» Student Affairs » Student Handbook
Content in this section of the Student Handbook outlines information pertaining to health, safety, and wellbeing for individual students and the community as a whole. This includes information on Substance Use, Emergency Procedures, and Campus Security.
If you believe information is missing or inaccurate, please contact the Student Rights and Responsibilities Coordinator in the Office of Student Involvement by emailing osi@nwmissouri.edu or calling 660.562.1554.
All members of the Northwest community now covered by this policy will be required to participate in a drug and alcohol awareness seminar. Special sessions will be scheduled for new employees within the first three months of their employment. The drug and alcohol awareness seminars shall include:
Assessment
Assessment activities to guide program development will be conducted by the Wellness Services staff, and results will be used to evaluate and guide program development.
Assessment, at a minimum, will include the following information:
Off-Campus Referrals
Contact Wellness Services at 660.562.1348 for off-campus referrals.
On-Campus Referrals
Information and assistance are available through the Wellness Services and University Police. Wellness Services provides individual and campus-wide education and resources to promote healthy living and reduce consequences from alcohol and other drug use.
Classroom presentations, interactive programs for residence halls, campus organizations and individuals about alcohol and other drug use, laws pertaining to their use, and personal risks related to using these substances are available.
Students may schedule appointments with Wellness Services for confidential consultation and recommendations for assistance related to alcohol use.
Wellness Services chairs the Maryville Partners in Prevention, a multidisciplinary team that reviews policies, assesses needs and develops plans that are aligned with best practices in college health.
Presentation may vary depending on the substance. The following are general signs and symptoms that may indicate substance abuse.
Planning and preparation are the best defenses in emergency, disaster, and crisis situations. Being prepared prevents injuries, saves lives, reduces fear and anxiety, and increases the speed of response and recovery.
Northwest communicates emergency, disaster, and crisis information through the indoor alarm and voice public address system, outdoor alarm and voice public address system, text messaging (Bearcat Alert), University website (Campus Alert), University email, and/or official Northwest social media accounts. For more information on notification processes, refer to the Combined Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report. Emergency procedures are posted prominently in campus buildings. The HazAdapt App provides step-by-step emergency and disaster guides to assist with response and recovery.
University Police - Emergency procedures
Northwest communicates the closing of campus to students via Bearcat Alert text messaging, Northwest email and official social media accounts.
If there is smoke or fire present and no alarm, alert others in the nearby area by activating a fire alarm pull station while evacuating and contact the University Police Department at 660.562.1254.
When an indoor fire alarm is activated, identify the closest exit, and evacuate the building.
Be aware of severe storm forecasts. If thunder roars, go indoors. The safest location is inside a building when lightning is in the area.
A Thunderstorm Watch means severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Remain alert for approaching storms.
A Thunderstorm Warning means a severe storm has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to those in the path of the storm.
Monitor tornado notifications. When the indoor or outdoor tornado warning sirens are activated, seek shelter. In areas where a tornado shelter is not available, the safest location is an interior room without windows on the lowest level of a building.
Northwest tests the outdoor warning system at 11 a.m. each Wednesday, weather permitting.
A Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms.
A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.
Be aware of the weather forecast and plan for food, water, clothing and heat source needs in the event of a power outage.
Be alert for signs of frostbite including the loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose.
Be alert for signs of hypothermia including uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of frostbite or hypothermia are detected, get medical help immediately.
Monitor the temperature. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity is dangerous. During severe heat and heat emergencies, stay indoors, stay hydrated and limit exposure to the sun.
Heat Cramps are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion.
Heat Exhaustion occurs with exertion in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating resulting in a form of mild shock.
Heat or Sun Stroke, a life-threatening condition, is when the body’s temperature control system, which produces sweat to cool the body, stops working. Seek medical attention immediately.
Be aware of earthquake notifications. If indoors, take cover under sturdy furniture or against an inside wall.
“Drop, Cover and Hold On” until the shaking stops. This means DROP down to the floor, take COVER and protect your head and neck with your arms, and HOLD ON to the sturdy piece of furniture you are under until the shaking stops.
If outdoors, stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires.
Be aware of flooding in the area and don’t drive through standing or moving water. Report building flooding to building staff.
Follow directions and instructions provided by local authorities. Seek medical treatment for unusual symptoms immediately.
Northwest campus security and safety requires the active cooperation, assistance and support from the entire campus community, including you.
Located in the Support Services Building on College Park Drive, the University Police is staffed by state certified and trained police officers with the authority to maintain order, preserve peace, investigate crimes and make arrests. The department enforces federal, state and local laws as well as University regulations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The University Police supports public disclosure of policy and openness on matters of public interest through ongoing dialogue, mutual respect, fairness, and the courteous treatment of persons in the campus community. Review systems are in place to ensure personnel are flexible, independent thinkers and tolerant of diverse thought and behavior.
An informed campus community is a safety conscious community. University Police maintains the Combined Security and Fire Report pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act ("Clery Act"). This report provides information on the University’s security arrangements, policies and procedures; programs that provide education on topics such as alcohol and other drugs, sex offense awareness, and the prevention of crime; and procedures the University will take to notify the campus community in the event of an emergency. The purpose is to provide information that will help make informed decisions relating to personal safety and the safety of others. Chief Amanda Cullin at the Northwest University Police Department for questions at 660.562.1254 or police@nwmissouri.edu.
The key to preventing crime is awareness and reporting. If you see something, say something. Campus offices and personnel, including University Police, Residential Life, Wellness Services, and student organizations work together to assist students and employees with education and resources. Prevention efforts focus on personal safety.
The University Police Department provides prevention programming such as self-defense sessions upon request on campus, including in the residential halls. The self-defense course is a one hour session offered to women on rape and sexual assault prevention techniques.
Request a prevention program by sending an email request to police@nwmissouri.edu.
Report incidents to the University Police at 660.562.1254. Dispatchers and police officers are available to speak with you at University Police 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Office of Student Affairs can assist students who are victims of a crime with changes in academic and living arrangements.
The University protects the confidentiality of victims. Only those with a need to know for purposes of investigation, victim resources, or the conduct process will know the involved individuals’ identities.
If you are the victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action thorough University systems or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report. With your permission, the Office of Student Affairs, Residential Life, Wellness Services, and University Police can file a report on the details of the incident without your identity being disclosed.
The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others. With such information, Northwest can keep accurate records of the number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a pattern of crime with regard to a particular location, method or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger. Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crimes statistics for the institution.
Northwest will also maintain methods of anonymous reporting of unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities, or the threat of such activities (in compliance with MO Senate bill 52).
Northwest’s University Police Department monitors anonymous reports 24/7 through an electronic form of reporting.
Northwest also utilizes other anonymous reporting systems that are not monitored continuously, and are not to be used for emergent situations, or situations involving suicide or the threat of suicide. These systems include Maxient, Northwest Success 360, and Northwest’s interdisciplinary Behavioral Intervention Team.
During business hours, Northwest facilities (excluding residential halls) are open to students, employees, and guests. During non-business hours, access to Northwest facilities is by an issued key, key fob, or the University Police Department. The University Police Department is open and accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Residence halls are secured 24 hours a day requiring key fob access to the facility and a key to access individual rooms. All keys and key fobs are coded to prevent facility and room identification from lost or stolen keys. Keys should not be shared with others. Key duplication is not permitted.
Security cameras are located at the entrances of residential halls. Blocking or propping residential hall doors compromises security and is prohibited by policy. Violations of the policy may result in disciplinary action. Telephones are located within residence hall entryways for emergencies. Dial 1254 or 911 to contact the University Police Department.
The University Police Department patrols the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residential Assistants are on duty in each residence hall and make periodic rounds of the facility. Student Security patrols facilities, including residence halls, in the evening to assist residents and employees with reporting security concerns.
Residential Life staff provides a continuous multi-level presence in the residence halls. The staff consists of a director, two coordinators, five Resident Directors and over 50 student staff. They are charged with creating an educational living and learning community in a clean and safe environment.
The quantity and effectiveness of campus lighting is surveyed periodically by a committee of students and employees.
Report malfunctioning lights to Facility Services by calling 660.562.1181 or sending an email to facserv1@nwmissouri.edu during business hours, or by calling the University Police Department at 660.562.1254 or sending an email to police@nwmissouri.edu after business hours.
University facilities and landscapes are maintained by Facility Services to minimize hazardous conditions. Report safety concerns to Facility Services by calling 660.562.1181 or sending an email to facserv1@nwmissouri.edu during business hours, or by calling the University Police Department at 660.562.1254 or sending an email to police@nwmissouri.edu after business hours.
The Office of Student Affairs maintains contact with recognized fraternity and sorority organizations through the efforts of the Fraternity and Sorority Life advisors. The Maryville Police Department provides law enforcement services to off-campus residencies, however, recognized fraternity and sorority organizations and activities recognized by the University authority are held accountable to Northwest policies and procedures. Criminal activity at recognized fraternity and sorority residences are monitored and recorded by the Maryville Public Safety. The offices of Student Affairs and University Police enjoy a close working relationship with the Maryville Public Safety Department. This cooperative team approach addresses situations as they arise as well as future concerns.
All new students attend summer orientation, which includes a seminar by University Police on campus crime, policies, and crime prevention.
Like new students, new employees that attend an orientation session will receive information on crime on campus, policies and crime prevention by University Police officers. These officers also speak with employee groups and office areas annually on safety, security and crisis planning.
Counseling Services staff can work with students impacted by crime. Counselors can be contacted to respond to emergency situations, and can also provide on-going care to students. Students needing assistance outside of Wellness Services’ office hours have multiple resources available to them, including
In addition, Wellness Services’ Wellness Education program provides prevention programming on topics such as acquaintance rape, sexual assault and abusive relationships.
Wellness Services takes a holistic approach to care, which includes quality outpatient clinical care, counseling services, and wellness education and prevention. Services include crisis response care, preventive health promotion services, women’s health clinical care, peer education, and individual and group counseling services.
Wellness Services staff, as well as Bearcat Peer Educators, provide educational programs on topics such as personal safety, bystander intervention, alcohol responsibility, healthy relationships and promoting a respectful campus climate.
