UNL is an educational institution that help students gain intellectual discovery and learning. Certain policies are set in place to ensure a non-disruptive environment so that students can focus on their educational journey. These policies set by the Board of Regents and UNL makes the university a drug, alcohol, tobacco and weapons free campus.



Timely Warning Notifications

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department shall provide timely warnings about reported crimes to the campus community, in a manner that will aid in the prevention of similar crimes if it is determined that an ongoing threat exists. Timely warnings will be displayed at the top of the police website when available. Departmental supervisors shall review all reports taken by the department in a timely manner to determine any offenses that are subject to disclosure and represent an ongoing threat to faculty, staff, and students of the campus community. If it is determined that there is an ongoing threat, the supervisor, or their designee shall notify the University’s public information officer, or their designee who will send out a media release, mass e-mail, and/or do a web posting of the incident to help prevent similar crimes from happening.

Mass Notification and Evacuation Annual Tests

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department shall provide timely warnings about reported crimes to the campus community, in a manner that will aid in the prevention of similar crimes if it is determined that an ongoing threat exists. Timely warnings will be displayed at the top of the police website when available. Departmental supervisors shall review all reports taken by the department in a timely manner to determine any offenses that are subject to disclosure and represent an ongoing threat to faculty, staff, and students of the campus community. If it is determined that there is an ongoing threat, the supervisor, or their designee shall notify the University’s public information officer, or their designee who will send out a media release, mass e-mail, and/or do a web posting of the incident to help prevent similar crimes from happening.

Your Rights: Title IX & CLERY Act

The University Police Department is committed to providing a safe environment. This means that you have the power to report anything that you feel raises suspicion, concern, and does not make you feel safe. Our department is here to provide support and to help reestablish your sense of safety. Title IX and the Clery Act were laws that were put into place that help us provide another building block to helping our campus community.

Title IX

UNL is dedicated to the prevention of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, and providing a safe campus for its employees and students. In order to be proactive in its efforts, UNL has established procedures and policies to investigate complaints and address identified concerns. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance at (402) 472-3417 or visit their website. Read the Chancellor's Policy Memorandum on Title IX Compliance to learn more about how UNL is taking steps to establish a safe, diverse and inclusive work and learning environment.

Title IX is a federal, civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination in education. Title IX ensures that universities are proactive in handling gender discrimination, have established procedures for handling gender discrimination, harassment, and violence, and provide support for survivors.

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act requires all colleges and universities who receive federal funding to share information about crime on campus and their efforts to improve campus safety as well as inform the public of crime in or around campus. This information is made publicly accessible through the university's Annual Campus Security & Fire Safety Report.

Under the Act, institutions must provide survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking with options such as changes to academic, transportation, or living, or working situations, and assistance in notifying local law enforcement, if the student or employee chooses to do so. It also provides both parties in a campus disciplinary process certain rights. Colleges and universities must outline specific policies and procedures within their annual security reports, including those related to disseminating timely warnings and emergency notifications, options for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, and campus crime reporting processes.

How to report under the Clery Act

There are many routes for on-campus crime statistics to make it into the university's Annual Campus Security & Fire Safety Report. Crimes reported to the UNL Police Department is one such route. The Clery Act also establishes Campus Security Authorities that are comprised of UNL faculty and staff. The intent of including non‐law enforcement personnel in the role of a CSA is to acknowledge that some campus community members, students in particular, may be hesitant about reporting a crime to the police, but may be more inclined to report it to other campus‐affiliated individuals. Please visit this page to locate a CSA that you are comfortable confiding with.

Campus Policies

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a set of policies in place to address the safety of its community. Below you will find policies for illegal substance, weapon possession, and security camera usage on-campus.

Note: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently went through the process of consolidating its policies on the Business & Finance website. To see all policies and search through them, visit the main Business & Finance Policies page. To view the policies related to Public Safety, visit the list of policies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What are the alcohol rules on campus?
A. Nebraska law forbids the consumption of alcohol on public property. University property, streets and sidewalks are considered to be public property. University policies forbid possession of alcohol on campus. Alcohol is permissible only when a UNL Alcohol Permit form and a Special Designated License (SDL) has been obtained. UNL Alcohol Permit forms must be approved by a UNL administrator and SDL's must be obtained by the alcohol vendor from the City of Lincoln. The legal drinking age in Nebraska is 21.
Q. What am I required to have with me when driving a car in Nebraska?
A. Nebraska law requires that you have a valid driver's license, current registration for the vehicle and current proof of insurance.
Q. Do I have to wear a seatbelt?
A. Nebraska law requires seatbelt for all passengers in the car. Most children are required to wear approved and properly installed child seat restraints.
Q. What should I do if stopped by a law enforcement officer?
A. When operating a motor vehicle in Nebraska, you are required to have your driver's license on your person, and the vehicle registration and proof of automobile insurance in the vehicle. Typically, officers in Nebraska expect the driver and passengers to remain in their vehicle and let the officer initiate the contact. The officer should explain the reason for the stop. If possible, have your license, registration and insurance documents ready. While maintaining a good public appearance, officers must also be aware for potential problems. Across the country, traffic stops are a most dangerous time for police officers. On a routine traffic violation, officers may encounter a student, a business person, an intoxicated person or someone who has just committed a crime. Traffic and criminal citations will always include a date, time and court locations to appear to contest the citation. Many criminal and traffic citations may also include information on how to pay the fines/costs by waiver without having to appear in court, if allowable for the offense. Most criminal offenses require a court appearance. When a citation is received you must comply with the citation by either appearing in court on the date and time specified or pay by waiver in the allotted time. Failure to do so will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.

The following are suggestions to use if contacted by a police officer:
  • Be courteous and keep conversations related to the officer's questions. If you disagree with the Officer's observations, you may say so, but do not argue. You will be provided an opportunity to express your opinion or facts in court.
  • If driving, have your operator’s license, and vehicle registration and insurance available.
  • Do not reach into other areas of the car or into pockets without first asking the officer.
  • Do not compound the situation by fleeing, resisting or providing false information to the officer. Additional criminal charges may result.
  • If given a citation, sign it on request. Signing a citation is not an admission of guilt, merely an agreement that you will respond to the citation.
  • Contact the agency directly, after the contact has concluded, if you feel the officer was unprofessional; agencies would like to hear this. UNL Police has a complaint form available on its website for this purpose. UNL Police uses audio/video recorders for its marked police vehicles and mobile video recorders for its officers. Officers are encouraged to record all official police related contacts with the public.
Q. Where can I find more information on laws and policies which cover UNL?
A. Nebraska statutes govern the activities on the UNL campuses. Most of the streets that run through campus and the right of ways are city property and are governed primarily by Lincoln city ordinances. The following websites are provided to assist you in your research.
Q. I am a hunter and would like to have my shotgun available during the fall. Where can I keep it?
A. With few exceptions University policy forbids firearms and other dangerous weapons from being on campus or stored in vehicles or buildings. Within this policy, UNL Police provides free storage of firearms and similar items for students and employees. Lockable, individual storage cabinets are accessible 24/7. Check it out when needed and drop it off when arriving back on campus.