Tour the resources, departments, programs, and technology available to ensure your safety at UTC.
UTC 24/7 Communications Center
Located in the lobby of the Administrative Services Building, the UTC Police Department operations is supported by the Communications Center, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The University strongly encourages students, employees and visitors to accurately and promptly report crimes, suspicious activity and other public safety related emergencies to the UTC PD, which is the University’s primary reporting structure for crimes and emergencies.
The Communications Center is staffed by trained and state certified communications officers who answer calls for service and are authorized to dispatch police, fire, or emergency medical services immediately upon receiving a call for help. Communications Officers also monitor intrusion and fire alarms. UTC PD is also a part of the Hamilton County 911 Emergency System (Hamilton County 911).
Use 423-425-4357 for all emergency and non-emergency calls on campus.
Safety and Risk Management
Safety and Risk Management has many responsibilities at UTC. These duties encompass but are not limited to fire extinguisher inspections and maintenance, emergency alarm response and maintenance, fire investigation, code compliance monitoring, facilities inspection, coordination of hazardous waste disposal, Programs for Minor’s policy consultation, emergency response, and training assistance.
Emergency equipment programs, such as Automated External Defibrillators and Bleeding Control Kits, are strategically placed around campus by Safety and Risk. However, knowing where these tools are is only half the battle in an emergency. Safety and Risk will coordinate training for your office, organization, or class if you would like to better know how to be a SafeMoc on campus. If you have further questions, please contact their office at 423-425-5741.
Emergency Resources
UTC has over thirty-seven (37) automated external defibrillator (AED) units and thirty (30) trauma first-aid kits on campus for public use. They are strategically placed in various buildings around our campus. UTC Police patrol vehicles are also equipped with AEDs and all Officers are trained in the use of first-aid.
The AED units located in buildings are mounted in cabinets in public areas, and designated personnel in each location have been trained in CPR and the use of the AED. Bleeding control kits are typically placed beside AED cabinets. Before using either, make sure 911 is called and CPR has begun prior to use. Once the AED is powered on, verbal cues will give step-by-step instruction from the device. Each bleeding control kit offers a tourniquet, gauze, and instructions to help during an incident before first responders arrive.
Emergency Phones
Phones and call buttons come in many forms on campus as an alternate form of contacting our UTC Police Department in times of urgency. Upon pressing a call button or dialing 9-1-1, you will be in immediate contact with the UTC PD and an Officer will be dispatched to the location of the device being used.
- Blue light phones are strategically located throughout the exterior areas of the campus, parking garages, and parking lots.
- Red phones are placed throughout interior areas of campus buildings of the campus; offices, hallways, labs, and lobbies.
- All elevators across campus have emergency buttons for occupants to use in emergency situations; stuck inside, personal safety concern, etc.
Areas of Refuge
Areas of Refuge are designated areas where individuals can safely wait for emergency personnel to respond if they are unable to access a safe escape route. For fires, stairwells are the safest option to exit a building and one should never use elevators. However, this may be difficult for community members that are unable to use stairs and rely on accessible elevators. In addition, each area of refuge has a phone or device that should be used to alert emergency responders of needed assistance. If you do not know where one is located, go to the nearest stairwell, as marked on the building evacuation signs.
Dean of Students Office
The Office of the Dean of Students is here to help you take full advantage of the resources available to members of our university community. Our office strongly encourages you to actively participate in campus life by seeking out opportunities to be involved both in and out of the classroom. UTC offers many academic and co-curricular programs and activities designed to enhance your learning experience.
We are also here to provide support for a variety of student concerns, including illness, death in the family, financial difficulties, academic trouble, and other personal emergencies. The mission of the Case Assessment, Review, and Evaluation (CARE) Team is provide proactive and supportive prevention, assessment, intervention, and management for situations that could compromise the safety and well-being of the UTC community. A new 24/7 line is available, 423-425-2273. Students may seek assistance, advocacy, and satisfactory resolutions to problems through our office.
Additional areas of support on campus include (but not limited to):
- Center for Women and Gender Equity
- Disability Resource Center
- Multicultural Affairs
- Scrappy’s Cupboard
- Student Conduct
- Student Emergency Fund
- Student Outreach & Support
- Veteran Student Services
Center for Student Wellbeing
The mission of the Center for Student Wellbeing is to support the personal and academic growth of our students by cultivating a well and safe campus community. The center encourages life-long wellbeing by promoting healthy coping skills, a culture of care, risk reduction and wellness.
Our center is a resource for discovering a healthier, well-balanced lifestyle. We provide you with the tools, knowledge, and community to help you take care of yourself by developing coping skills, recognizing warning signs, practicing self-care, and helping others.
Counseling Center
The staff of the UTC Counseling Center embrace the unique identities of each student. Our Counselors are committed to providing culturally competent counseling that is inclusive of our diverse student body in a safe, affirming space. We give consideration to the unique experiences and concerns of LGBT+ students, racial and ethnic minorities, international students, veterans, differently abled students, and students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and religious/spiritual beliefs.
The Office of the Title IX Coordinator
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment free from sexual misconduct, relationship violence, stalking, and retaliation.
UTC strives to prevent, address, and eliminate this type of misconduct by responding to individual incidents, supporting those who have been harmed, and educating community members on how to create a safe and supportive campus that encourages healthy and respectful relationships.
UTC’s Title IX Coordinator is available to assist students, faculty and staff who have been impacted by sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking by taking reports, assisting with supportive measures, and explaining investigative and other options
Vehicle Assist Program
Locked out, battery dead, or stuck in the road? Vehicle Assist is offered by the UTC Police Department to anyone on campus, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A waiver is required once one of our Patrol Officers arrive, and if the vehicle has power locks the Officer will not be able to unlock it for you. However, we will be able to provide you with a number to call a locksmith if you need one. To request this service, call our Communications Center (423-425-4357).
ARC Safety
UTC Campus Recreation is dedicated to the safety of our guests and we have made risk management an integral part of our daily practices. We frequently collaborate with UTC's Safety and Risk Management Office, our local EMS System, and outside professionals/organizations to ensure best practices. During your visits to our facilities you will notice a preventative mindset that has been adopted by each of our employees. Our staff are provided area-specific training, in-service trainings, certifications, and one-on-one coaching. Throughout the year, our employees undergo several comprehensive safety refreshers to keep our emergency response skills sharp. Each of our facilities are equipped with AEDs, comprehensive first aid kits, biohazard clean up kits, and sharps disposal. We work diligently to actively keep our facilities and programs safe and to provide an environment where all guests are welcome and belong.
Event Safety
Large events are held on campus daily at UTC and safety is our number one priority. When attending events, please follow all the posted rules and regulations. If you have any questions about event safety, wanting to request event security, or see something suspicious, call the Communications Center (423-425-4357).
Housing and Residence Life Safety
Living in a city like Chattanooga can be different plus stressful, but it is important to stay safe in any place you live. When inside our residence halls, be sure to follow all the Housing and Residence Life rules and regulations. Housing also recommends that you familiarize yourself with the emergency exits, fire extinguishers located in your apartment or suite, and emergency phones/call-buttons. Be sure to report anything suspicious to the Resident Assistants or the Resident Directors, and if it is more severe or immediate, contact the UTC Police Department (423-425-4357).
University Health Services
University Health Services (UHS) provides optimum health care to every student, faculty and staff at UTC. Our staff of nurse practitioners provide services including visits for acute and chronic illnesses, physical exams, screenings, immunizations, lab services, TB skin testing and allergy shots. Whether your condition varies from a simple ankle sprain to a more complex orthopedic condition, you may benefit from physical therapy sponsored by our own Department of Physical Therapy.
Students are not charged for office visits. Minimal fees for services such as laboratory tests and immunizations may apply. Please call UHS at 423-425-2266 if you would like to schedule an appointment.
SafeMocs Events & Training
SafeMocs Events and Training are held by Emergency Services, Campus Police + Safety and Risk Management, and are designed to allow everyone to learn about safety so that, "Mocs can protect Mocs." Anything from active shooter preparedness, bleeding control kit use, child protection training, fire safety, hands-only CPR, or RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) training can be requested for any campus community member.
IT Help Desk
Our IT Department is integral in all technology-based safety precautions on campus. The UTC Information Security team performs security activities to protect the university’s data, computers, networks, and users. The department also helps with phishing attempts, assisting in large technology-based projects, IT support, and creating procedures, trainings, and guides to assure protection while online.
Survivor Advocacy Services
Housed in the Center for Women and Gender Equity, Survivor Advocacy Services provide education to the campus community and advocacy on behalf of all students, staff and faculty survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking. SAS strives to reduce the impact of gender-based violence at UTC and in the community through advocacy to support survivors of relationship violence, sexual assault, stalking and sexual harassment.
Survivor Advocacy Services takes a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to create a support network for survivors. We also focus on a sensitive and proficient approach toward supporting survivors to minimize the trauma experienced.
Business Hours: 423-425-5648
After Hours (UTC CARE): 423-425-2273
Safe Ride Program
The UTC Police Department has an available escort service on campus during the academic year. Students, staff, and faculty may use this service to address any personal safety concerns by calling our Communication Center (423-425-4357). The escort may or may not be in a vehicle, as Campus Security Officers or Patrol Officers may often walk with the caller to a more comfortable location.
Mocs Express Shuttle
In partnership with CARTA, Chattanooga’s public transit provider, the Mocs Express gets you around campus for free on behalf of Parking Services. All Mocs Express Shuttle buses are ADA accessible and runs clockwise around campus. View the Parking category to check the shuttle route and stop locations.