We are committed to your safety.
Campus Safety and Student Privacy
As required by the Federal Department of Education Clery Act, the Otterbein Police Department maintains a Daily Crime Log of criminal incidents and alleged criminal incidents that are reported to the campus police. The Daily Crime Log is available to all students, parents and the general public. It includes, but is not limited to, such information as date, time, location, responding officer and outcomes of incidents. We include reports of all types of crimes, not just those required by the Clery Act. We also maintain an On-Campus Residential Housing Fire Log.
Any arrest records are publicly accessible in the court systems in which they are filed. When serious or continuing threats arise on or near campus, police implement the Red Alert timely warning notification system immediately sending notices to all students by text, email and phone with detailed instructions.
As a private police force, the Otterbein Police Department works to protect student safety while also protecting the identity of innocent victims. For victims of crime, including survivors of sexual assaults, this means that only people who need to know about an incident will be given their names and other limited information, as necessary. These people may include law enforcement officials and campus employees trained in victim support and counseling. Studies show that survivors of sexual assault are less likely to report the crime if their names are made available, and Otterbein wants to continue to offer a supportive environment for survivors to come forward.
Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report
Otterbein University’s “Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report” includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, reporting of crimes, sexual assault/violence, missing person notification, fire safety and other important campus policies that you should familiarize yourself with. The report also provides statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by Otterbein University; and on public property within, immediately adjacent to, and accessible from the campus; as well as on-campus fire statistics for the previous three years.
In the report you will find:
- Policy for Reporting the Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics
- Uniform Crime Reporting Definitions
- Reporting a Crime or Emergency
- Statement Addressing Off-Campus Criminal Activity
- Substance Abuse
- Sexual Assault
Note: If you wish to have a copy of the report, you can obtain a copy of this report by accessing the above link and printing a copy for yourself; or by contacting the Police Department in person at 194 West Main Street, by phone at 614-823-1222, or by e-mail at police@otterbein.edu.
Daily Crime Report Log
The Otterbein Police Department maintains a daily crime report that also includes a log of all fires that occur within on-campus residential housing facilities for public review. View the:
Current Student Organization Disciplinary Status
| Organization | Incident Date | Violation | General Description | Resolution Date | Sanctions |
| Kappa Phi Omega | Fall 2024 | Hazing | Hazing allegations included new members participating in some activities considered demeaning or causing unnecessary stress. | November 20, 2024 |
New member program for spring is limied to 2 sessions per week for four weeks. Alumna advisor present at each session. Outline ways to help chapter leadership be more aware of new member experience. Create a list of positive teams building activities to be shared with other chapters. |
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Pi Gamma Chapter with members at five institutions, including Otterbein University. | 10/19/2023 | Hazing | Alleged hazing-related behavior during membership experience process. Additional text messages provided for initial review aledged behaviors include carrying bricks, late night/early morning phone calls, buying food items for members. | 5/17/2024 per National Organization Participating universities assisted with investigation. |
National organization suspened membership of current chapter members. (Upheld by participating universities.) Prior to any chapter activities or operations, representatives of participating universities meet with National organization to discuss recruitment and membership education. |
| Lambda Gamma Epsilon | 10/19/2023 | Hazing Policy | Report of intimidating behavior, such as blindfolding and frequent intimidating communication. FSL staff investigation presented to the Student Conduct Hearing Board. Fraternity found in violation. | 10/24/2023 | Officers work with FSL staff to review and rewrite NME before the next recruitment. Ensure that all current actives complete Hazing 101 by January 1, 2024. |
| Tau Epsilon Mu | 9/23/2019 9/26/2019 9/27/2019 |
Hazing Policy | Social probation through fall 2019 semester; meeting with Assoc. Dir. of CSI about plan improvements and education for all members. |
Clery Act Training
Please download and review these presentations below to learn more about training conducted by the Otterbein Police Department.