Updated 2018

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965, is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies. All public and private post-secondary educational institutions participating in federal student aid programs are subject to the Act.

The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to publish an annual report every year by October 1st that contains three years worth of crime statistics and certain security policy statements, including sexual assault policies which assure basic victims’ rights, and provide locates where the students should go to report crimes.

The President of American Baptist College (ABC) has overall responsibility for compliance with Title II of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act. For the purpose of meeting the requirements set forth in the Campus Security Act, all persons who are employed by ABC should be informed and aware of the school’s policies and procedures to ensure campus security and safety.

We take very seriously the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and welcomed guests. The policy listed here is abbreviated however the full Campus Security and Safety Policy with appropriate procedures can be found by reviewing the Campus Safety and Security Policy.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965, is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies. All public and private post-secondary educational institutions participating in federal student aid programs are subject to the Act.

The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to publish an annual report every year by October 1st that contains three years’ worth of crime statistics and certain security policy statements, including sexual assault policies which assure basic victims’ rights, and provide locates where the students should go to report crimes.

No absolute guarantee of individual safety or security of property is possible, but with the cooperation of students, faculty, staff, and visitors, it is possible to provide a level of security that is reasonable, effective, and relatively unobtrusive. All members of the American Baptist College campus community are expected to familiarize themselves with the Campus security policies and procedures, adhere to these policies and procedures, and immediately report violations.

If you witness any non-emergency criminal incidents or safety concerns and/or are the victim of criminal behavior on property owned or controlled by ABC, promptly report it to the Metro Police Department at (615-862-8600). In the case of an emergency, calls should be made to 911.  (See Student Handbook.)

No firearms or weapons are permitted on the campus of American Baptist College. After reporting the incident to the Metro Nashville Police Department, report the incident immediately to the Executive Vice President or any other school official.

Campus security shall be supervised by the Office of the Executive Vice President. This office shall oversee the gathering and reporting of all statistics as required by state and federal law regarding campus security.

The Office of the Executive Vice President shall prepare, publish, and disseminate all required policy statements, operating safety and security procedures and other reports as required by law.

The Executive Vice President shall oversee the supervision of campus security and assign primary responsibility to respond to and to take appropriate action on reports of criminal actions and other emergencies.

The Executive Vice President shall arrange for student participation in all programs as mandated by campus security laws.

Through the Office of the Executive Vice President shall distribute an annual report in printed form each fall on campus crime and security matters. The report shall be available to current students and prospective students and their families.

Among the reportable crime(s) listed in TBI crime report, there were no occurrences of crime on the campus of American Baptist College for the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Crimes that are reportable and must be recorded in campus crime statistics are:

• Murder
• Grand Theft Auto
• Rape
• Statutory Rape
• Theft
• Forcible Sodomy
• Vandalism
• Sexual Assault with or without an object
• Weapon Violation
• Alcohol Intoxication (DUI)
• Robbery
• Illegal Drugs
• Aggravated Assault
• Burglary
• Hate Motivated Crimes or incidents*

*Criminal offenses that display evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity. All of the crimes listed above that are committed on the campus of ABC must be reported annually to the U.S. Department of Education, and must be readily available to the public upon request.

It is the policy of ABC to notify members of the Campus community of any reported crime(s) that are determined to pose an imminent threat to the safety of students or employees. Anyone with information warranting a potential timely warning should report the circumstances to the Office of the President, the Office of the Executive Vice President, or any other college official. If in the case of witnessing a crime being committed on campus, the incident should be immediately reported to the Metro Police Department or by dialing 911. The Executive Vice President is responsible for determining the need for and implementing timely campus-wide notification. If the Executive Vice President deems it necessary to notify the Campus community of an imminent threat, an emergency alert will be issued via text message, CAMS messaging and email.

If any persons hears any expression of hostility or threats made based on class, race, gender or sexual orientation that could compromise the safety and security of an individual; or such threats made against the institution of American Baptist College because of its stated mission and commitment, it is to be immediately reported to the Office of the President, the Executive Vice President, or any college official.

ABC Policy on Criminal Activity and Emergency Notifications (updated 100918)

American Baptist College is a private institution, and as such reserves the right to limit the use of its grounds and facilities as it deems appropriate. Access to any ABC facility by any person is strictly limited to those having legitimate business in that area or facility. Most campus buildings and facilities are accessible to students, faculty, employees, contractors, guests, and invitees during normal hours of business, Monday-Friday, and for limited designated hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Access times will vary depending upon the nature of the building and its activity. Access to all leased spaces on the ABC campus is limited to the official occupant of that space and that occupant’s officers, employees, students, guests and/or invitees. Access to ABC buildings is limited to residents and their guests. Keys allowing entry to ABC buildings and offices are issued by the Executive Vice President or the Director of Facilities and Residence Life.  Unauthorized copying of keys or lending them (or ID cards that permit access to campus facilities) to unauthorized persons is expressly forbidden. Violation of this policy may result in the loss of access privileges.

Members of the ABC community are charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the spaces under their control. Maintaining custody of the keys (or ID cards that permit access to campus facilities) to which they have been entrusted, and reporting promptly the loss of any such keys (or ID cards that permit access to campus facilities) is required of all ABC campus community members.

American Baptist College (ABC) informs students and employees about campus security and safety procedures and practices through dissemination of an annual  campus security report.

ABC urges persons affiliated with the school to make use of the extensive safety resources at the City of Nashville Metro Police and Fire Departments. ABC encourages students and employees to be responsible for their own safety and the security of others. You can do this by informing yourself about safety procedures and crime avoidance tips available from the Metro Police and Fire Departments and the Office of the Executive Vice President.

Members of the ABC community, or any other person authorized to be present on the ABC campus, should report any suspected criminal activity or threats of violence made by individuals or any other emergency situation that poses a threat to life or property.

If immediate danger of life or property exists, dial 911 or the Metro Police Department
If immediate danger is not present, call the Office of the Executive Vice President or the Director of Facilities and Residence Life.

In all cases, report the incident to the Executive Vice President or any college official. It is the policy of the College that all crimes or threats made against the security and safety of the campus or individuals on campus must be reported. Such incidents may also be reported to college personnel with responsibility for controlling access to buildings or facilities, or to college staff and faculty having significant responsibility for student life and campus activity.

In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, ABC is committed to providing official emergency information as quickly as the situation allows. Information concerning the status of ABC will be available to students, faculty, staff, parents and community members through a variety of sources, including:

• ABC Website Home Page
• Campus Text Alert System (ABC Alert)
• Campus and Departmental Phone Trees
• Local Radio WQQK 92.1, FM
• WTVF News Channel 5
• WZTV Fox Channel 17
• WSMV News Channel 4

It is the policy of ABC to prohibit sexual assault and sexual harassment of its students, faculty, and staff or visitors to the Campus and other persons who use the Campus facilities. Faculty, students and staff are called upon to make every effort to eliminate sexual harassment on the Campus and to report any such behavior to the officials of the College. ABC prohibits sexual harassment between or among students, faculty, staff, and persons visiting or conducting business on campus, and in all areas of the campus’s work and educational environments. Those who engage in sexual harassment may be subject to legal consequences, including civil and criminal penalties and monetary damages. Sexual harassment is prohibited by campus policy and is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Sexual assault is an extreme form of sexual harassment. Sexual assault is not only a criminal act of violence, aggression, or coercion against a single individual, but is also an attack on human dignity, a value essential to our College’s commitment to justice and equality. For these reasons, ABC encourages individuals who believe they have been sexually assaulted to report the sexual assault incidents to the appropriate Campus and governmental authorities as outlined in the Sexual Harassment policy.

Procedure to Follow if Sexual Assault Occurs:

Whom to Contact: If someone believers they are the victim of a sexual assault the quickest possible way to report it is to contact the Metro Nashville Police Department. A victim should also report the incident directly to Office of the President, the Executive Vice President, or any college official. A victim of sexual assault may go directly to a hospital and decide at the hospital what other agencies or resources to contact. Any official on campus will be glad to assist a victim in contacting the proper law enforcement agency.

Preservation of Evidence: After contacting the necessary law enforcement authorities as soon as possible, it is important that a victim of sexual assault does not shower, wash, brush teeth, or use the restroom, and that they do not wash their clothes or any bedding upon which the incident may have occurred. If they do so, important evidence can be lost and/or destroyed.

Notification of Counseling and Assistance: Counseling services for victims of sexual harassment or sexual assault can be found by contacting off-campus psychological services provided by local psychologists or community Rape Crisis Centers. Any victim who reports an incident to an on-campus official will be advised of counseling services.

Disciplinary Procedure: If the victim of sexual assault or harassment desires, and all parties involved are members of the Campus community, the incident will be referred to the Title IX Coordinator to be investigated and adjudicated under the American Baptist College Sexual Harassment policy. Sanctions that can be imposed upon a final determination of an incident may range from a reprimand up to and including dismissal from the college or termination of employment. Both the accused and the accuser are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a disciplinary proceeding. Both participants will be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sexual assault or harassment charge.

Several programs and resources are available to members of the Campus community on the topics of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Programs can be arranged through the Title IX Coordinator:

• Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Line: (615) 256-8526
• Tennessee Community Services: (615) 741-0380

• An “active shooter” situation is a circumstance when an intruder enters a building or campus grounds and threatens the personal safety and welfare of the students, faculty, staff and guests.

  Some of the characteristics of such a situation:

  • Involves one or more suspect(s) who, as police respond to the scene, are actively killing or causing serious, life-­threatening bodily injury to multiple victims.
  • The overriding objective of the suspect(s) appears to be that of mass murder, rather than other criminal conduct such as robbery or hostage-­taking.
  • Such a threat is not immediately contained and there is immediate risk of death and injury.
  • Considered the greatest threat to a campus community.
  • Leaves little or no time for proper planning and requires law enforcement to take immediate action
  • Active shooter situations can and often develop into hostage situations upon the arrival of law enforcement.

  Active shooter situations have increased and are becoming increasingly serious threats to public venues, including colleges and universities. They are usually volatile and evolve rapidly, requiring response decisions that can be influenced by several different variables. Hence, ​it is very important that faculty, staff and students immediately report any potentially threatening persons​that they see anywhere on campus that appear to be armed and acting strange. This is true even if the person is not currently engaged in any act of violence and this would include anyone armed with a bladed instrument such as a large knife, sword, machete or firearm of any kind. Call 911.

  How should you react to an active shooter situation on campus? Make a decision, trusting your instincts, act to protect yourself to survive the situation.

  Three options are recommended if you encounter a possible Active Shooter or armed intruder situation:

  • Run:​ Can you safely escape?
  • Hide:​ Is there a good place to hide?
  • Fight:​ Will you take out the shooter?

  RUN FOR SAFETY

  • If you can and you deem it safe, get out and get to a safe place.
  • Use common sense.
  • Leave personal items behind, but take your cell phone if you can.

   

  HIDE IN A SAFE PLACE

  • Find a concealed location.
  • Find protection behind furniture if possible.
  • Find a room that locks if possible.
  • Close and lock the outside door to the room, if possible. Barricade the door with furniture or other heavy objects.
  • Close the blinds, turn off the lights, remain quiet, make sure your cell phones is on silent, spread out away from other individuals, and find cover, if available.
  • Stay on the floor, away from doors or windows, and do not peek out to see what is happening
  • Make a plan with others in the room about what you will do if the shooter enters. Be totally commitment to take action as a team​.
  • Do whatever is necessary to survive.
  • When you are able and it is safe to do so, report the location of the assailant.

   

  IF OUTSIDE WHEN A SHOOTING OCCURS

  • Drop to the ground immediately, face down as flat as possible. If within 15­-20 feet of a safe place or cover, duck and run to it.
  • Move or crawl away from gunfire, trying to utilize any obstructions between you and the gunfire. Remember that many objects of cover may conceal you from sight, but may not be bulletproof.
  • When you reach a place of relative safety, stay down and do not move. Do not peek or raise your head in an effort to see what may be happening.
  • Wait and listen for directions from Law enforcement personnel.

   

  IF SUSPECT IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY

  • An individual must use his/her own discretion about when he or she must engage a shooter (or suspected armed intruder) for survival.
  • Make a plan as to how you will survive the situation.
  • Do whatever is necessary to survive the situation.

   

  HELP OUT

  • Warn others.
  • Help others escape.
  • Keep others away from the danger area.
  • Help the injured.
  • Help others stay calm.

   

  CALLING FOR HELP

  • Call 911 to report the appropriate authorities. Don’t assume that someone else has reported the incident. Be persistent; phones may be congested.
  • Calmly identify yourself and your exact location. Remain calm and answer the dispatcher’s questions. The dispatcher is trained to obtain the necessary and required information for an appropriate emergency response.
  • When safe to do so, stop and take time to get a good description of the criminal. Note height, weight, sex, race, approximate age, clothing, method and direction of travel, and his/her name, if known.
  • If the suspect is entering a vehicle, note the license plate number, make and model, color, and unique characteristics. All of this takes only a few seconds and is of the utmost help to the responding officers.

   

  WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES

  • When law enforcement reaches you, do not run at them or make sudden movements. The priority of the first responders will be to identify the shooter. Law enforcement will need to ensure that you are not the shooter.
  • Do not scream, yell, point, or wave your arms.
  • Do not hold anything in your hands that could be mistaken for a weapon (including cell phones).
  • Be quiet and compliant.
  • Show the officers your empty hands and follow their instructions.
  • Give the number of shooters.
  • Give the location and physical description of the shooter.
  • Give the number and types of weapons.
  • When it is safe to do so, you will be given instructions as to how to safely exit your location.

   

  What is “Shelter in Place”?

  Shelter ­in ­place​ refers to the need to remain where you are for your own safety. Employees and students generally cannot be forced to shelter­ in ­place; however, there are circumstances when college officials and emergency personnel will order that everyone must stay where they are for their own safety and well­being. You should consider how and where to shelter in place prior to having to take this measure.

  A shelter in place order may be issued for several reasons, including:

  • Severe weather
  • Hazardous materials
  • Intruder on campus
  • Hostage situation
  • Any situation where it is best for you to stay where you are to avoid a threat

   

  The reason for the shelter in place order may not be immediately communicated to everyone. If a shelter in place order is issued:

  1. Stay alert for instructions and updates as they become available from the emergency personnel and university administrators.
  2. If class is in session, do not allow any students to leave, if possible.
  3. If you are in other buildings such as residence hall, have everyone remain there.
  4. Remain calm and attempt to keep others calm.
  5. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
  6. Remain in your location until told everything is all clear by emergency personnel. Do not leave until you are sure of the identity or source of the person making the announcement.

   

  If you become aware of an intruder:

  • Secure doors if possible and get out of sight, away from doors and windows.
  • Turn the lights off and close any blinds or curtains. If you are not able to lock the door for any reason, attempt to barricade the door with furniture without endangering or injuring yourself.

The campus of ABC is drug free. Legally this means that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance while at ABC is prohibited. The use of alcohol (including underage drinking) on ABC premises is not allowed (unless expressly authorized by the President). Violation of this policy will be considered cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment or from a student’s program of study.

ABC will also impose sanctions, up to and including the dismissal, of any employee or student engaged in the  possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs while on college premises or while participating in a college sponsored event.

The use or possession of any weapons is prohibited on American Baptist College property or at any College-­sponsored activities or events. It is a violation of ABC policy for any person, including students, employees and visitors to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any weapon. Any person violating this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and inclusive of termination of employment or dismissal from a student’s program of study.  Violation of this prohibition may also be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency as a criminal violation.