SH.08 - Safety and Security

SH.08.A – Overview

Safety on campus is a natural source of concern for students, faculty, and staff. Education is the business of Tulsa Community College. It can only take place in an environment in which each student and employee feels safe and secure. TCC recognizes this and employs security measures to protect the members of its community.

Although Tulsa and the surrounding community are perceived to have a relatively low crime rate, crime prevention remains a high priority. TCC does its part to ensure the safety of its students and employees. A professionally trained and supervised police force, and the students and employees themselves all share in the responsibility of making each TCC campus a safe place to study, work, and achieve.

SH.08.B –TCC Police Department

TCC provides full-service police protection to the campus community through its TCC Police. The jurisdiction of the College includes but is not limited to four campuses of over 200 acres, 30 major buildings and parking lots, and a Conference Center. TCC Police also provides police service at the Education Outreach Center, Tulsa Riverside Airport, and Owasso Community Campus

TCC's TCC Police officers are vested with full law enforcement powers and responsibilities identical to Tulsa's local police department. Officers are trained at the Council of Law Enforcement, Education, and Training, and have additional training in firearms, first aid, and legal procedures. Pursuant to 74 OK Stat § 74-360.17 (2012), TCC Police officers derive all power by law as Peace Officers of the State of Oklahoma to arrest, bear arms, conduct investigations, and perform enforcement duties The TCC Police Department has an excellent relationship with city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in its jurisdiction. The department is a member of both the Oklahoma and International Associations of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, (IACLEA) and the International Association Chiefs of Police (IACP).

TCC Police officers are responsible for crime reports, investigations, emergencies, traffic accidents, and enforcement of laws regulating underage drinking, the use of controlled substances, weapons, and other incidents, which require police assistance.

TCC Police has memoranda of understanding (MOU) with other municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies to assist with major crimes or incidents on campus. Students and staff are encouraged to report all crime to the TCC Police and the appropriate police agencies in an accurate and timely manner. The Tulsa Community College Emergency Operations and Response Plan identifies the College’s emergency planning, organization, and response policies and procedures. The plan also addresses the integration and coordination with other governmental levels when required. Planning is based on the Incident Command System (ICS), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), National Response Plan and various U.S. Department of Homeland Security Presidential Decision Directives (HSPD-5 and 8).

SH.08.C – Campus Security Programs and Procedures

Procedure to Test Emergency Response and Evacuation

Physical Facilities staff evaluates College emergency systems each semester and lockdown drills annually per campus. The evaluation includes the activation of fire and tornado systems at each campus to determine if audible alarm signals, strobes, PA, and voice messaging components are functional and to repair or replace same if not. The evaluation includes the Campus engineer, the Facility Manager, members of the alarm company, the fire department, and other vendors as needed. The Campus Public Safety committee schedules fire and tornado drills each semester at all TCC locations.

Mass Notification System

Students and staff can access the College website to register on the multiple-mass-communication emergency alert and notification systems. Visit the Campus Safety link under the Campus Life tab for more information on the official TCC mass communication systems plus related emergency procedures on response to an active shooter on campus, fire, and weather emergencies. Additional video resources on threat assessment, risk analysis, and behavioral strategies are included under the Critical Incident tab and have been used to train students, faculty, and staff.

Reporting Emergencies and Non-Emergencies

TCC Police encourages all persons to report any life or death type emergency via 9-1-1 on campus phones. The TCC Police department has developed 918-595-8888 as the central dispatch line for all campuses. This number may be called at any time. General emergencies involving other criminal activity, suspicious behavior, traffic accidents or safety concerns should be reported directly to 918-595-8888.

Crime Prevention

TCC Police has experienced significant success in reducing crime in the TCC campus community. Through a cooperative effort between TCC Police, the campus leadership teams, Deans of Student Success and Campus Operations, facility managers and engineers, faculty, student government, and a host of other persons, organizations, and departments; programs on personal safety and security, rape prevention and response, date rape, substance abuse, self-defense and resistance to hate crimes, burglary, larceny, and vandalism are conducted on each campus. TCC does not have any off-campus student organizations or residence halls. However, a new security system has been added, including motion and alarm sensors and video cameras in strategic areas. Access control points are being developed and perimeter doors are being monitored. Campus doors are secure, and most are monitored during non-business hours. This is an ongoing project at each campus meant to control access and provide students and staff greater safety and security. Listed below are some of the steps taken to keep students and staff safe:

  • New Student and Staff Orientation
  • 24-hour campus patrol, including parking lots
  • Off-campus site patrol
  • Video and burglar alarms in strategic areas
  • Escort service to and from parked vehicles
  • After hours building occupation
  • Crime prevention seminars for students and staff
  • After hours building check in and out
  • Posted daily reports outside department offices
  • Special alerts and timely notices
  • Periodic inspection of grounds, lighting, and other environmental concerns
  • Crime log available for public viewing during regular business hours

Personal Safety

To assist in providing a safe and healthful work environment for employees, students, and visitors, TCC has established a workplace safety program. TCC Risk Management has responsibility for implementing, administering, monitoring, and evaluating the safety program. Its success depends on the alertness and personal commitment of all.

Reports and concerns about workplace safety issues may be made anonymously if the employee/student wishes. All reports can be made without fear of reprisal. Contact the Risk Management Office to report any immediate concerns or issues. You may also report the issue by filling out the Student Concern/Complaint Form.

Student/Staff Responsibility in Personal and Campus Safety

While numerous efforts are made by the TCC Police to advise and assist students, faculty, and staff of personal and campus safety measures, safety is ultimately each person's responsibility. The following simple and common-sense precautions should be followed:

  • Lock vehicles and keep keys secure
  • Walk to vehicles with classmates or friends or ask a TCC Police officer for an escort
  • Lock valuables in the trunk or glove box of vehicles
  • Report suspicious-looking individuals or unusual incidents immediately to TCC Police
  • The cooperation and involvement of everyone in the TCC community enhances each person's safety and security

General Security Procedures

TCC campuses are well lit. Lighting and landscape tours are conducted bimonthly by representatives of the Campus Safety Committee including Deans of Student Success and Campus Operations, Dean of PACE, Facility Manager, Building Engineer, a police supervisor, and various other academic and administrative leaders on campus. Safety and security concerns are identified and recommendations for improvements made.

TCC students, faculty, and staff each have access to academic, recreational and administrative facilities on campus. The public may attend cultural and recreational events on campus, with access limited to facilities in which these events are scheduled.

Pursuant to state law, the College trespass policy, enforced by TCC Police, is as follows: that persons entering College property who commit a crime or disrupt the educational process may be issued a six-month notice to leave the premises. When issued, the recipient is entitled to a hearing and appeal process as addressed by 21 OK Stat §21-1376. TCC Police officers may serve written trespass notices on nonmembers of the College community present on campus and may make an immediate arrest of persons in secure areas for which they have no legitimate business. If a person served with a prior trespass notice reappears on campus, or if a person has no legitimate purpose in a building, that person is subject to immediate arrest.

Firearms and dangerous weapons of any type are not permitted on campus, except when carried by bona fide law enforcement officers within their jurisdiction or as otherwise provided under 21 OK Stat §21-1277 and federal law.

SH.08.D – Reporting Crimes on Campus

Any student or staff member who sees or experiences a crime or other emergency in the TCC community should report immediately to TCC Police or appropriate police agencies in an accurate and timely manner. Although TCC encourages the reporting of campus criminal activities directly to TCC Police, in some instances members of the campus community may choose to file a report with another law enforcement agency by dialing 911 or by reporting to one of the Campus Security Authorities. Tulsa Community College officials, who learn about sexual assaults, as well as other crimes, must tell the victims that they can take their complaints to the police. TCC officials will help the victims if asked to do so and will assist the student in notifying these authorities, if the student requests their assistance.

In the event a crime is reported on campus, TCC Police responds immediately. All reported crimes are investigated. Follow-up investigations are conducted, and other law enforcement agencies are involved as necessary. Offenders are dealt with swiftly and firmly through the county court system and TCC when appropriate.

SH.08.E – Jeanne Clery Disclosure Campus/Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act

Tulsa Community College Department of Campus Public Safety/TCC Police annually discloses information about crime on and around each of its campuses and describes programs and policies designed to make our community safer. This report is required of all colleges and universities and is often referred to as the Clery Act (Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act).

Policy for Reporting the Monthly and Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics

The Annual Security Report (ASR), written by the Chief of TCC Police, is prepared to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. TCC Police submits a report to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI’s Incident Based Reporting program (SIBRS) on a monthly basis. Clery Act mandated crime statistics for the most recent three-year period at Metro, Northeast, Southeast and West campuses as well as the Riverside Campus and Aviation Center and the Owasso Community Campus are listed below. These statistics reflect incidents reported to Campus Security Authorities, non-campus properties, on campus and public areas. Local law enforcement agencies with concurrent jurisdiction are only able to provide crime statistics for a much larger geographical area that may include a campus and as such are not displayed in this report but may be found at the Tulsa Police website.

Notice of Availability of Annual Campus Crime (Your Right to Know) Report

Each year all employees and enrolled students receive an email notification with a link to the college’s Annual Security Report. The most recent Annual Security Report is available on the College’s website.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) amendments to the Clery Act expanded the rights afforded to campus survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The following are the Clery Act definitions for sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault is defined by any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent. Fondling is the touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including stances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of their age or because of their temporary or permanent mental incapacity. Incest is the sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law. Statutory Rape is sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence is defined as a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred.
Dating Violence
Dating Violence is defined as violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the reporting party’s statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. For the purposes of this definition dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. Dating violence does not include acts covered under the definition of domestic violence.
Stalking
Stalking is defined as engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.

SH.08.F – Campus Security Authorities

The following have been designated by TCC as Campus Security Authorities (CSA): Chief Human Resources Officer, Associate Vice President for Student Success and Campus Operations, Title IX Coordinator, Chief of TCC Police, Deans of Student Success and Campus Operations, Dean of Visual and Performing Arts, Student Life Coordinator, Assistant Director of Human Resources, Student Conduct Manager, Director of Wellness Services, Manager of Student Life, , all TCC Police Officers (full and part-time), and all Student Organization Advisors. CSAs are responsible for reporting crimes to the TCCPD, including crimes where the victim chooses to remain anonymous. Reports filed with CSAs are counted and disclosed in the Annual Security Report. CSAs are asked to complete a Campus Security Authority Incident Report. Any crime report made to a Campus Security Authority can be immediately transmitted to the TCC Police. Victim support services are available, and TCC Police works with the local police to ensure timely notice is provided to students regarding crimes reported to either police or Campus Security Authorities and considered to represent a threat to others.

In certain instances, a crime victim may be reluctant to file a report fearing the process and/or loss of his/her anonymity. In such circumstances, crime victims are encouraged to consider making a confidential report to one of the designated Campus Security Authorities. At a minimum, crime victims will receive valuable referral information. Confidential reports are important because they provide valuable information that will enhance the safety of the community-at-large and they will, at least, provide a more accurate portrait of actual campus crime. Help is always available.

SH.08.G – Missing Student Notification

While Tulsa Community College does not maintain on-campus housing facilities, or have students residing in on-campus housing, the College is interested and wishes to ensure the safety of its students.

After contacting local law enforcement authorities, individuals should report that a student has been missing 24 hours to TCC Police who will work with the appropriate Dean of Student Success and Campus Operations and faculty. TCC Police will follow up with local law enforcement authorities immediately after a missing student report has been received. TCC Police will determine if the student’s emergency contact has been contacted and will report its findings to the Dean of Student Success and Campus Operations. Each student will have the option to register a confidential contact person to be notified in the case that the student is determined to be missing that only authorized campus officials and law enforcement officers in furtherance of a missing person investigation may have access to this information. Missing student reports will be referred immediately to local law enforcement even if the student did not register a contact person. Parents of students fewer than 18 years of age and not emancipated will be advised. This requirement does not preclude implementing these procedures in less than 24 hours if circumstances warrant a faster implementation. The Dean of Student Success and Campus Operations will contact the Associate Vice President for Student Success and Campus Operations with information pertinent to the matter.

SH.08.H – Police Crime Log Information

Crime Log information is made available to anyone asking to see it at any TCC Police office. A hard copy of the Crime Log is located at each TCC Police office and is available upon request. The Crime Log is also available online. The only exceptions in the posting of crimes reported and/or investigated are:

  • If the disclosure is prohibited by law
  • If the disclosure would jeopardize the confidentiality of the victim

Posting of crimes reported and/or investigated may be temporarily withheld in some cases if the release of information would:

  • Jeopardize an ongoing investigation
  • Jeopardize the safety of an individual
  • Cause a suspect to flee or evade detection
  • Result in the destruction of evidence

The information temporarily withheld from the log for any of the aforementioned justifications will be posted once the possibility of adverse or harmful effects are no longer likely to occur.

The College community is also kept abreast of select incidents on campus and in the nearby community through the semi-monthly student newspaper, The Connection. Reporters from The Connection contact TCC Police for the crime log and schedule meetings to discuss cases of interest and Clery educational opportunities co-hosted by TCC Police throughout the year.

SH.08.I – Timely Warnings

To help prevent crimes or serious incidents, the Tulsa Community College Police Department, in conjunction with other departments on campus, issue timely warnings to notify Tulsa Community College members about crimes or other serious incidents in and around the community. If a situation arises within the TCC Clery Geography (On Campus, Public Property and Non-campus property), that's in the judgment of (one of the following) Vice President for Administration, Legal Counsel, Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, Director of Emergency Management, or any of their designees, constitutes an ongoing/continuing or serious threat, a campus-wide Timely Warning will be issued.

The warnings will be issued through the TCC Alerts Emergency Notification system. This system will send out College-wide group emails and text messages from TCC Alerts to all students, faculty, and staff. In addition, various campus buildings have PA systems that can alert those in the building of an emergency situation and provide response details.

Timely Warnings are typically issued for the following Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR)/National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) crime classifications:

  • Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter
  • Aggravated Assault (cases involving assaults among known parties, such as two roommates fighting which results in an aggravated injury, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if the individual is believed to be an ongoing threat to the larger TCC community)
  • Robbery involving force or violence (cases including pick pocketing and purse snatching will typically not result in the issuance of a Timely Warning Notice, but will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
  • Sexual Assault (considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the facts of the case, when and where the incident occurred, when it was reported, and the amount of information known at the time. In cases involving sexual assault, they are often reported long after the incident occurred, thus there is no ability to distribute a “timely” warning notice to the community. All cases of sexual assault, including stranger and non-stranger/acquaintance cases, will be assessed for potential issuance of a Timely Warning Notice.
  • Major incidents of Arson
  • Other Clery crimes as determined by the Vice President of Administration, Legal Counsel, Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, Emergency Manager, or his or her designee.

Timely Warning Notices may also be posted for other crime classifications and locations, even though that is not required by the law, at the discretion of the Vice President for Administration and COO, Legal Counsel, Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, Emergency Manager, or his or her designee.

Timely Warning Notices will be distributed as soon as pertinent information is available, in a manner that withholds the names of victims as confidential, and with the goal of aiding in the prevention of similar occurrences.

Timely Warning Notices are typically written and distributed by TCC's marketing and Communication Department, or their designee.

The institution is not required to issue a Timely Warning with respect to crimes reported to a pastoral or professional counselor.

The purpose of timely warnings is to provide the TCC community with information to enable people to protect themselves. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to TCC Police at 918-595-8888.

SH.08.J – Campus Sex and Violent Offender Crimes Prevention Act

Information on any sex offender who attends Tulsa Community College may be found at the Metro Campus Police Office located at 909 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa OK 74119. Additionally, information on any sex or violent offender who are also residents of the Tulsa metropolitan area may be found at the Tulsa Police Department website. See an online listing of currently registered sex or violent offenders in the Tulsa area. Please note that other local municipal police departments may also be able to assist with current listings.

Oklahoma state law [57 OK Stat § 57-583-587 (2007)], requires that anyone required to register as a sex or violent offender do so with both their local law enforcement (municipal and county) agency at their residence and also with the police or security department of any institution of higher learning at which they are enrolled as a student (full-time or part-time), or are an employee (full-time or part-time), of the institution of higher learning.

Sex and Violent Offender Registration

The TCC Police Office located at 909 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119, is the location to register for any affiliates who have not done so but who are required to register by the “Oklahoma Sex or Violent Offenders Registration Act.” Any affiliates who have not done so, but who are required to register by the “Oklahoma Sex and Violent Offenders Registration Act,” may download the appropriate TCCPD registration form in Adobe PDF format or contact the TCC Police at 918-595-8888.

Sex Offender Registration Report and Violent Offender Registration Report

Completed forms must be delivered in person (registrants must bring a valid photo ID) to the TCC Police office located at the campus you will attend.

Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry

Part of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (1990), 20 USC S 1092(f), also provides that TCC Police advise the College community where it may obtain sex offender registration information.

Registration Notes

Any person subject to the provisions of the Sex and Violent Offenders Registration Act must comply with the law fully.

Federal laws governing the privacy of educational records including the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) do not prevent campus security agencies or other administrators from disclosing information concerning registered sex offenders enrolled at, employed by TCC or by outside contractors with operations on the TCC campuses. FERPA has been so amended to make that clarification.

SH.08.K – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

Tulsa Community College prohibits sexual assault on its campuses and in connection with College-sponsored activities. To that end, the Tulsa Community College Board of Regents hereby authorizes and directs the College administration to implement an educational sexual assault program and disciplinary procedures aimed at the prevention of sex offenses on campus and in connection with College-sponsored activities.

The program shall include education programs to promote sexual assault awareness and shall address the possible sanctions to be imposed following the final determination of an on-campus disciplinary procedure regarding such offenses. The administration is further authorized and directed to develop and distribute procedures to be followed once a sex offense has been reported, such procedures to include all substantive, informational, and notification requirements established by law.

In the event a student or employee is sexually assaulted, it is recommended that victims do the following:

  • Go to a safe place;
  • Get immediate medical attention;
    • Avoid bathing, douching, changing clothes, or any other activity that might destroy evidence of the assault;
    • Save all torn or stained garments and other materials that might be used as evidence;
  • Call a family member or friend to provide support;
  • Contact DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Service) 24/7 at 918.7HELP.ME (918-743-5763) for confidential counseling
  • Have a free of charge SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) perform a forensic exam to collect evidence; (Having this exam does not require a victim of 18 and over to report the assault to law enforcement);
  • Report the assault to local police or TCC Police. Reporting the assault does not require prosecution. Reporting involves telling what happened, where it happened, and providing a description of the attacker.

TCC Police and the Title IX Coordinator are available to assist with these reporting procedures and will comply with a student’s request for assistance in notifying authorities. When a sexual assault is reported, Tulsa police may assist with contacting DVIS on behalf of the victim. DVIS works with Hillcrest Hospital (S.A.N.E.) and assists with victim/family counseling, mental health services, victim compensation, and legal referrals. A student may request a change in academic scheduling or other accommodation after a sexual assault incident is reported.

Support and Assistance Resources

TCC Police Campus Emergency: x8888 Office: 918-595-7263
Tulsa Police Emergency and non-emergency: 911
DVIS/Call Rape 918-743-5763
Title IX Coordinator 918-595-7842

Oklahoma Crime Victim Rights

As a victim of violent crime, individuals have certain rights under Oklahoma’s Crime Victim Rights Act. For more information on your rights and other useful resources visit Just for Victims on the District Attorneys Council website.

SpeakUp

Tulsa Community College is committed to establishing a safe and healthy environment for its students, employees, and visitors. Everyone deserves the right to work and learn in an atmosphere free of violence or harassment, but such an atmosphere happens only if everyone works together to create a positive and healthy environment. SpeakUp is a campaign to increase knowledge in the TCC community and share information and resources to prevent violence, promote safety, and reduce incidents. The SpeakUp Campaign encourages students and employees to SpeakUp against violence, harassment, and discrimination.

SH.08.L – Sex and Gender Harassment/Sexual Misconduct (Title IX)

Tulsa Community College (TCC) takes acts of dating violence, domestic violence, harassment, threats and bullying on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and stalking extremely seriously and strongly encourages individuals to report these acts. The Sex and Gender Harassment, Discrimination and Misconduct policy, consistent with U.S. Department of Education Title IX guidance, provides details on the College’s response to such acts, resources, and remedies to individuals. The College hopes that you will help us in our efforts to maintain a safe and productive environment for all members of our community to live, learn, and be successful by uniting as a community committed to ending sexual violence and sexual harassment.

This policy also explains the process for filing a formal complaint with the Title IX Coordinator as well as with TCC Police. Employees and students should be aware that even if an individual chooses not to file a formal complaint, the College will provide resources, academic accommodations and take interim measures to ensure the individual feels safe.

The Sex and Gender Harassment, Discrimination and Misconduct Policy can be found on the Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX webpage.