(KTRS) – On the heels of protests over the racial conditions on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus, the campus police have released new guidelines for reporting “Hateful or Hurtful Speech”.

Students who witness hateful statements should call police immediately and provide information about the incident. But officers are also asking students to take pictures of offenders with their cell phones, if it safe to do so. The police say that any delay in reporting incidents makes it less likely they can find the responsible parties.

This is just one step the university is taking to assuage concerns over racial tensions at the school. Officials also also appointed an interim vice chancellor for inclusion, diversity and equity in the wake of Monday’s resignations.

The email lists a process for students “who witness incidents of hateful and/or hurtful speech.” They are:

• Call the police immediately at 573-882-7201. (If you are in an emergency situation, dial 911.)

• Give the communications operator a summary of the incident, including location.

• Provide a detailed description of the individual(s) involved.

• Provide a license plate and vehicle descriptions (if appropriate).

• If possible and if it can be done safely, take a photo of the individual(s) with your cell phone.

The email states that, “Delays, including posting information to social media, can often reduce the chances of identifying the responsible parties. While cases of hateful and hurtful speech are not crimes, if the individual(s) identified are students, MU’s Office of Student Conduct can take disciplinary action.”