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CRIME AWARENESS AND CAMPUS SECURITY ACT OF 1990 This information is provided to you as part of The University of Tennessee at Martin's commitment to a safe and secure campus. The Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (Public Law 101-542, Nov. 8, 1990) is a legislative effort to address the perceived problem that some colleges and universities have been less than forthright about the crime risks which exist on campuses. The University of Tennessee at Martin has been engaged in providing information to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting ( UCR ) system since 1976. A SAFE CAMPUS You will also be pleased to know that the Martin community has a low crime rate. The citizens of the area realize UT Martin offers expanded educational, cultural, and health facilities.The campus-community relationship is close and contributes to the Martin community and The University of Tennessee at Martin being rated as one of the safest campus communities in the country. A SAFE CAMPUS IS A GROUP EFFORT This brochure is meant to provide you with an overview of safety and security facts that will be helpful to you. It is intended for incoming students but will also be relevant to current students and all employees of UT Martin. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. REPORTING CRIME REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIONS OR EMERGENCIESALL EMERGENCIES SHOULD BE REPORTED BY CALLING 911. If you observe any suspicious activity or you need to request a police/fire/ambulance response for a non-emergency situation on campus, dial extension 7777 from any campus phone. If you are calling from a cell phone, dial 881-7777. There are also emergency call stations that automatically dial the Department of Public Safety. They are located in the following locations around campus: 1. North of University Village south of covered pavilion. 10. Center of Lot 13 (east of Cooper Hall) 11. Lot 22 (North of Elam Center) 12. Southeast corner of "G" Unit University Courts 13. Northwest corner of "C" Unit Grove Apts. 14. Bewteen Lots 7 and 19 (South of Ellington Hall) 15. South of the Running Track starting point by Lot 2 (near the pond) Problems may also be reported in person at the Department Public Safety in Crisp Hall. Public Safety officers respond to and record complaints. Other officers and patrol employees are on foot. Non-police matters reported to Public Safety, such as mechanical or plumbing failures, will be passed on to the appropriate offices during working hours. Uniformed officers check complaints during non-working hours and call out appropriate staff personnel as needed. B. ACCESS TO FACILITIES Safety complaints such as lights out, broken sidewalks, or potential safety hazards are called in daily to the maintenance center by the Department of Public Safety, students, faculty, university employees, or guests. If possible, unsafe conditions are corrected immediately. Students living in residence halls may report maintenance problems or potential safety hazards to the Housing Department. HOW THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WORKS FOR YOUR SAFETY The Housing staff seeks to make the halls as safe as possible. All primary doors leading directly into residents' rooms are equipped with double locks and telephone jacks are provided in resident areas. Outside entrances to the residence hall (Ellington, Browning, Cooper) are secured from midnight until 6 am and authorized entrance can be made only through the main lobby doors during these hours. A worker is stationed at the lobby desk area 24 hours a day, when the residence hall is opened, and monitors entrance into the halls. Interior end hallway doors in Browning and Ellington Halls are secured 24 hours a day and authorized entrance is provided only to residents of the specific floor. Cooper Hall and University Village have outside suite doors along with individual room doors that can be double-locked. The Housing Staff employs approximately 200 staff and student workers. Resident Halls have a Hall Director and Assistant Hall Director who oversee the operation of the hall and supervise the staff. Often, they are university graduates and have or maybe obtaining a graduate degree and are experienced in resident life issues. The hall also have Resident Assistants assigned to each floor who have proven themselves to be exemplary students and who receive specialized training in conflict resolution, counseling services, emergency response procedures, crime prevention, and other issues University Village has a Community Leader (the same as a Hall Director) over all of the units and a Community Advisor (the same as a Resident Assistant) assigned to each unit. They have the same qualifications and receive the same training as the other Hall Staffs. The Housing Staff also has maintenance workers who tend to the upkeep of the facilities and they also perform a vital role in the safety and security of the residence. They are vigilant for suspicious activity and/or safety violations and take corrective actions when necessary. The Housing Staff Members are available to assist residents with safety and security issues, but the primary responsibility lies with each individual resident. Locking doors, exercising control over personal property, and remaining aware of surroundings are still the main contributors to safe and secure environment. C. CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT Public Chapter 78 of the Tennessee Public Acts of 1987 granted commissions to UT police officers and gives them police powers necessary to enforce state laws, as well as rules and regulations of the UT Board of Trustees. The authority extends to all facilities or property owned, leased or operated by the Board of Trustees, including any public roads or rights of way which are contiguous to or within the perimeter of such facilities or property. The City of Martin has also issued police commissions to the officers of the Department of Public Safety. The Martin Police are responsible for the city areas, and the University Police for the campus areas. Assistance in either area is given when deemed necessary. STATE AND LOCAL POLICE Felony arrests and some misdemeanor charges are processed through the General Sessions Court. Offenders are housed at the Weakley County jail if needed. Bond is required before an offender is released. Other charges are processed through Martin City Court. Martin City Court usually allows students to sign their own bond. PUBLIC SAFETY: A VARIETY OF PEOPLE The Department of Public Safety consists of commissioned police officers, dispatchers, safety officer, lock-up workers, secretaries, night supervisor coordinator, night supervisors and dorm patrol personnel. Upper-level personnel consist of a detective lieutenant, an operations lieutenant, a captain and a director. Over half of the officers have a bachelor's degree and others are currently seeking a bachelor's degree. Some officers have master's degrees. Uniformed officers are on duty twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year. All officers are armed when on duty. Uniformed officers receive over 80 hours of training and must qualify with their duty firearms before starting patrol. All officers must attend and graduate from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy before the end of six months of employment. New officers are sent to the academy at the first opening available. In addition to the academy, all officers attend a minimum of forty hours of state certified in-service training annually. The Department of Public Safety conducts additional on-campus training sessions throughout the year on topics specifically relevant to campus security. Upper-level supervisory personnel have extensive post-academy training. The director and captain are graduates of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The Safety Officer is responsible for keeping the campus buildings and environment up to safety standards set by federal, state, and local statute. This officer investigates employee or student accidents to make sure the accident was not a result of unsafe conditions and makes sure that corrections are completed if necessary. Checks and records are kept of safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, air packs, sprinkler systems, etc. Monthly safety bulletins are written for campus distribution. The Safety Officer coordinates training on the Campus Disaster Plan with the Emergency Preparedness Team Leaders of each academic building. This plan includes such topics as fire safety, evacuation of buildings, tornado preparedness, and other related topics. Working closely with University departments, the Safety Officer helps schedule informative meetings concerning the Right-To-Know Law, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and job safety information. As needed, the Safety Officer demonstrates proper fire extinguisher usage for maintenance personnel, custodians, the housing staff and other interested groups. Night Supervisors are in charge of the main desks in the residence halls from midnight until 8 a.m. every day that the residence hall is open. The Night Supervisors make periodic unscheduled checks of locked entrances, basements, and laundry room areas. In order to make the checks they are relieved by the Night Supervisor Coordinator or the Dorm Patrol so the main desk is not unattended. All Night Supervisors carry radios and are in contact with uniformed police officers and Department of Public Safety headquarters. Dorm Patrol consists of non-uniformed workers who observe the outer areas of the residence halls. They are also in radio contact with patrolling uniformed officers, informing them of suspicious situations around the residence halls and parking areas. Lock-up personnel and uniformed police officers have the responsibility of going through academic buildings late in the evening to check offices and classrooms and lock appropriate doors. They wear an identifiable name tag so they can easily be identified by faculty and staff working late in academic buildings. Offices, labs, and classrooms with valuable equipment are locked after a security check is made. Department safes are hand checked and reported if not properly locked. Persons in the building must produce proper identification if not known to the worker. Only students on access lists are allowed to remain in the building. All persons left in the building are reported to headquarters and listed on the daily log and/or building lock-up log. The Kathleen and Tom Elam Center, which is open to the general public, is patrolled by employees of Campus Recreation. These staff and student workers are trained to work with the University Police in reporting suspicious situations and persons. In case of any accident or other situation, uniformed officers respond upon request. Cameras monitor areas of high security risk, such as entrances to women's dressing areas, and are monitored by Campus Recreation. Many events that are hosted by UT Martin are open to the general public. Departments inform Public Safety of scheduled events and make written requests for additional uniformed officers to work these events. The Department of Public Safety does not hire untrained outside help for any events. Upon request, local police cooperate in working traffic or patrolling areas to assist in crowd control. In turn, Public Safety officers often assist with local parades or events, as well as provide back-up for Martin Police officers when requested. THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN COMMUNITY 16 Full Time Police Department Employees D. PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Against The Will Is Against The Law - This program focuses on the problems of rape and abuse in the collegiate setting. Acquaintance rape and violence in dating is targeted. Audiences of single sex are preferred. Programs are presented upon request. (60 minutes) Freshman Orientation - Each school year all freshmen participate in the program put on by members of the UTM Department of Public Safety. Some of the topics discussed are: 1. Incidents and offenses that often lead to disciplinary actions and/or arrest: - assaults and physical violence 2. Against The Will Is Against The Law: - discuss the problems of rape and abuse 3. You and The Law: - police powers; who has the power of arrest 4. Drugs and Alcohol: - sale and possession You and The Law - The Department of Public Safety and the Office of Student Affairs have prepared this program as another way to inform members of the University community of selected University rules, city ordinances and state laws. Topics discussed are: 1. Police powers; who has the power of arrest After each topic is covered questions are taken and answered. It is our hope that a better knowledge of the laws will result in fewer infractions. Children, Safety, and The Police - These programs are tailored for children of all ages, preschool through high school. Some of the program topics are: (1) Safety at Home and School, (2) Know Your Police Friends, and (3) Holiday Safety. These programs are given upon request. (30 minutes) HOW YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Against The Will Is Against the Law - This program is offered for the entering freshman class. Topics discussed are acquaintance rape, date rape, group rape, stranger rape, other forms of sexual exploitation, and suggested precautions and preventions. It is stressed to the students that there can be no guarantee of complete safety. A few practices can serve to enhance their personal safety and protection. A question and answer session is included in this program. Parent Student Orientations - This program is presented two or three times each year to prospective students and parents who spend the day on the UT Martin campus. Subjects cover responsibilities, authority, and services of the University Police: unlocking and starting cars, transporting injured, enforcing all laws and UT Martin policies, etc. Time is allotted to answer questions. (20 minutes) E. CRIME PREVENTION Campus Safety Awareness - An informative program which discusses security of persons and personal property in the dorms and around campus. Preventive measures and procedures are outlined. Assistance from law enforcement, medical and counseling agencies in the community are described. Programs are given upon request. (60 minutes) TIMELY REPORTSIf one of the seven specified reportable crimes (listed on page 10) or any other serious crime has occurred on campus and the likelihood exists of a reoccurrence, the Department of Public Safety will prepare and issue a "Timely Report" to students, faculty, and staff. The purpose of the report will be to aid in the prevention of similar occurrences. Methods of dissemination may include news releases or personal contacts with residence hall staff, faculty, campus staff, fraternities and sororities, use of campus wide e-mail, auto-dialer telephone system, emergency text messaging system, university home page, and most important of all-word of mouth. POSSESSION AND USE OF WEAPONSAll Public Safety uniformed officers and supervisors carry loaded weapons while on duty. These weapons may be used only when there is a serious, imminent, and identifiable threat to life or a threat of bodily harm. Students who possess weapons for classroom purposes or for recreation must register these weapons with Public Safety. The weapons will be tagged and secured at the Public Safety office. The weapons will be tagged and secured at the Public Safety office. Weapons may be checked in/out 24 hours a day for the Department of Public Safety. There are specific laws that cover the carrying and possession, whether openly or concealed, of weapons of all descriptions, on any school property. Penalties range from Class B misdemeanors to Class E felonies. PREVIOUS CRIMINAL CONVICTIONStudents applying to The University of Tennessee at Martin are asked if they have ever been convicted for a crime other than a minor traffic violation. If a "yes" response is received from a prospective student, this information may be used in the assignment of University housing. Prospective employees are asked if they have ever been convicted of any criminal offense. UT Martin will not hire a candidate for a position if a prior offense indicates that the hiring would create a significant threat to the University community or to the public. Persons with previous felony convictions cannot be Public Safety officers. UT Martin officials from Student Affairs, Continuing Education, Public Safety, Housing and the Chancellor's Staff, in consultation with The University of Tennessee Legal Counsel, established the following guidelines for University housing for persons arrested for commission of a serious crime: (a) Any sentence imposed must be served or parole granted before a determination is made regarding housing. (b) Each person's individual records will be examined to make a determination as to whether University housing should be provided. (c) If University housing is provided, certain conditions may be imposed (for example, assignments of roommates, registration with Public Safety, etc.). F. CRIME STATISTICS AND CRIME RATE G. OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATION CRIMINAL ACTIVITY H. ALCOHOL REGULATIONS Individual students identified by police officers, faculty, or staff as appearing to have a drug or alcohol problem are referred to Student Affairs and the Counseling Center for evaluation and/or treatment. The following programs have been developed to help eliminate alcohol abuse: Alcohol Education - A DUI information program consisting of slides and verbal descriptions of alcohol related accidents involving UT Martin students. Precautionary measures and current Tennessee alcohol laws, including the new 18-20 year old Alcoholic Beverage Violations laws, are also explained. This program is presented at Freshman Studies and upon request. (45 minutes) Alcohol Abuse - A program which discusses the laws pertaining to alcohol, symptoms of alcohol abuse, precautionary measures, and area services available for counseling alcohol problems. This program is presented upon request. (60 minutes) Know Your Limits - This is a different type of educational program that demonstrates levels of intoxication. The officers demonstrate a hand-held INTOXIMETER . The officers also explain the aspects of laws on alcohol possession and consumption. The interaction and sharing of information make this a very positive program. ILLEGAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT Drug Education - A program to educate students on the types and effects of drug usage. The emphasis is on preventive measures. Drug laws are thoroughly discussed. CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAMS I. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS J. IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM K. WHO TO NOTIFY If you do not want to call the police, call a friend. If the friend thinks you should report the offense but you cannot bring yourself to do it, let the friend report and give the information to the authorities. L. COUNSELING M. CHANGE IN HOUSING N. DISCIPLINARY ACTION 1. Students alleged to have committed a sex offense will be charged with violation of Standards of Conduct numbers 4 and 13. 2. Cases will be referred to the University Council when a hearing is needed. 3. The accuser and the accused have been, and will continue to be, entitled to have others present during a disciplinary proceeding. 4. Both the accuser and the accused will be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sex offense. 5. Sanctions for violating any standard of conduct range from a warning, to probation, to suspension, to permanent dismissal. For sex offenses, suspension will be the least sanction to be recommended. Phones with Photographic Capabilities Cellular phones, pagers and other electronic devices shall not be used in a manner that causes disruption in the classroom, library or within University-owned or University-operated facilities, nor will these devices be used in an inappropriate manner. Utilizing these devices for purposes of photographing test question, other forms of academic misconduct, or illegal activity, such as photographing individuals in secure areas such as lavatories, dorm rooms, or locker rooms when a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, is prohibited.
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