1-1 call takers unless you have verified the phone(s) listed in your profile.
  Is there a cost to sign up for the Smart911 service?
There is no fee to create or maintain a Safety Profile.
  Can I include my family members?
You are encouraged to create a Safety Profile that includes everyone in your household. You can also create Safety Profiles on behalf of elderly parents, those with disabilities, or anyone not comfortable with computers, designating yourself as the emergency contact.
  What if English is not my primary language?

You can create a Safety Profile in multiple languages and specify your primary language. When you enter the Smart911 “Sign Up” portal, click “Select Language” on the upper right-hand corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear, and you may choose your preferred language to create your Smart Profile.

 

When your profile displays at the 9-1-1 center, it will be translated back into English. If an interpreter is required, the 9-1-1 dispatcher will be able to see which language you designated as your primary language.

  How can Smart911 help when I am away from home?
Your Safety Profile is portable. If you travel to a community that utilizes the Smart911 service, your information will also be provided to first responders in that area. This is why it’s important to include all pertinent phone numbers in your Safety Profile, including mobile phones, landlines, and workplace numbers.
  Once I’ve signed up, do I need to do anything else?
The more up-to-date your information is, the better. The Smart911 service prompts users to verify their information every six months. However, you should update your profile any time there is any change to your information.
  Is my information secure?

Yes. Your information is available only to 9-1-1 dispatchers and first responders only if you call 9-1-1. Your Safety Profile is non-searchable, and your information will only be displayed to 9-1-1 dispatchers for a limited amount of time. In some areas, you can choose to allow Smart911 to share your profile with Emergency Managers as they prepare for and respond to emergencies. You will be presented with this option if you reside or work in one of these areas.


In addition, your information is stored in geo-redundant databases that are located on opposite sides of the country. In the unlikely event of a database shutdown, the system will automatically transition all of your information to the backup database, resulting in zero impact on your safety profile.

Reports

2023 Campus Security and Fire Safety Report [PDF]

The 2023 Campus Security and Fire Safety Report includes statistics for 2020, 2021 and 2022 and fire statistics for 2020, 2021 and 2022.

2023-2024 Hazing Incidents Report [PDF]

View the 2023-2024 Mount St. Joseph University hazing incidents reported.