Safe and Secure
About TU
The University of Tulsa is a community of approximately 6,100 people, centrally located within the city of Tulsa. As a part of the larger community, the University shares many of the same interests and problems, including concern about crime - a national problem that affects us all.
To prevent criminal incidents from occurring, a trained University security force works with a competent student life staff to ensure that students and their possessions are protected as well as possible. Ultimately, students are responsible for their security.
In 2003, approximately 4,050 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at The University of Tulsa. More than 2,000 live in residence halls or apartments on campus. the university employs approximately 1,200 full-time faculty and staff.
Students, faculty, and staff at The University of Tulsa have access to academic, recreational, and administrative facilities on campus. The general public is invited to attend cultural and sporting events on campus, with limited access to the facilities in which the events are held.
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Safety and Security
Campus Safety and Security is coordinated by the University’s department of Safety and Security located at 2819 East 10th Street. The department has a full-time force of 20 security officers who do not have the authority to arrest. The force is augmented by off-duty Tulsa police officers on a regular basis.
University security officers are not armed. However, the off-duty Tulsa police officers are armed in case of emergency. On-duty Tulsa police are called if necessary.
Officers conduct foot and vehicular patrols of the campus and residence hall areas 24 hours a day. The Department of Safety and Security staff works closely with the Tulsa Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to ensure awareness of incidents that may occur off campus.
Potential criminal actions and other emergencies on campus can be reported by any student, faculty member, or employee of the University by dialing campus extension 5555 anytime of the day. Calls to the Tulsa police via the enhanced emergency 911 system are also monitored by campus security who will respond. Upon receipt of a call, campus security is dispatched immediately to the site of the complaint and takes the appropriate action or contacts the proper agency.
Campus security offers a free escort service for persons who must move around campus alone at night. This service also is extended to those persons with permanent or temporary disabilities. The escort service can be accessed by calling the Security Office at 5555.
For additional information about the Department of Safety and Security, Daily Campus Crime Reports, as well as links to other helpful websites, please visit Campus Security Home.
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Campus Security
As part of the program sponsored by the Resident Life staff and by other University organizations, campus security holds sessions each year on topics including personal safety awareness, rape prevention, and the prevention of burglary and vandalism. Information on safety and security is provided to students and employees at orientation and seminars and through the student newspaper, crime alert bulletins, and the campus television station.
The Physical Plant Department staff maintains the University buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security. They inspect campus facilities regularly and respond to reports of potential safety and security hazards such as broken windows and locks. The physical plant staff makes sure the campus is well-lit, and additional lighting is installed as needed. Furthermore, the campus is routinely inspected to ensure that all lights are functioning.
There are outdoor emergency telephones strategically located around campus. The phones are connected directly to the Security Office. Emergency phones are also located at the entrances to campus residence halls. Everyone should be familiar with the location of these emergency phones. Each student’s room is equipped with a telephone as well.
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Residence Halls
The University of Tulsa has both single-sex and optional coed residence halls, each with various visitation hours. These residence halls accommodate three lifestyles: halls for women only, halls for men only, and halls for men and women.
Full-time freshmen students are required to live and dine on campus unless they live with parents or guardians within a 20-mile radius of the University.
Professional residence directors and residence assistants, who are all members of the University Residence Life staff, live in the residence halls and are on call 24 hours a day. Desk workers are assigned to the central desk at the main entrance of each residence hall on a 24-hour basis. These desk workers are in immediate telephone contact with campus security officers if necessary. As part of their responsibility for residence hall security, the residence life staff participates in training associated with the safety and security of the campus conducted by University administrators and safety and security personnel.
All residence hall exterior doors are locked 24 hours each day except for exterior doors that are supervised by a 24 hours-a-day desk. These supervised exterior doors are unlocked from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. All exterior residence hall doors, supervised or not, are equipped with proximity electronic readers and alarms. This electronic system is designed to allow authorized entry and warn residents of unlocked or open exterior doors in the residence halls. Various halls require visitors to be escorted through the hall by a resident. The student rooms in the residence halls all have dead-bolt locks, and windows have locking devices. Special security procedures are in effect for students during low occupancy periods. Access to residence halls by University employees is on an as-needed basis and incorporates strict key control procedures.
There is housing for married students in University-owned apartments on campus. Other housing includes apartments, individual homes, fraternity houses, and sororities. The Residence Life staff does not provide supervision for Greek housing, individual homes, or apartments not owned by the University.
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Weapons
Firearms and dangerous weapons of any kind are not permitted on campus or in residence halls. Intentional use or possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons by students is strictly forbidden, and violation can result in disciplinary action. Firearms must be checked in and stored in the security office.
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Investigations
In addition to our full time Security force of 16, The Department of Safety and Security employees a number of Tulsa Police Officers on a part time basis.
Investigations are either handled with the cooperation of the Tulsa Police (on duty) or by the Director of Security and our part time Tulsa Police Officers (as necessary). The department employs one robbery detective, two detectives from the fraud division, a Gangs Task Force member, and one detective from the homicide division. We also have a forensic document examiner on staff.
Internal investigations are conducted by the Director of Security, in cooperation with Personnel Services, the University’s Compliance Attorney, and General Counsel. Allegations of criminal behavior are investigated also by the Tulsa Police Department.
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Identification Cards
All students, faculty and staff must have identification cards issued by the University. The cards are needed for checking books out of the libraries, identification at various campus business offices and activities, and for all Vali-Dine operations.
University of Tulsa students must carry their TU student identification card when they are on University property or at University events. Students should not loan their identification card to anyone for any reason. No card can be used for a student identification card except the one specifically issued by the University of Tulsa. Students and employees are required to show their TU identification card to University personnel when requested to gain admission to University events and to identify themselves while on University property.
Anyone who fails or refuses to show his or her TU identification card upon request will be asked to leave the campus. While this requirement may seem restrictive, it is designed to best serve the needs of all members of the campus community.
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Alcohol & Drugs
The University’s policy on alcoholic beverages and use of drugs or illegal substances is in compliance with state and federal laws. The University provides for the sale of alcoholic beverages in certain locations and under certain circumstances, including through organizational activities (with prior approval). Organizational officers will be held responsible for the activities of their organization members and guests.
In keeping with University policy respecting the rights of students as adult citizens, students are legally responsible and liable for the consequences of their actions. Status as a University student does not make students exempt from otherwise applicable laws.
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Sexual Assault
Programs addressing the problems of rape, acquaintance rape, and sexual harassment are offered throughout the year by campus security, the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, the Student Association, and the Residence Life staff, and during orientation. All students and employees, men and women alike, are encouraged to attend programs and become familiar with University policies, procedures, and services. These programs are designed to heighten awareness of all forms of sexual aggression with the ultimate goal of reducing students’ and employees’ risk of becoming perpetrators or victims. Sexual harassment is addressed in a separate University policy.
In the event a student or employee is sexually assaulted, the victim should do the following:
- Call campus security and/or the Tulsa Police Department for assistance and to report the incident. Reporting does not require prosecution. Campus authorities are available to assist with reporting procedures.
- Get medical attention.
- Avoid bathing, douching, changing clothes, or any other activity that might destroy evidence of the assault.
- Seek emotional support from friends, relatives, and counselors. Counseling is available through the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, Office of the University Chaplain, campus ministries, and “Call Rape.”
Normally, when a sexual assault is reported, Tulsa police contact Call Rape on behalf of the victim. A representative comes to the examination room to provide support and assist with victim/family counseling and victim compensation. Call Rape maintains a 24-hour crisis line, 744-RAPE. Rape examinations generally are paid for by the Tulsa Police Department if made within 24 hours.
Academic schedule and housing changes will be made if reasonably available. Student victims should contact the dean of their college to arrange academic schedule changes. The housing office will provide emergency housing if living arrangements must be changed.
Any student or employee who wishes to file a disciplinary complaint may do so according to established procedures. Regardless of whether law enforcement or criminal justice authorities choose to prosecute an act involving a University student or employee, disciplinary action may be imposed through a campus disciplinary proceeding. During such a disciplinary proceeding, the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present. Disciplinary sanctions may be imposed on students or employees who commit a sexual offense on campus or in connection with University-sponsored activities. Possible sanctions to be imposed following the final determination of disciplinary procedures include suspension or expulsion from the University or termination of University employment. The accuser and the accused will be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceedings brought alleging sexual misconduct.
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Community Responsibility
The cooperation and involvement of members of the campus community in a campus safety program is absolutely necessary. We all can assume responsibility for our own personal safety and the security of our belongings by following the simple, common sense precautions below:
- Use the security escort service when moving about campus late at night.
- Lock room doors when unoccupied.
- Do not leave purses, wallets, credit cards, or identification cards (including campus ID and drivers license) unattended.
- Engrave social security number on valuable items such as stereos, cameras, televisions, and computers. Engravers may be checked out from the security office at no charge.
- Place bicycles in racks, and secure them with sturdy cables and locks.
- Record serial numbers, when available, and store them separately.
- Lock vehicles at all times, and remove valuable items.
- Report any unusual activity, suspicious individuals, or malfunctioning equipment to Residence Life staff and/or security.
- In the event of a weather alert, act responsibly and take cover as needed.
- Observe all campus rules and regulations