Non-Discrimination: The University's policy on work-related substance abuse is non-discriminatory in intent and application. However, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 363, disability does not include any condition resulting form alcohol or other drug abuse which prevents a person from performing essential functions of the job or creates a direct threat to property or the safety of individuals.

Consequence of Violations: Violations of this policy may constitute just-cause for discipline, including possible discharge. Each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending upon the severity and circumstances involved.

Refer to Human Resources for the full Policy on Alcohol and Other Drug Use by Employees of MSUM and other policies pertaining to employees.

Building Security

Faculty and staff members are asked to assist in the care and protection of the equipment and materials housed within university buildings. Care must also be exercised by the faculty and staff for the personal safety of each occupant of the buildings. The following guidelines are designed to provide maximum security and protection for all concerned and still provide convenient access to the buildings:

1. Building access cards and office keys are issued to authorized faculty, staff, and classified personnel, only.

2. Outside doors should not be blocked open on any building when the doors are locked.

3. Building evacuation is mandatory for all fire alarms.

4. Individual academic buildings are open from 7:00 am until after evening classes and for scheduled weekend classes and special events. Employees and students in the buildings after normal hours should have a university ID in their possession.

5. Faculty and/or staff who appear to be the last persons in a building should ask unauthorized persons to leave the premises or contact security (477-2449). The building should be 'secured' when the last state employee leaves. In those buildings that have outside windows, employees should close and lock them before leaving the building.

Campus Security

Campus Security Office
Campus Security Building, 477-2449

Campus Security provides safety and security services for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors as well as protection of property located on the campus. With the exception of the Director, Lead Supervisor, and a Security Guard, the remainder of the positions are filled with university students. Student staff, after completing an interview process and background checks, must complete a 40 hour training program before being assigned to work.

The Campus Security Dispatch Center is staffed on a 24 hour basis. Campus security staff patrol the university parking lots, academic buildings, residence halls, and the campus grounds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Parking patrol staff check the university parking lots from 7:00 a.m. to midnight except Saturdays and Sundays. Parking patrol staff are trained to respond to security calls if needed.

A major responsibility of the Campus Security Department is educating the university community to realize that protection of self and property is everyone’s concern. To this end, the Campus Security staff conduct various crime prevention programs covering such topics as personal safety, bike safety, and fire safety. Problems, questions, concerns and/or suggestions relating to Campus safety and security are always welcomed by the Director, 477.5869.

Minnesota State University Moorhead enjoys a close working relationship with the Moorhead Police Department and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department. City police officers frequently patrol the parking lots and will occasionally walk through campus buildings.

Campus Crime Report
The Campus Security Department is responsible for completing the Annual Campus Crime Report which is required by Federal Mandate.

This Report contains the statistics for the previous three years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in buildings or property owned or controlled by the University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to the campus and reported to the University and/or Clay County Sheriff's Department or the Moorhead Police Department.

The Report also contains policies and procedures concerning safety and security on the campus of Minnesota State University Moorhead.

If you are unable to access this report and want a printed copy, or have other concerns about this Report, please contact the Director of Security, Minnesota State University Moorhead, 1104 7th Avenue South, Moorhead, MN 56563 or call (218) 477-5869.  

e2Campus

An Emergency Notification System that alerts students and faculty (Emergency Notification Registration) about school shootings, chemical spills, terrorist attacks, pandemics, tornado warnings. Alerts are sent out electronically via mobile phones (text message) e-mail, pagers, or PDAs.

Emergencies

The Emergency Incident Management Manual [PDF] is a resource for policy and procedures related to a variety of emergencies. Specific emergency situations procedures are available online.

Employee Liability

Security Against Loss : All employees of the state, acting in an official capacity within the scope of their lawful duties, are protected by the Tort Liability Act in Minnesota Statutes 3.732-3.736. This indemnification is stated as follows in M.S. 3.736, subd. 9:

"The State of Minnesota shall defend, save harmless, and indemnify any employee of the State against any tort claim or demand, whether groundless or otherwise, arising out of an alleged act or omission if the employee provides complete disclosure and cooperation in the defense of the claim or demand . . . and if, except for elected employees, the employee's appointing authority certifies that the employee was acting within the scope of his employment. This determination may be overruled by the attorney general. This subdivision does not apply in cases of malfeasance in office or willful or wanton neglect of duty."           

[M&C 5/15/92]

Hazardous Waste

Notify the Physical Plant office if it is suspected that hazardous materials are accumulating or have been inadequately stored. Specific definitions exist for hazardous waste but generally are those things that are toxic, irritative, corrosive, flammable, oxidative or explosive. A disposal procedure is in place for the removal of hazardous waste. Contact Alan Breuer (477-2998), Health and Safety Officer.        

[M&C 5/15/92]

Medical Emergency/Community Health Issue

In the event of a medical emergency in the classroom or other areas on campus: If there is any indication of a life-threatening situation, dial 9-911 to reach FM Ambulance. Examples of life threatening conditions could include, but are not limited to, the following: choking, severe chest pain and/or shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, uncontrolled bleeding, or debilitating injuries.

The cost of an ambulance is the responsibility of the "patient." If the "patient" refuses transport or transport is not recommended by the ambulance personnel, there is no charge. There is no charge to the person who calls the ambulance.

At the beginning of every term, faculty members may ask the students in their classes to notify them about any health problems that might require emergency treatment. If a student comes forward, the instructor may ask the student what the usual emergency treatment involves.

Smoking and Tobacco Use/ Sale Policy

As of January 1, 2008, smoking, tobacco use, and tobacco sales (including the use or sales of smokeless tobacco products) are prohibited on University-owned, -operated, or leased property, and in University-owned, leased, or - operated vehicles.

Definitions:

Smoking: The burning of any type of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other smoking equipment, whether filled with tobacco or any other type of material.

Smokeless Tobacco Products: Smokeless tobacco consists of the use of snuff, chewing tobacco, smokeless pouches, or other forms of loose leaf tobacco.

Cessation Programs and Services
To ease with the transition to a smoke-free campus, in Fall 2007 and Fall 2008, Quit and Win will be made available to MSUM students and employees. Additionally, to support MSUM students and employees who wish to reduce and/or quit using tobacco products, a variety of tobacco cessation resources and services are available at http://web.mnstate.edu/aod/tobacco.cfm

Policy Enforcement
Enforcement of this policy will depend upon the cooperation of all faculty, staff, and students not only to comply with this policy, but also to encourage others to comply with the policy, in order to promote a clean, safe, and healthy environment in which to work, study, and live. The University will provide the campus community with training opportunities designed to assist and prepare students and employees to help one another comply with the policy.

In the case of a violation, the person will be informed of the University Smoking and Tobacco Use Policy. Should that person continue to violate the policy, the aggrieved party should contact the appropriate office: for University employees, the person's immediate supervisor; for students, the Judicial Office of Student Affairs; and for those not associated with the University, Campus Security.

Policy Exceptions

1. An exception for instructional purposes allows for the use of tobacco products in laboratory and classroom instruction/experiments, or artistic purposes. All research, educational, and/or artistic purposes that involve the use of tobacco on campus, must be approved in advance by the President or his/her designee. Such use must be predicted by reasonable advance notice to the public.

2. This policy does not apply to specific activities used in connection with the practice of cultural activities by American Indians that are in accordance with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 1996 and 1996a. All ceremonial use exceptions must be approved in advance by the President of the University or his/her designee.

Approved by President Barden 5/8/07
Effective 1/1/08

Refer to the Alcohol and Other Drugs web site for additional information and resources.

Weather Closings

MnSCU policy 4.4.1 states: “The authority to cancel classes due to weather conditions or other emergencies resides with the college or university president or the president’s designee. Cancellation of classes does not excuse any employee from work. Employees of the college, including faculty, may take personal leave, vacation leave or use earned compensatory time when classes are canceled and they may choose to be absent from work.” MnSCU policy 4.4.2 also gives the president the authority to close the campus using procedures developed for that purpose. 

The Vice President for Student Affairs will make decisions about the cancellation of classes, and the Vice President for Facilities and Administration, will make decisions about the closure of school/personnel matters. When a decision has been made to cancel classes and/or declare a campus closing, we will immediately contact area radio and TV stations to communicate the details regarding the length of the closure and when we expect to re-open. 

When classes are called off, local radio and TV stations will be notified as early as possible, and listening to radio and TV is the best way of finding out whether classes will meet or not. One difficulty encountered in the past is that although the university will tell radio and TV stations that it is just classes which have been called off, this sometimes get reported on the air as "MSUM is closed." Clearly, the university cannot always control exactly what reporters say on the air.

It should also be noted that about 90% of the students and employees live in the immediate Moorhead/Fargo area. Consequently, if travel is possible in the two cities, the university will usually try to avoid calling off classes. On the other hand, even when classes are held, it may be difficult for out-of-town students to get there, so faculty members are asked to take bad weather into consideration when evaluating student absences.

                                                 [Authority: 1994 Minnesota Statutes, Sect. 43A.05, Subd.4]