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Crime Reporting and Prevention

Campus Law Enforcement

Morningside College Campus Security officers have the authority to ask individuals for identification and to determine whether individuals have lawful business at Morningside College.  Morningside College security officers have the authority to issue tickets, which are billed to financial accounts of students, faculty, and staff.  Security officers do not possess arrest power.  Criminal incidents are referred to the Sioux City Police Department who has jurisdiction on the campus.  The Campus Security Department maintains a highly professional working relationship with the Sioux City Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in the area.  All crime victims and witnesses are strongly encouraged to immediately report crimes to Campus Security and the Sioux City Police Department.  Prompt reporting will assure timely warning notices on-campus and timely disclosure of crime statistics.

Reporting Criminal Activity and Emergencies

Any emergency situation or knowledge of a crime should be reported immediately to Campus Security by calling 712-274-5234 or by going to the Security Office located in the Olsen Student Center. You may also dial 911 to reach the Sioux City Police Department or Sioux City Fire Rescue. When calling either number, you should stay on the line until the appropriate authorities tell you to hang up. You should be able to provide the exact location, the status of the situation. and who is involved in the incident.

Please keep the following in mind when involved in or witnessing a crime:

• Make every effort to ensure that physical evidence is maintained and protected. Immediate reporting will aid in preserving evidence.

• Obtain a description of the offender(s) including sex, age, race, hair, clothing and other distinguishable features. Attempt to obtain a description and license number of any vehicles involved and the direction of travel of those vehicles.

• Preserve the crime scene. Do not touch any items involved, nor allow anyone into the area until Campus Security or Sioux City Police Department personnel arrive.

Emergency Code Blue Call Boxes are located in the following places: Roadman Hall Main Entrance; Roadman Hall South, south entrance; Residence Complex, lower main entrance; Dimmitt Hall on Vine Ave.; Lewis Park Parking Lot on Peters Avenue; Garretson Parking Lot on Garretson Avenue;  west side of Charles City Hall; the northwest corner of the Hickman Johnson Furrow Learning Center; the north side of the Walker Science Center by the atrium; Walker Science Center southwest entrance by the parking lot; Poppen Hall upper entrance; Waitt Hall upper entrance; Lags Hall south entrance; the Olsen Stadium east parking lot; and the Apartment Complex parking lot.

General Procedures for Reporting a Crime or Emergency

Community members, students, faculty, staff, and guests are encouraged to report crimes and public safety related incidents to the Campus Security Department in a timely manner. 

To report a crime or an emergency, call Campus Security at 712-274-5234.

Campus Security is available 24 hours a day to answer your call.  Once your call is received, Campus Security will take the appropriate action needed at the time of the incident.  They will ask the victim to file a report with the appropriate authorities at the time as well.

All Campus Security reports are forward to the appropriate people for further action.  This may include Resident Life, Campus Judicial Officer, Business Office, and in some cases, the Sioux City Police Department.  Additional information collected during the investigation is always forwarded to the Sioux City Police Department unless the victim does not wish to pursue criminal charges.

If assistance is required from the Sioux City Police Department, Sioux City Fire Rescue, or the Siouxland Paramedics, Campus Security and/or Residence Life will contact the appropriate units.  If a sexual assault or rape should occur, staff at the scene, including Campus Security will offer the victim a wide variety of services.  Morningside College has access to a variety of agencies that assist the victims in these situations such as the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (CSADV).  At any time, anyone can ask about these resources through the Director or Assistant Director of Campus Security, Dean’s Office, Campus Chaplain, Nurse, or Personal Counselor.

Crimes should be reported to the Campus Security Department to ensure inclusion in the annual crime statistics and to aid in providing timely warning notices to the campus community, when appropriate.

Confidential Reporting Procedures

If you are a victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action within the Morningside College system or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report.  With your permission, the Director of Security or a designee of the Campus Security Department can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity.  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, the College can keep an 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.  Records filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crimes statistics for the institution.

Crime Reporting

The Campus Security Department encourages anyone who is a victim or witness to any crime to promptly report the incident to Campus Security.  Campus Security makes all attempts to keep information that would possibly jeopardize an investigation confidential until such time is deemed that such information can be released.  In most cases, in the daily crime log, names are left out for the privacy of such individuals.  All Clery Act crimes are included in the Annual Security Report.

To Report a Crime

Contact Campus Security at 712-274-5234 or dial 911 for the Sioux City Police or Fire Rescue.  You may also use the Code Blue phones located around campus and at the entrances of the residence halls.  Any suspicious activity on or around campus should be reported to Campus Security of the Sioux City Police Department immediately. 

You may also contact the following people in Security, Student Services, Residence Life, or the Academic Affairs Office to report any crime:

Crime Prevention Programs

Crime Prevention Programs on personal safety and theft prevention are sponsored by various campus organizations throughout the year.  Campus Security personnel facilitate programs for students, faculty, staff, and student organizations, in addition working with Residence Life on programs for students on how to protect themselves against sexual assaults, theft, and other crimes. 

At all times, students, faculty, or staff can call Campus Security for an escort at night.  Campus Security also encourages students to walk with others and not alone at night.

Alcohol and Drugs

The sale of alcoholic beverages on the Morningside College campus by any organization, person or group is not permitted at any time. Students who are of the legal drinking age of 21 may possess or consume alcoholic beverages only in their private living quarters. If a student has a roommate, they, along with anyone else in the room, must be 21 also to consume alcohol in the room.

Morningside College complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Public Law 101-226. Illegal drugs and paraphernalia are not permitted on campus. Morningside College works closely with the Sioux City Police Department and cooperates with all law enforcement agencies to ensure that all laws pertaining to illegal drugs are being enforced. Possession, use or distribution of any kind of illegal substance goes against Morningside College’s commitment to the Siouxland Community, is illegal and will result in immediate suspension from campus.

The student handbook contains a detailed list of all other campus disciplinary policies and procedures, including alcohol and drug policies. Provisions for counseling and treatment opportunities are also addressed. Morningside College will make reasonable effort to enforce all federal, state and local laws.

Students may refer to all rules and regulations in the Student Handbook

Alcohol and Substance Prevention Programs

The College has developed a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students.  The program provides services related to drug and alcohol use and abuse including dissemination of informational materials, educational programs, counseling services, referrals, and college disciplinary action.  

Morningside College Residence Life and Personal Counseling Services provide the overall coordination of these programs.  These programs include:

Alcohol and Drug Education:  Programs by Residence Life staff and Personal Counseling services address issues of concern throughout the year.

Counseling Services:  Morningside personal counselors will meet with students on alcohol and drug related issues. 

Referral Services:  if warranted, Residence Life and Counseling Services will have students seek off-campus counseling and referral services, usually at Jackson Recovery Services.

College Disciplinary Action:  It most cases, disciplinary action will be taken including fines and in severe cases, removal of the student(s) from the college, including classes and the residence halls.  The student does have the right and ability to appeal the action to the Judicial Officer and Judicial Committee.

Weapons/Firearms

For the entire campus’s safety, shotguns, rifles, handguns, air guns, bows and arrows, ammunition and all other types of weapons are not permitted. There is no on-campus storage allowed at any time, and no weapon may be stored in any vehicle located on campus. All types of explosives, including fireworks, are strictly prohibited on campus.  Please refer to the Morningside College Student Handbook for additional prohibitions regarding residence halls.

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Policy

Morningside College is concerned about the safety and welfare of all campus members and guests. In an effort to promote the dignity and well-being of members of the campus community, the college is committed to addressing allegations of sexual abuse and/or sexual assault and providing educational programs to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, and other sex offenses. The college has developed this policy, which is consistent with the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act, Public Law 101-542, and the Iowa House File 2028. Sexual abuse and sexual assault also have certain criminal and civil law repercussions. When Morningside College determines that a case of sexual abuse and/or sexual assault might have taken place, the college will fulfill its legal obligation to report the same to the appropriate law enforcement or other legal authority for appropriate disposition.

Crime Prevention Tips

The following tips are meant to help protect the campus community from crime and injury. If a crime has already occurred, please contact Campus Security at 712-274-5234.

General Tips:

• Report all suspicious persons.
• Report all thefts.
• Be attuned to your surroundings. Walk or travel in well-lit, well-traveled areas. If you think someone is following you, abruptly switch directions or cross the street. If you’re still being followed, go to a public place and ask for help.
• Keep your purse, backpack, briefcase, cell phone, portable computer and any other valuable property in your possession at all times. Don’t take a break and leave them behind.
• If you receive a harassing phone call, hang up immediately. Don’t try to find out who the caller is and don’t show any reaction.
• Know your neighbors and make sure they know you. Ensure a roommate or friend knows your routines. Tell someone if you are going to be late or are out of town.
• Notify Campus Security of any broken lights, overgrown shrubbery near walkways, telephones that don’t work and doors with broken locks.
• Label your books, notebooks and personal property with your name.
• Never open doors of campus buildings to strangers.
• Morningside College students, faculty and staff should always have their College ID in their possession and present the ID when requested by Campus Secuirty.

Residence Hall Safety Tips:

• Lock all doors, even if you are leaving for a short time.
• Make certain to lock your door before you go to sleep.
• Never prop open any locking residence hall door.
• Avoid leaving notes on your door saying that you are out.
• Do not loan your keys to anyone, or leave your keys unattended.
• Do not put your name and/or room number on your key ring.
• There are phones at the entrances to the residence halls that can be utilized in emergencies. There is also a blue light emergency phone in all parking lots.

Campus Office and Lab Safety Tips:

• Be sure doors are locked whenever you leave an unattended office or lab.
• Never leave doors propped open or leave keys in an unlocked cabinet or desk drawer.
• It is not advisable to tape extra keys under desk drawers or in file cabinets.
• When leaving your office or lab for the day, make sure that all windows are closed and locked, all valuables and confidential materials are locked up and all desks, files and doors are locked.

Parking Lots Safety Tips:

• Have your key ready when you approach your vehicle.
• Check before you get in your vehicle to make sure no one is hiding beneath or inside the vehicle.
• When you park, choose a well-lighted, designated parking area.
• If you carry valuables in your car, keep them out of sight in the trunk.
• Always lock your vehicle.
• There is a blue light emergency phone in all main parking lots for emergencies.

Sexual Assault/Date Rape Prevention Tips:

• Anyone can be the victim of sexual assault or rape, regardless of age, sex, race, status or type of dress. Please keep these tips in mind:
• Be alert and aware when dating.
• Trust your instincts or “gut feelings.”
• Do not send mixed messages. Be clear, say “no” when you mean it.
• Be careful when you invite someone into your residence.