Timely warnings are issued as soon as first responders are able to determine that the threat is credible and that the situation poses an ongoing threat to the community. A timely warning is intended to enable people to protect themselves against serious and continuing threats to the campus community, and will be issued as soon as pertinent information is available. It may take several minutes to determine and confirm the nature of an incident, and follow up messages may be issued as additional facts become available. Incidents that may elicit a timely warning include, but are not limited to, crimes of violence, property crimes, and sexual assaults where there has been a delay in reporting.

The purpose of an emergency notification is to immediately notify the campus community when there is a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, faculty, and staff. Incidents that may elicit an emergency notification include, but are not limited to, a bomb threat or active shooter, an outbreak of a highly contagious disease, impending natural disasters, and cases of sexual assault that posse an emergent, immediate threat to campus.