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Campus Safety & Security Links:

In fulfillment of the U. S. Department of Education’s regulations under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics relating to the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (Public Law 101-542, ammended by Public Law 102-26), [formerly the Campus Security Act].

Memphis Theological Seminary provides its students, faculty and staff with the following information. Each year the U.S. Department of Education collects crime statistics and publishes data for colleges and universities at its web site:http://ope.ed.gov/security/search.asp

This policy sets forth the provisions of compliance of this act in order to provide necessary information about college crime. Reportable crimes included in this act are murder, non-negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, forcible/non-forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

The Administration is concerned with the well being and safety of all students and will strictly enforce regulations necessary for the protection of all. All incidences of unlawful acts should be reported to the Director of Facilities and Safety.

The Department of Facilities and Safety, with the assistance from other departments within the Seminary, prepares the annual report in compliance with federal and state law. Statistics are compiled from reports made directly to the Department of Facilities and Safety or other Campus Safety Authorities. Information regarding campus disciplinary referrals is obtained from Student Affairs, information about crimes occurring at off-campus property owned, leased, or controlled by Memphis Theological Seminary is solicited from the respective agencies. Data received from these sources is compiled with and included in the annual disclosure of crime statistics.

Disclosure of Crime Statistics

The Safety Department prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. The full text of this report can be located at https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/security. The Crime Statistic for the last three calendar years is also available at this link. This report is prepared in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies surrounding our main campus and alternate sites.

Crime Statistics information is compiled thru using a daily crime – incident reporting system for the Seminary Campus and public information resources from the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriffs Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations for crime in the campuses Clery geographic area. These statistics may also include crimes that have occurred in private residences or businesses and is not required by law. Tennessee Penal Code requires prompt, mandatory reporting to the local law enforcement agency by when medical services are provided to a person they know or reasonably suspect is suffering from a wound inflicted by a firearm or is a result of assault or abusive conduct.

It is the responsibility of the Director of Student Services and/or the Director of Facilities and Safety to inform students of the procedure to report crime to the Memphis Police Department on a voluntary or confidential basis, should they feel it is in the best interest of the student. A procedure is in place to anonymously capture crime statistics disclosed confidentially.

Each year, an e-mail notification is made to all enrolled students that provide the web site to access the report. Faculty and staff receive similar notifications. Copies of the report may also be obtained in the Office of the Director of Facilities and Safety located at 139 Roberta Drive or by calling (901) 334-5834. Prospective employees may obtain a copy from the Human Resources office located in Founders Hall outside the Presidents Office or by calling (901 334-5809). The web site address will be attached to the Memphis Theological Seminary employment application.

Timely Warnings

In the event that a situation arises, either on or off Campus, that, in the judgment of the President, Vice President of Operations, and or the Director of Facilities and Safety constitutes an ongoing threat , a campus wide “timely warning” will be issued. The warning will be issued through the seminary e-mail system to students, faculty, staff and the campus housing.

Depending on the particular circumstance of the crime, especially in all situations that could pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, the Safety Department may also post a notice on the Seminary website and or bulletin boards located thru out the campus. Notices will also be posted on the bulletin boards within commuter housing. Notices are also posted thru out the neighborhoods to promote awareness of crime within our campus geography. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances immediately to the Director of Facilities and Safety by phone (901-334-5834) or to the Security Personnel on duty (901-834-7877). The Director of Facilities and Safety Office is located at 139 Roberta Drive, Memphis, Tennessee 38112, behind Hilliard Hall and next to Student Housing.

Addressing Security and Access

During business hours, the Seminary (excluding certain housing facilities) will be open to students, parents, employees, contractors, guests, and invitees. During non-business hours access to all Seminary facilities is by key, if issued, or by admittance via the Department of Facilities and Safety or the Security staff.

In the case of periods of extended closing, the Seminary will admit only those with prior written approval to all facilities.

Residence commuter housing are secured 24 hours a day. Over extended breaks, the doors of all buildings will be secured around the clock. Some facilities may have individual hours, which may vary at different times of the year. Examples are the Library or Brown Shannon Student Center. In these cases, the facilities will be secured according to schedules developed by the department responsible for the facility.

Emergencies may necessitate changes or alterations to any posted schedules. Areas that are revealed as problematic may have security surveys conducted of them.

Administrators from the President’s Office, CFO/Vice President of Operations, Dean’s Office, and the Director of Facilities and Safety and other concerned areas review these results. These surveys examine security issues such as landscaping, locks, alarms, lighting, and communications.

Additionally, during the academic year, the Director of Facilities and Safety and the CFO/Vice President of Operations meet weekly to discuss issues of pressing concern.

Campus Law Enforcement Authority

Memphis Theological Seminary Safety and Security offices have the authority to ask persons for identification and to determine whether individuals have lawful business at Memphis Theological Seminary. Security officers have the authority to issue parking tickets, which are billed to financial accounts of students, faculty, and staff. Safety and Security officers do not possess arrest power.

Criminal incidents are referred to the Memphis Police Department who have jurisdiction on the campus. The Safety and Security Office at Memphis Theological Seminary maintains a highly professional working relationship with the Memphis Police Department.

All crime victims and witnesses are strongly encouraged to immediately report the crime to campus Safety and Security Office and the Memphis Police Department. Prompt reporting will assure timely warning notices on-campus and timely disclosure of crime statistics.

Addressing Security Awareness Programs for Students and Employees

During orientation in August and January students are informed of services offered by the department of Facilities and Safety. Verbal and written presentations outline ways to maintain personal safety and residence security. Students are told about crime on-campus and in surrounding neighbor-hoods. Similar information is presented to new employees.

A common theme of all awareness and crime prevention programs is to encourage students and employees to be aware of their responsibility for their own security and the security of others.

In addition to information disseminated to students and employees through crime prevention awareness packets, security alert posters, displays, and articles and advertisements on the Seminary website.
When time is of the essence, information is released to the Seminary community through security alerts posted prominently throughout campus, through computer memos sent over the Seminaries electronic mail system and physical notification of students within the classroom setting.

Crime Prevention Literature on personal safety and theft prevention are issued by the Department of Facilities and Safety throughout the year. The Director of Facilities and Safety and personnel facilitate programs for student, staff, and faculty, and new employee orientations, in addition to quarterly programs for Housing Resident Managers and residents providing a variety of educational strategies and tips on how to protect themselves from sexual assault, theft and other crimes.

Sexual Offender Registry Statements

TBI Sex Offender Registry Statement

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI):  The Tennessee Sexual Offender and Violent Sexual Offender Registration, Verification and Tracking Act of 2004, was established in TCA 40-39-201 et. seq., and became effective August 1, 2004.  All persons, who meet the definition of sexual offender or violent sexual offender, and who live, work, attend school or establish a physical presence in Tennessee, must register with the appropriate registering agencies as defined by law.

In accordance with the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, which amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, the Memphis Theological Seminary is providing a link to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Sex Offender Registry.  This act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement information provided by the State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.  It also requires sex offenders, already required to register in the State, to provide notice to any institute of higher education in this State at which the person is employed, carries a vocation, or is a student. In the State of Tennessee, those convicted as sex offenders must register with a Law Enforcement Agency as required by law.

TBI serves as the central repository for the sex offender registry in Tennessee. To search the sex offender registry, please use the links below.

Direct Link to the TBI Sex Offender Registry:

https://www.tn.gov/tbi/general-information/tennessee-sex-offender-registry.html

Direct Link to the TBI Sex Offender Registry – Map Offenders:

http://tnmap.tn.gov/sor/

Direct Link to the TBI Sex Offender Registry – Search:

http://sor.tbi.tn.gov/SOMainpg.aspx

 

Arkansas Sexual Offender Registry Statement

In Arkansas, when a sex offender is determined guilty in a court of law, the offender is required to complete the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) sex offender registration form, which must be sent to ACIC within three (3) days after completion.

Law enforcement agencies are responsible for registering sex offenders who:

  • Move from one Arkansas jurisdiction to another;
  • Who have previously registered in Arkansas, moved to another state, and are returning to Arkansas; and
  • Those convicted in another state having moved to Arkansas.

The Arkansas State Sex Offender website identifies all Level 3 (High Risk) and Level 4 (Sexually Violent Predator) registered sex offenders pursuant to Arkansas Code Ann. § 12-12-913(j)(1)(A). Public Access to Sex Offender Information Records of registered sex offenders classified as moderate risk or high risk is maintained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) and is available at their website at: http://www.acic.org/sex-offender-search