Safety and Security Policy Statements

Silent Witness Program

Silent Witness is provided as a service to you. We understand there are times when citizens may wish to provide information to the police about criminal activity and remain anonymous. Providing for a safe community requires a partnership and a commitment from both law enforcement and the communities which they serve. We ask you to help us to serve and protect your community by reporting criminal activity. Please read the following considerations before submitting the form.

  • DO NOT use Silent Witness to report crimes in progress. There may be a delay before an investigator is able to follow up on information provided.
  • For crimes in progress or an incident requiring immediate police response, dial 911 or call UT Dallas Police Communications at 972-883-2222.
  • It is a violation of the law to make a false report to a law enforcement agency, (Texas Penal Code 42.06), punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and/or up to one year in jail.

The Silent Witness program may be accessed through the following link:
https://www.utdallas.edu/police/silentwitness.html

UT Dallas Missing Person Policy

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for the University's response to reports of missing students as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

This policy applies to students who reside in on-campus housing. For purposes of this policy, a student may be considered a "missing person" when he or she is absent from the University for more than 24 hours without any known reason. Students may also be deemed missing when their absence is contrary to their usual pattern of behavior and/or unusual circumstances may have caused the absence. Such circumstances could include, but not be limited to, a report or suspicion that the missing person may be the victim of foul play, has expressed suicidal thoughts, is drug dependent, or has been with persons who may endanger the student's welfare.

All residential students will have the opportunity to designate a confidential contact to be notified by the University no more than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. Instructions will be provided on how to register that person's contact information. All reports of missing students shall be directed to the UT Dallas Police Department, which shall investigate each report and make a determination about whether the student is missing. NOTE: If a missing student is under the age of 18 and not emancipated, the University will contact the designated confidential contact, but is also required to contact the legal guardian or parent.

Procedures for designation of emergency contact information

Residential students will be given the opportunity to designate an individual or individuals to be contacted by the University no more than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing. Student notification of this policy and contact designation procedures will be:

  • Included on the UT Dallas residential life/housing web site.
  • Discussed during new student orientations and mandatory housing meetings at the beginning of each semester.
  • Sent to students via University e-mail each semester.

Official notification procedures

  • Any individual on campus who has information that a residential student may be a missing person must notify the UT Dallas Police Department as soon as possible.
  • The UT Dallas Police Department will gather all essential information about the residential student from the reporting person and from the student's acquaintances. Appropriate campus staff will be notified to aid in the search for the student.
  • If the student cannot be located, no later than 24 hours after determining that the residential student is missing, the Dean of Students will notify the confidential contact (for students 18 and over and emancipated minors) and/or the parent or guardian (for students under the age of 18).

Timely Warnings

In the event that a situation arises, on or off campus, that the Chief of Police determines may constitute an ongoing threat, a campus wide "timely warning" will be issued. The warning will be issued through the university campus email system to students, faculty, staff, and the UT Dallas Mercury newspaper, if appropriate. Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime, especially in all situations that could pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, the University may also post a notice on the UT Dallas homepage www.utdallas.edu and the Police Department website www.utdallas.edu/police providing the University community with more immediate notification. In such instances, a copy of the notice will also be posted at the residential apartments and in buildings across campus when appropriate.

At the Archer Center, if a timely warning is required, the Archer Program coordinator shall use the notification phone tree to notify all students. In addition, a written notice of the warning shall be posted at the Archer Center Building as well as the student housing.

Security Awareness & Crime Prevention

Security awareness and crime prevention programs are based upon a dual concept of eliminating or minimizing criminal opportunities whenever possible and encouraging students, faculty and staff to share the responsibility for their own safety and for others. Below is a list of the current crime prevention and security awareness projects and services provided by the UT Dallas Police Department:

  1. Crime Awareness programs, including personal and property safety topics are presented by the Police Department every semester upon request. Many programs are often a team effort between the Police and various Student Affairs departments. Organizations can request programs to be presented. To make a request, email the Police Department at [email protected].
  2. Crime prevention brochures and other printed materials are presented during each registration and orientation session. Crime awareness and crime prevention articles are also available upon request.
  3. An electronic security alarm system located at the UT Dallas Police Department 911 Communications Center monitors a comprehensive network of intrusion detection and duress alarm systems.
  4. Operation Identification: the engraving of serial numbers or owner recognized numbers on items of value and the cataloging of items. Tools are available for checkout at the Police Department and Crime Prevention Office.
  5. Building Security Surveys: Ongoing comprehensive security surveys of exterior building lighting, exterior doors, security access, video surveillance, and grounds are conducted by Facilities Management and Police employees.
  6. Lighting Surveys: Ongoing comprehensive lighting surveys of the entire campus including walkways, parking lots, and sidewalks are conducted using a Greenlee digital light meter. Results are forwarded to Facilities Management for outage and/or deficiency correction.
  7. Maintenance and Repairs: The Police Department, Environmental Health and Safety office, and Facilities Management office monitor safety and security considerations in campus maintenance. Inspections of campus facilities by Facilities Management personnel are made regularly so that repairs affecting safety or security can be made. Concerns regarding potential safety and security hazards may be reported to any of these groups, as well the Police Department at (972)-883-2222.
  8. Emergency Call Boxes: Emergency call boxes on campus are bronze with a blue light above which illuminates at dusk. The call boxes at University Village are blue. They are strategically located on the UT Dallas campus and the apartments for emergency situations. These call boxes are connected directly to the UT Dallas Police Communications Center and have a button to push for service. When the call box is activated, an officer is dispatched to the location immediately.
  9. Lost & Found: The UT Dallas Police Department maintains the University's Lost & Found. If you find an item on campus, please bring it to the Police Department and turn it into an employee of the department. If you have lost an item you can check with Lost & Found by coming to the Police Department or calling 972-883-2222. Lost & Found hours of operation are Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  10. Vehicle Assists: Vehicle assistance is offered to individuals who need a battery jump, or have locked their keys inside their vehicle if the vehicle is not equipped with power locks. To request assistance, call 972-883-2222, give your name, vehicle information, and location. Assistance will be dispatched to your location.
  11. Safe Walk Campus Escorts: Personal safety escorts are available upon request 24 hours a day. To request an escort, call 972-883-2222. Give your name and nearest exit door to your location. An officer, PSO, student patrol, or Explorer will meet you at the building and walk you to any area on campus.
  12. Student Patrol: Student patrol is a paid position with the Police Department and provides extra eyes and ears for the officers. Some of their services include walking escorts and other support roles that do not require a commissioned officer.
  13. Project Exodus: As an expanded part of our night time Student Patrol program, the Student Patrol officers are issued 12-inch flashing LED wands, reflective vests, and police radios. Exodus personnel station themselves at strategic pathway points between class buildings and parking lots, and serve as active security points for students, faculty, and staff walking to parking lots at night. They are highly visible and are trained in police radio communications.
  14. R.A.D. Rape Aggression Defense: UT Dallas Police participate as a sponsor in the R.A.D. program, offering self-defense training to female students, faculty and staff. A R.A.D. class is offered at least once a semester.
  15. B.A.I.T Behavior Assessment and Intervention Team: The Behavior Assessment and Intervention Team reviews behavioral incidents and ensures a systematic response to students whose behavior may be disruptive or harmful to themselves or the UT Dallas community, and assists in protecting health, safety, and welfare of students and other members of the UT Dallas community.

Sexual Assault Policy

It is the policy of the University to strive to maintain an environment that is free from intimidation and inappropriate sexual conduct. In particular, the University will not tolerate any form of sexual assault, including, but not limited to, acquaintance rape, date rape, sodomy, sexual assault with an object, fondling, or any other form of non-consensual sexual activity.

If a UT Dallas student is accused in a sexual offense reported to the UT Dallas Police Department, the case will be referred to the Dean of Students for review of the allegations. The victim and the accused are each entitled to have others present during campus disciplinary hearings. Both the victim and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceedings. Sanctions may include probation, suspension and/or expulsion. For more detailed information please refer to the UT Dallas Student Code of Conduct, Section 49.25.

How to File a Sexual Assault Complaint

UT Dallas encourages any person who is the victim of a forcible or non-forcible sexual offense to immediately report the incident to a campus security authority such as the University Police, Office of the Dean of Students, University residential life personnel, deans, directors, and department heads. Other university personnel who may be contacted are Student Health Services, the Women's Center and the Counseling Center. If the assault occurred outside the UT Dallas campus, the local police department where the assault occurred should be called. UT Dallas personnel will assist in contacting the local police department if the assault occurred off campus, if requested by the victim.

There is no requirement to notify law enforcement authorities of a sexual offense; however, the University encourages all victims to do so. University personnel will assist in notifying the University Police to report a sexual offense. UT Dallas Police should be notified as soon as possible. The victim should not bathe, douche, or change clothes after the assault in order to preserve evidence necessary for the proof of criminal sexual assault. If needed, contact one of the above mentioned resources or a support person for assistance.

UT Dallas Police will handle all cases that occur on campus. If transportation is needed to obtain a medical examination, the University Police Department will arrange for transportation to the hospital. For the protection of the victim, a pseudonym (fictitious name) may be used in the reporting process.

When a student reports that the campus regulation prohibiting sexual assault has been violated, informal procedures that provide for the protection of the emotional health and physical safety of the complainant may be invoked. For example, a student who lives on campus may be moved to another campus living environment if he or she chooses and if accommodations are reasonably available.

Similarly, a complainant may be allowed to make changes in his or her class schedule. Such arrangements will be made through the Office of the Dean of Students. If the complainant provides credible evidence that the accused student has engaged in prohibited sexual assault, the dean may take interim disciplinary action against the accused student as appropriate.

A student who wishes to file a complaint to be addressed by the University disciplinary system should contact the dean at 972-883-6391. A student may choose to file a complaint with the dean whether or not the student chooses to press criminal charges. A student who wishes to file a complaint against a faculty or staff member may contact the dean as well. Procedures for discipline and dismissal of faculty and staff are outlined in the University Handbook of Operating Procedures.