Everyone has a role in the campus effort to be prepared. More importantly, every student, faculty, and staff member is a critical part of the response. Complete the following steps to be better prepared for emergencies.  

• Know and save emergency contacts: 

• 911 for emergencies 

• University of Tennessee Police Department (UTPD) (865-974-3111) 

• At least one personal contact  

• Sign up for UT Alerts to be sent to your phone by providing your cell number. 

• Know where emergency blue-light phones are and how to use them.  

• Learn about campus emergency procedures and take drills seriously. 

• For more information about emergency preparedness, visit Emergency Management’s website.  

Being prepared to prevent, detect, and respond to fire is an important part of campus safety. All residence halls and campus buildings are equipped with fire detection and alarm equipment. However, if you see a fire or smoke in a building, pull the nearest fire alarm. Other information about fire safety on campus can be found on the Emergency Management website.  

• If you see a fire, call 911 immediately. 

• Do not use candles and avoid overloading outlets. 

• Do not leave food cooking unattended. 

• Know evacuation routes. 

• Take all fire alarms seriously. 

• Initiating a false fire alarm may result in university disciplinary action and can be punishable by law. 

Check out UT’s fire log to review fires that have occurred in or around campus housing. For more information on fire safety, fire statistics in on-campus residence halls, or fire safety systems in on-campus residence halls, please see the Fire Safety Report within the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Other polices and procedures relating to emergencies and fire safety are also available on the UT Public Safety website.

UT wants all community members to make the best decisions for their own safety, including if/when they choose to leave campus. Please review the following safety tips when “going out.” 

• Have a plan when going out such as:  

• • Where you’re going 

• • How you’ll get there and back 

• • Share these plans with someone you trust  

• Utilize the T Link which has evening service options to pick you up, including in the Fort Sanders neighborhood. 

• If using rideshares, use rideshare safety steps such as: 
  • Order while you are inside to minimize the time you are waiting outside on the street.
  • Before entering a vehicle, verify that the car, driver, and license plate match what’s shown in the app.
  • Never get in a vehicle with anyone who is not registered with a ride-share app.
  • If you ever feel unsafe, call 911.

• Use a buddy system at social events and don’t leave friends behind. 

• Don’t leave an area with a person you don’t know or if you are are not comfortable with them. 

• If you choose to drink alcohol: 

• • Practice responsible drinking and know your own limits for alcohol 

• • Know and follow laws and policies about drinking alcohol 

• • Don’t provide alcohol to minors 

• • Learn signs of alcohol poisoning and call 911 if you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning 

• • UTK offers amnesty to both students who call for help and the impaired student(s). No formal disciplinary action will be taken against either.  

• • Don’t accept drinks from someone you don’t know 

• • Review more information about Alcohol Safety on The Center for Health Education & Wellness’s website. 

UT is committed to educating students about the dangers of hazing and fostering environments where leadership, teamwork, and friendships are built without harm. Through initiatives like National Hazing Prevention Week, educational workshops, and clear reporting procedures, the university empowers students to recognize, prevent, and stand against hazing. If you or someone you know is experiencing hazing, resources and support are available because every Volunteer deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. 

• There is no such thing as harmless hazing. 

• Identify it: Review signs and types of hazing to be able to identify it. 

• Act on it: Students who experience or witness hazing are encouraged to remove themselves from the situation as soon as it is safe to do so. You should then contact the Dean of Students Office for support and guidance and/or report it.  

• • If you know someone you suspect is experiencing hazing, you should report it.  

• Prevent it: For more information about hazing and how you can prevent it, visit the hazing prevention website. 

An important aspect of safety is the health and well-being of all students. The mental, physical, and emotional health of a student are essential for both success in the classroom and campus safety. Please review the following resources to prioritize your overall well-being: 

•  Center for Basic Needs 

• • College students’ basic needs encompass essentials crucial for their personal well-being and academic success. Specifically, these include secure housing, reliable food access, healthcare services, transportation options, financial resources, academic support, and personal safety. Meeting these needs is paramount in creating a supportive environment that enables students to focus on their studies, personal growth, and overall success at the university. The Center for Basic needs has many programs available to help Vols.  

• Center for Care and Resilience 

• • The Center for Care and Resilience works collaboratively with students and the university to support individuals who are experiencing distress in their lives. They gather information and assess the factors contributing to the concerns of a student, family member, or administrator. We meet with students to create and implement a plan that supports self-advocacy, growth, and a return to a level of functioning most likely to promote success. That plan includes connecting students to appropriate on-campus and community resources that best support their needs. 

• Center for Health Education & Wellness 

• • The Center for Health Education and Wellness empowers all Volunteers to thrive by cultivating personal and community well-being. Visit their website to learn more about different programming surrounding health topics such as alcohol & drug risk reduction, general health, healthy relationships, and more.  

• Student Counseling Center 

• • The Student Counseling Center offers short-term individual therapy as well as group therapy, skills training, seminars, and support groups. As a department within the Division of Student Life, their multidisciplinary team includes psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other helping professionals who work collaboratively to support the University of Tennessee, Knoxville student community. 

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Dangerous situations, such as robberies, abductions, active weapons, or carjacking, are extremely rare on campus. It never hurts to be prepared. Please use the following guidelines for your safety if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. 

• If it is possible without compromising your safety, call 911 immediately.  

• • Many smartphones have features to call 911 without having to dial it. For example, iPhones can be set to call 911 after pressing the side button five times.  

• If the attacker is asking for your property, do not resist and give it to them.  

• If an attacker is attempting to do something to you against your will, such as get you into a car, take you to a different location, or stifling your cry for help, it is within your right to fight back or yell out for help if you are able to.  

• • UTPD offers free classes on self-defense if you would like to participate. 

• If an attacker has an active weapon, use the protocol of Run, Hide, Fight. For more information go Emergency Management’s website. 

• After the incident: Your personal safety is our top priority. If you have not already, call 911 or UTPD – 865-974-3111. If you’re in an isolated area, move to an area with people and ask someone to stay with you while you wait for help. If you opt to remain at the crime scene, try not to touch anything. If there were any witnesses, ask them to remain with you until the officers arrive. If they must leave, write down their name, address, and telephone number. 

UT is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment free from sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), sexual exploitation, and retaliation, collectively known as prohibited conduct. For more information about the university’s work and policy on prohibited conduct, please visit the Office of Title IX’s website.  

It is important to remember that it is never the fault of the person experiencing prohibited conduct. The majority of interpersonal violence is perpetrated by someone the person knows. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct, you are not alone. Visit the Office of Title IX’s website for more information on support, resources, and how to connect with the Office of Title IX.  

Interpersonal safety tips: 

• Avoid sharing your real-time location on social media. 

• Use a code word/phrase with a trusted person to signal you need help. 

• During a sexual encounter, each person has a responsibility for obtaining Consent from the other person. “Consent” means an active agreement to participate in a sexual act. An active agreement is words and/or conduct that communicate a person’s willingness to participate in a sexual act. 

• You are not alone. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking, please utilize campus or community resources: 

• • Office of Title IX for private on-campus support  

• • Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee for confidential off-campus support 

• Use campus resources for mental and emotional health support. 

• Vols ACT – practice being an active bystander 

• • Acknowledge the situation 

• • Consider your options 

• • Take action 

Micromobility vehicles are small, lightweight, personal transportation devices that typically cannot travel faster than 30 MPH. Micromobility vehicles include non-motorized, human-powered vehicles, such as bicycles, as well as motorized, electric powered vehicles, such as electric bicycles, electric scooters, electric skateboards, electric unicycles, and other small personal transportation vehicles. With the increase in popularity of these devices, it is important to remember the following: 

• Lock all micromobility devices to dedicated bike stands located all over campus.  

• Do not leave your device unlocked when unoccupied. 

• Register your bicycle with the university. 

• When using your device, wear a helmet, follow the rules of the road, and ride distraction free (no headphones).  

• Use the bike lane or road when possible.  

• On sidewalks, pedestrians have the right of way. If it is crowded, micromobility devices should be walked, not ridden, on the sidewalk. 

UT has many resources available for community members to increase their safety online. For more information about trainings available, visit the Office of Innovative Technologies website.  

• Limit what you share online (especially location/personal details). 

• Use privacy settings and be careful about who to trust online, particularly when sharing personal information or photos. 

• Use strong passwords and update them regularly. 

• Avoid phishing emails and be cautious about clicking on links from emails that you do not know. 

• Exercise caution when utilizing public Wi‑Fi. 

• Keep devices fully updated, which often include updates to security features. 

• Routinely check your credit score for major changes.