Keeping campus safe: how Maryville College students can report security concerns

With the recent implementation of security cameras, ensuring campus safety remains a top priority. Reporting concerns early is key to preventing potential hazards. But how exactly can students get involved in keeping their campus safe, and what measures are in place to ensure quick and effective responses?

According to the Maryville College Department of Safety and Security, students have multiple options to report safety and security concerns, with the primary method being through the Campus Security Office, which is available 24/7. Students can contact security directly by phone, email, or in person at their office, located in Bartlett Hall. For emergencies, dialing 865-981-8112 connects students to the security team for immediate assistance.

If students have a safety complaint that does not warrant a visit from campus security, the college dormitories, such as Gibson, Beeson, and Carnegie have provided their residents with the means to contact their residential assistants and a staff member on duty (SMOD). Primarily, this should be used for non-emergency situations such as maintenance or being locked out of the building or suite. 

Additionally, the college offers a safety reporting form on its website, which allows students to report non-emergency concerns anonymously. This form can be used to flag issues such as poor lighting, malfunctioning security cameras, or any other safety concern. Residence halls and certain academic buildings are secured by a card access system, allowing only students, faculty, and staff with proper identification to enter. 

“The department is actually thinking about putting in a Blue light system,” said Julie Beaton, Maryville College’s Human Resource Payroll and Benefits Specialist. “Dennis Pumphrey [the head of the Department of Safety and Security] has talked about installing [them], sort of like how the University of Tennessee has some on their campus.” Blue light systems are systems of emergency phones placed around college campuses that can connect students directly to emergency services.

Beaton stated that the Department of Safety and Security was also working heavily with the college’s IT department, not only with helping install the security cameras across the campus but with setting up digital security measures to help filter out potential cyber-attacks and email scams that could pose a threat to campus safety. 

Campus security also works closely with the Maryville Police Department and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office to ensure quick response times for off-campus incidents and larger threats. Regular safety audits are conducted in collaboration with these departments, ensuring that any gaps in campus security are addressed. Emergency notification emails and texts are sent out to students in the event of security threats, phishing scams, severe weather, or other campus-wide emergencies.

Whether it is reporting a flickering light in a parking lot or alerting campus security about suspicious behavior, every effort contributes to a safer campus. By staying informed and taking advantage of the available resources, Maryville College students can actively participate in keeping their campus secure for everyone.