Campus Safety

General

• Read the Parking Manual: 2023-2024 Tusculum University Motor Vehicle Regulations
• Read and understand the Tusculum University Emergency Response Guide: Emergency Response Guidelines 2019
• Make certain you update your Regroup/Pioneer Alert information with any new phone numbers so you may receive emergency alerts (you may opt out of general alerts and get only emergency alerts)

Crime Prevention

Crime Log

• Immediately report any suspected crime, suspicious person (s) or threatening circumstances to campus safety (423) 636-7318
• Keep your room locked and be sure your resident hall entrance door locks behind you
• Secure your valuables at all times
• Keep a list of your valuables with serial numbers and description
• Use a lockable trunk in your dorm room to lock up valuables while away or take your valuables with you!
• Lock your vehicle and do not keep valuables visible from the outside of your car
• Use the escort service for an officer to walk with you to your destination on campus

Consent

Tea! The best way to explain consent. Copyright ©2015 Emmeline May and Blue Seat Studios.

Consent: If you don’t get it, you don’t get it. Take the pledge to help stop sexual assault at It’s On Us. #ItsOnUs

Posted by The White House on Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Fire

The Alarming Truth

• Do not Park in any grass
• Cul-de-sacs are for loading/unloading with a 15 minute time limit, not parking – leave your hazard lights on to let officers know you will return shortly
• Lock Your Doors

• Vehicle Registration
• TU Motor Vehicle Regulations

In case of inclement weather, information regarding changes in schedules or closings will be communicated through the Tusculum Pioneer Alert System.

Information will also be posted to the Tusculum University newsfeed on the Pioneer Portal homepage, as well as to Tusculum University social media accounts.

All students and employees should sign up for Pioneer Alert by Regroup, Tusculum’s emergency alert and notification system. Regroup delivers rapid, multi-platform messages in the event of an emergency to students, faculty and staff. This will be your best source for timely information and instructions on what to do in the event of any campus emergency.

Tusculum University students and employees should regularly check their Regroup account to ensure it has the most up-to-date contact information.

Weather

• Severe Thunderstorms  –  Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings Explained
• Lightning
• Tornado  –  Tornado Watches and Warnings Explained
• Flood
• Winter Weather
• Cold Weather

Severe Weather Safety

• Safety apps from Google and Apple Store: http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/tornado-app
• From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml

Driving in Winter Weather Conditions

• From AAA: http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/roadway-safety/winter-driving-tips/

Winter Weather Safety and Preparedness

• From The Weather Channel: http://www.weather.com/life/safety/winter/winter-safety_2011-10-05
• Frostbite Prevention from the Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frostbite/basics/prevention/con-20034608

Media Updates

Pioneer Alert, sometimes referred to as Regroup, is the system Tusculum uses to notify employees and students of emergencies, events, and weather related schedule changes on campus.

Members of the Tusculum University community can follow the steps listed below to ensure their information is up-to-date.

Even if you have updated your information in the past, you should check it periodically to verify the correct contact information is listed within the notification system.

1. Click on this link: https://tusculum.regroup.com/
2. Enter your Tusculum University email and enter in your password for Regroup. If you do not know your password to Regroup, follow steps A-D before 3-5. If you DO know your password to Regroup, skip to step 3:
   1. Click the link https://tusculum.regroup.com/passwords/new or the “Forgot Password” link under the email section of the sign in page.
   2. Next enter email address and hit submit.
   3. Check your email for an email from the Regroup System to update your password and click the link.
   4. Update your password.
3. Click on “Preferences” in the top right hand corner.
4. To update your email and phone number, click the email/phone tab – be sure to click/tap “Save”.
5. To select your contact methods for individual groups, please select the Group Notifications tab and make whatever changes you wish – be sure to click/tap “Save”.

Since 2002, the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)™ Program at Texas State University has been used to train law enforcement officers across the nation in how to rapidly respond to dangerous active threat situations. Over the years we’ve seen response times shorten and the capabilities of law enforcement increase. As a result of increased public awareness, many citizens have asked what individuals can do protect themselves and reduce the dangers faced during one of these events. Avoid | Deny | Defend™ has been developed as an easy to remember method for individuals to follow. As we’ve seen that hiding and hoping isn’t a very effective strategy.

For more information visit Avoid | Deny | Defend.

Pioneer Alert Indicating an Active Shooter

When you receive a Pioneer Alert notifying you that an active shooter has been reported, try to stay calm and follow the instructions given.

If you are not on campus, stay away until an official notice is sent telling you it is safe to return.

What to Do

if you receive a Pioneer Alert or hear gunfire on campus

When Law Enforcement Arrives

• Stay calm and follow the officers’ instructions.
• Put down any items in your hands (e.g. cell phones, bags, coats)
• Raise your hands above your head and spread your fingers
• Avoid any sudden movements
• Do not stop to ask questions or talk to officers while evacuating.
• When prompted, give the following information to officers:
  • Location of shooter/attacker
  • Number of shooters/attackers
  • Description of shooter/attacker
  • Types of weapons

DOWNLOAD ACTIVE SHOOTER POCKET CARD

See Something, Say Something

If you have a concern about someone on campus whose behavior is worrisome and you feel may become violent, contact Campus Safety at (423)636-7318. You may be helping to stop a developing situation that could become harmful to that individual or others.

Anyone can file a report of a potential violation of Title IX (sex or gender discrimination including sexual harassment and assault). To do so, please contact one of our Title IX Coordinators (listed below) at anytime. You can call, stop by our offices, send normal mail, or send email to titleix@tusculum.edu. If you have an emergency, please contact 911 and then Campus Safety at (423) 636-7318.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Employee Training

Tusculum University outsources much of its initial and ongoing training concerning Title IX through the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA). To view the training material that each of our team members have been trained on, please go to the ATIXA training site located here.

• Title IX Coordinators at Tusculum University have received the following training through ATIXA: Title IX Coordinator and Administrator Training and Certification Course; and, Level 1 & 2 Civil Rights Investigator.
• Title IX Investigators and decision makers have received the following training through ATIXA: Level 1 Civil Rights Investigator.

During the 2020-2021 school year, all employees at Tusculum University received yearly mandatory training on Title IX. Here are the training materials used during this training: 2020-21 Employee Inservice TITLE IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law intended to end sex discrimination in all areas of education. It applies to non-discrimination based on sex/gender to all recipients of federal funds, both public and private institutions. Additionally, it applies to issues of program equity, such as in athletics, and also to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and gender discrimination. In addition to the implementing regulations, the guidelines for compliance with Title IX are provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Tusculum University adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Tusculum University will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission on the basis of race, sex, gender, religion, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, military or veteran’s status, genetic information, physical appearance, or any other protected discriminatory factor, in its employment practices or in the provision of, or access to educational programs and services.

Statement Regarding Complainant & Respondent Rights

Any person can file a report of a violation of Title IX by emailing titleix@tusculum.edu. Even if you do not wish to file a formal complaint, the Title IX team can still provide supporting measures to you. If you are a victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault, you may choose to contact Tusculum University’s ADA & Counseling Coordinator in order to receive confidential advice or counseling services. To do so, please visit our Health & ADA page.

If you are accused of a violation of our Title IX Policy you are considered “not responsible” unless and until there is a finding rendered by a non-biased panel of trained decision makers. Facing an accusation of a violation of Title IX can be a stressful process. In order to assist you during this time, please contact the ADA & Counseling Coordinator by visiting our Health & ADA page for confidential advice and counseling services. Additionally, the university can assist you by providing supporting measures during our process.

To learn more about our process, please view Tusculum University Title IX Policy and Procedures.

Prohibited Behavior per Title IX Policy

• Sexual Harassment
  • Hostile Environment
  • Quid Pro Quo (This for That)
  • Retaliation
• Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse (e.g., Forcible Rape, Forcible Sodomy)
• Non-Consensual Sexual Contact (e.g., Forcible Fondling, Sexual Assault with an Object)
• Dating or Intimate Partner Violence
• Domestic Violence
• Stalking
• Sexual Exploitation
  • Sexual voyeurism (such as watching a person undressing, using the bathroom or engaged in sexual acts without the consent of the person observed).
  • Invasion of sexual privacy.
  • Taking pictures or video or audio recording another in a sexual act, or in any other private activity without the consent of all involved in the activity.
  • Administering alcohol or drugs (such as “date rape” drugs) to another person without their knowledge or consent (assuming the act is not completed).
  • Exposing one’s genitals in non-consensual circumstances.
  • Sexually-based stalking and/or bullying may also be forms of sexual exploitation.
• Retaliation – the university strictly forbids retaliation against anyone for making a complaint, providing information, or otherwise participation in the Title IX program or process.
  • Retaliation is defined as any adverse action taken against a person participating in a protected activity because of their participation in that protected activity. Retaliation against an individual for alleging harassment, supporting a party bringing an allegation or for assisting in providing information relevant to a claim of harassment is a serious violation of university policy and will be treated as another possible instance of harassment or discrimination. Acts of alleged retaliation should be reported immediately to the Title IX Co-Coordinators and will be promptly investigated. Tusculum University is prepared to take appropriate steps to protect individuals who fear that they may be subjected to retaliation.

For more information regarding prohibited behavior, review our Title IX Policies & Procedures.

Crime Log

A daily crime log is maintained by the Office of Campus Safety to provide the Tusculum University community with information on security-related incidents that occur on campus or on surrounding off-campus property in a timely manner.

The daily crime log will be updated within 2 business days of the last reported crime. However, if there is clear and convincing evidence that the release of such information would jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation or the safety of an individual, cause a suspect to flee or evade detection, or result in the destruction of evidence, such information may be withheld until that damage is no longer likely to occur from the release of such information.

TU 60 Day Crime Log

previous crime logs are available on request from the Chief of Campus Safety

Annual Security & Fire Safety Report

Tusculum University’s Office of Campus Safety reports all known incidents of crime on campus to both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional Information on University safety policies, procedures, and criminal and safety statistics can be seen in the annual report below, and crime information can be reviewed for Tusculum University and all other accredited institutions at the state and federal levels at the following links:

• 2023 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report
• Federal Crime on Campus

Tennessee Sex Offender Registry

Law enforcement information provided by the State of Tennessee concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained from the link below. In addition to information about the offender, this site includes the capability of plotting registered offenders residing within a given distance of an address supplied by the user.

TN SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

Emergency Crisis Response Plan