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Campus Crime Prevention and Security Awareness Programs

The Miami University Police patrol the Oxford campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, using cars, bikes, and officers on foot. Campus Security (Allied Universal Security Services) patrols the Hamilton and Middletown campuses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on foot and in vehicles. Campus Security (Allied Universal Security Services) patrols the Voice of America Learning Center Monday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on foot.

Emergency phones have been placed in locations throughout the Oxford, Hamilton, and Middletown campuses. When activated, an emergency phone connects a person to dispatch. Each emergency phone tower on the Oxford campus is capable of broadcasting emergency information to those in hearing distance of the tower. Police encourage all members of the community and visitors to report safety concerns to the police.

The University Police Department may distribute throughout the Oxford campus printed materials and electronic notices promoting personal safety and alerting people to specific crimes or problems. The Institutional Response Team distributes safety awareness information online and in printed materials, to students and employees. The Business Services and Student Life offices do the same thing for the Hamilton and Middletown campuses.

The University Police has a team of officers dedicated to community relations and crime prevention that coordinates numerous security awareness programs for the campus community, specifically to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others. Printed and electronic materials are distributed regularly from the station, through campus mail or email, and at fairs to provide crime prevention tips and information.

The following security awareness and crime prevention programs were provided by Miami University Police during the calendar year 2022:

  • Alcohol and Drug Safety/Awareness related programs for students. Three sessions were conducted upon request.
  • New Student Orientation that provided general safety awareness, crime prevention, alcohol rules, and fire safety information to students. Information was provided during each session of orientation.
  • General safety awareness and crime prevention information was provided to current students upon request during seven sessions.
  • International Student Orientation that provided general safety awareness and crime prevention information to international students. Information was provided during three sessions of orientation.
  • Active Shooter/Threat Awareness Training provided to faculty/staff. Information was provided upon request during nine sessions.
  • Sexual Assault Awareness information was provided to students, staff, and community members. Three sessions were conducted upon request.

Additional information regarding emergency preparedness and procedures, including what to do in the event of an active shooter is available in case of such an incident. Also, three videos on personal safety are available for check-out from King Library.

Miami provides information on fire safety policies, procedures, and statistics.

Safety Programs

These tips can help to ensure your safety:

  • Update your registration with the Miami RedHawk Alert Emergency Notification System to receive emergency text notifications in situations on campus that pose an immediate danger.
  • Use the BCRTA Saferide Late Night Services.
      -Oxford campus, (513) 785-5237 or toll-free (855)42-BCRTA (operates from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. Monday-Saturday and until 1 a.m. Sunday)
      -Hamilton Campus, 513-785-3222 (campus security)
      -Middletown Campus, 513-727-3333 (campus security)
  • Use the free Miami bus system run by BCRTA (operates 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday and Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday & Sunday).

You can also take advantage of the following resources promoting safety and awareness:

  • Miami Police provides presentations to small groups on a variety of safety topics. Request a safety presentation or program.
  • Miami Police provide a variety of crime prevention tips, ranging from traveling alone to facts concerning Rohypnol.
  • Miami Police partners with the Office of Student Wellness to host self-defense workshops each semester. 
  • Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault (MARS) addresses rape as a men’s issue. Male students meet in small, all men’s groups to discuss how men can make a difference. To schedule a session or join the group, please email us at MARS@MiamiOH.edu or visit us on The HUB.

Workplace Violence

Miami University is committed to promoting and maintaining a safe working and learning environment for its employees and students. Threatening, intimidating, or violent behavior will not be tolerated. If such conduct occurs, it should be promptly reported to the proper authorities (police and/or appropriate personnel office) and will be investigated.

Persons found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination in accordance with the appropriate collective bargaining agreement, classified civil service rules, and/or University disciplinary policy.

Any person who is the victim of threatening or violent conduct in the workplace, or who observes such behavior, or who believes a credible threat of such behavior exists is expected to immediately report the conduct to the proper authorities (police and/or appropriate personnel office). Those who, in good faith, make such reports will be protected from retaliation.

The Code of Student Conduct

The Office of Community Standards is responsible for administering the Code of Student Conduct, which applies to students on all Miami campuses. The Code outlines the rights and responsibilities of students, behaviors prohibited on and off campus, possible sanctions, and the procedural rights of students and student organizations.

The Code of Student Conduct applies to Miami’s undergraduate students, graduate students, and student organizations. The Code of Student Conduct prohibits misconduct on University premises (buildings or grounds owned, leased, operated, controlled, or supervised by the University), including the Oxford campus, Miami University Dolibois European Center, the Miami University Hamilton campus, the Miami University Middletown campus, and the Voice of America Learning Center, and the Cincinnati campus. It also applies to misconduct in University programs and activities, regardless of location, and off-campus conduct that negatively impacts the campus community. Students and student organizations are subject to this Code of Student Conduct beginning at summer orientation, during academic terms for which they are enrolled, during breaks between terms, during University holidays and vacations, and during periods of suspension. Additionally, while Miami University does not routinely monitor social media sites and other electronic media, students should be aware that behavior on such sites when reported to the University may be investigated and adjudicated.

If a student or student organization breaks a law that also violates the Code of Student Conduct, they may be held accountable by both civil authorities and the University. The University may at its sole discretion elect to pursue disciplinary action in the absence of criminal charges, at the same time as criminal charges are pending, or if the criminal charges involving the same incident are not complete, have been reduced, or are dismissed.

Student organizations (defined in the “Recognition of Student Organization” section of the policy “Student Organizations and Governance Bodies”), including fraternities and sororities (defined in the policy “Sororities and Fraternities”), are subject to the same conduct standards as individual students.

An organization may be held responsible for a violation of University policy or rule when:

  1. One or more of its officers, members, or authorized representatives acting as a member of the organization commit the violation; or
  2. The misconduct occurs at an event that is sponsored, financed, or endorsed by an organization where it is reasonable to believe that the organization’s members knew or should have known that one or more of the participants engaged in conduct that is in violation of this Code; or
  3. The misconduct occurs on the premises owned, leased, rented, or operated by the organization where it is reasonable to believe that the organization’s members knew or should have known that one or more of the participants engaged in conduct that is in violation of this Code.

In order to promote a safe and civil campus environment, Miami University expects each student and student organization to follow the Code of Student Conduct. The severity of the offense, prior disciplinary history, whether an offense was committed against a person intentionally selected by reason of their sex/gender, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, military status, or veteran status, and other relevant circumstances will be considered in determining the appropriate disciplinary action.  

The standard of review used to determine responsibility under the Code of Student Conduct is a “preponderance” standard. This determination is based on the greater weight of the information and does not require a standard beyond a reasonable doubt.

Ohio Revised Code Sections 3345.22 and 3345.23 procedures are commonly referred to as “1219” proceedings. The initiation of a “1219” proceeding against a student does not prohibit the University from taking University disciplinary action against that same student under the Code for the same conduct that gave rise to the “1219” proceeding. A student arrested for any of the defined offenses will automatically be subjected to the “1219” proceedings, which are summarized below.

  • After a hearing that will be held no more than five days after arrest (continuances may be granted, that may not exceed a total of 10 days), students arrested for one of the offenses defined in Ohio Revised Code 3345.23(D) are subject to immediate suspension from the University. Students convicted of any of the offenses enumerated in Ohio Revised Code 3345.23(D) are subject to automatic dismissal from Miami University.
  • Students suspended or dismissed under these “1219” procedures are not permitted on University property without the express permission of the President or the Board of Trustees. Students dismissed upon conviction may be re-admitted or admitted to any other Ohio tax-supported college or university, at the discretion of the college or university’s board of trustees, but only after the lapse of one calendar year following dismissal and only upon terms of strict Disciplinary Probation (see Ohio Revised Code 3345.22 and 3345.23 for full text of the statutes and see Appendix A of the Code of Student Conduct for list of defined offenses of violence).