Further Information on Campus Security & Safety

2012-10-26

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff Members, 

At the end of a difficult week, I would like to express my gratitude for your cooperation with one another and for the support people have shown—and continue to show—for our fellow community members. The safety and well-being of all members of our community are of the utmost importance. Your prayers and concern for one another in times of crisis, as well as in happier times, shapes this university into the remarkable and strong community that it is.

Some of you have had follow-up questions on information shared earlier today regarding campus security. You may also see news reports on Notre Dame regarding the assault reported earlier this week. The Baltimore City Police Department contacted campus officials and then issued a brief statement on the investigation, which the City Police are leading (statement attached below). Based on both its evidence and a formal statement from the individual involved, detectives have concluded that specific to this incident, there is no safety concern for the campus or surrounding community at this time from an unknown assailant. Baltimore Police detectives continue to investigate with cooperation from the University and TurnAround, Inc., an established nonprofit that works with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

I am relieved to learn there is no unusual public safety threat on our campus. Nonetheless, our public safety officers will continue to be especially vigilant in their ongoing patrols, and I ask each of you to exercise appropriate caution as you move around campus, especially at night: use the buddy system, call for a security escort if you are alone, and make sure you have the campus security phone number programmed into your phone: 410-532-5360—or dial 0 from any campus phone.

I am sure you share my appreciation for the professionalism of our public safety and student life staff, as well as our partners at the Baltimore City Police Department, Loyola University Maryland and TurnAround. Our campus safety officers and student life staff regularly provide a number of services related to security and crisis management, and this may be a good time to discuss what those are, as well as to address questions you may have. A Community Conversation is already scheduled for Tuesday at 12:15 pm in Doyle Formal Lounge, and we can use that time for that review and your questions. If we are not also able to address all of the Board updates on Tuesday, then another campus-wide meeting will be scheduled. 

Extreme weather is also a campus safety issue. Our team has been hard at work preparing for the approach of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to make landfall over the Delmarva Peninsula by Monday.  Be assured that all plans are in place to have appropriate staffing on campus and on call in case of power outages, downed trees or other damage. Dining services is ensuring sufficient inventory of food, water and ice to see us through an extended disruption in electricity.

We are closely monitoring the approach of the storm for any potential impact on classes and scheduled events. In the event of a closing or delay, information will be posted on the University’s website (www.ndm.edu) and a voice mail message will be sent to all campus extensions. You can also check the University’s Facebook page for updates or tune in to your local news station, and the Weather Line (410-532-5151) will have up-to-date closing information.

Once again, thank you for your great spirit of faith and concern for one another. In working together, we are a stronger and more compassionate community.

Sincerely,

Jim

James F. Conneely, Ph.D.
President

On 10/26/2012 at 12:59 PM, in message, Anthony Guglielmi wrote:

Update on the sexual assault investigation reported on the campus of Notre Dame University of Maryland

Baltimore, MD / October 26, 2012 - After a review of the evidence, including the victim's formal statement to Police in the reported sexual assault case at Notre Dame University of Maryland, detectives with the Baltimore Police Special Investigations Section have determined that the original incident of a sexual assault was miscommunicated to police.

Specific to this incident, there was and is no threat to the campus or neighboring communities. Baltimore Police detectives continue to investigate with cooperation from the University and our domestic violence advocacy partners at Turnaround, Inc.

For more information, contact BPD Public Affairs at 410-396-2012

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