Good afternoon,
I would like to start by thanking each of you for being part of our community here at East Tennessee State University. The past two weeks have been incredibly inspiring for me as campus has come alive with energy and activities. We tend to think of ETSU as a school, but, in reality, public universities like ours are more like small cities in which all the residents are working together to explore ideas and build a brighter future. In addition to the more than 14,000 students enrolled, we welcome people from throughout the region to use our facilities, attend events, or even just take a walk through our beautiful grounds. Our campus and the community we serve are interwoven, both metaphorically and physically. For me, this is one of the best things about working in public higher education.
However, it is not without its challenges. We must be prepared to respond to emergency situations. We must learn to live civilly and respectfully with our neighbors. And we must all work together to ensure our campus is a safe place to live and learn. Since September is National Preparedness Month, this is an excellent time to remind everyone of our safety protocols.
Our public safety team is made up of truly extraordinary and caring individuals who are here to help if you need them. They will help you change a tire or jumpstart your car if you are having trouble. They also offer a Safe Voyage program in case you ever feel unsafe on campus or downtown. You can call (423) 914-5940 to arrange a Safe Voyage shuttle ride or to have an officer meet you and walk with you to your destination. I encourage everyone to add the main public safety phone number, (423) 439-4480, to your contact list. If you see something concerning, give them a call.
If you have not done so already, all students, faculty, and staff should sign up for our emergency alert system by 1) downloading the ETSU Safe app and 2) signing up for text alerts. Visit etsu.edu/safety for details.
When potential threats to campus emerge, you may receive one of two types of messages. The first is called a "timely warning." Timely warnings alert you to potentially dangerous situations and remind you to be diligent and aware. A timely warning may be sent, for example, if a criminal is at large and suspected to be near campus. If you receive a timely warning notice, you can continue with your everyday life but be extra alert. In other words, they are intended to provide notifications, not instructions.
The second type of message is an emergency alert, which will include instructions on how to stay safe. This may include avoiding a particular area and/or sheltering in place. If such a message is sent, messages will be posted on campus screens and ETSU's X account, and we may activate sirens. You will also receive alerts on your phone if you have signed up following the instructions I provided above. When emergency notifications are sent, that means there is an imminent threat, and everyone should follow the instructions provided. If you are directed to shelter in place or avoid an area, do so until you receive an "all clear" message indicating there is no longer a threat.
If there is no threat to campus, we will not issue an alert. In some instances, potential threats are handled so quickly that they are eliminated before a message can be sent. In those cases, we may reach out on social media to correct misinformation about the situation or provide statements to news media if asked. We generally will only send a message to campus if the threat is ongoing. More information on our considerations for issuing university statements is available online. Again, if an emergency message is not sent to campus, that means there is no active threat.
Stay safe. Look out for one another — and go Bucs!
