Notifications

Annual Security Fire Safety Report

The ETSU Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is published annually and includes the following information:

1. campus policy regarding the reporting of criminal activity
2. campus policy concerning facility safety and access
3. campus policy concerning law enforcement
4. information regarding safety and crime prevention programs
5. campus policy regarding the sale, possession and use of alcohol and illegal drugs
6. information regarding drug and alcohol education programs
7. campus policy regarding sexual assault programs to prevent sex offenses and procedures to follow when sex offenses occur
8. description of procedures for preparing annual disclosure of crime statistics
9. campus policy allowing disclosure of crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis
10. campus policy concerning crimes disclosed to a pastoral or mental health counselor
11. campus policy concerning the recording of student criminal activity at off-campus locations
12. timely warning procedure (campus crime alerts)
13. crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years

The ETSU Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available upon request from the Department of Public Safety, Box 70646, ETSU, Johnson City, TN 37614.  The report can be accessed on the Internet at the Department of Public Safety webpage.

Campus Security Information for Prospective Employees

In accordance with the requirements of the federal statute The Jeanne Clery Campus Security Act, ETSU makes available to all prospective employees a copy of the University's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (AS&FSR). Prospective employee is defined as an individual who has contacted an eligible institution requesting information concerning employment with that institution.

The Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (AS&FSR) is available to prospective employees on the ETSU Public Safety homepage at the Department of Public Safety webpage.

A paper copy can be printed from Public Safety page, or can be obtained by contacting the department at:
Department of Public Safety
1043 Jack Vest Drive (physical location)
PO Box 70646 (US Mail address)
Johnson City, TN 37614
Phone: (423) 439-4480
Email: bucprevention@etsu.edu

Search committees and/or supervisors performing a formal search are in compliance with this requirement through their use of the official ETSU employment application. Departments who respond to an informal request for employment information must provide the notice of availability to interested parties.  Sample letters are provided below:
Sample Letter (.doc) 
Sample Letter (.pdf)

NOTICE: Sex Offender Registration

The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act and the Tennessee College and University Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2002 require that whenever a sex offender becomes employed, enrolls as a student or volunteers at an institution of higher education in the, state of Tennessee, he or she must complete or update the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) sexual offender registration/monitoring form and deliver it to TBI headquarters in Nashville. As defined in section 40-39-102 of the Tennessee Code, a "sexual offender" means a person who is, or has been, convicted in this state of committing a sexual offense or who is, or has been, convicted in another state or another country, or who is or has been convicted in a federal or military court, of committing an act which would have constituted a sexual offense if it had been committed in this state. A "sexual offense" means the commission of acts including but not limited to aggravated and statutory rape, sexual battery, sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated prostitution, and kidnapping.

Both acts designate certain information concerning a registered sexual offender as public information and therefore amend and supercede the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other federal and state laws that previously prohibited the disclosure of such personal information. Since the laws require the publication of information pertaining to sexual offenders employed, enrolled or volunteering at an educational institution, said publication does not constitute grounds for a grievance or complaint under institutional or Tennessee Board of Regents policies or procedures.

Annual Security & Fire Safety Report

Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Notice

Because TCA 40-39-211 prohibits sex offenders required to register under TCA Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2 from knowingly accepting employment within one thousand feet (1,000’) of the property line of any public school, private or parochial school, licensed day care center, other child care facility, public park, playground recreation center or public athletic field available for use by the general public, registered sex offenders may not be eligible for employment at East Tennessee State University. 

Reporting Child Abuse

Memorandum to University Employees

In the wake of several very disturbing situations involving institutions of higher education and failure to report or aggressively pursue allegations of child sexual abuse, it is important to reiterate the existing policy and practice regarding this issue at East Tennessee State University.

In any case where there is suspicion of child sexual abuse, the Office of Public Safety is to be notified immediately, and an immediate investigation will be conducted in conjunction with appropriate criminal justice agencies and the Division of Children's Services.  ETSU encourages full cooperation with law authorities in such matters.

In a recent memorandum, TBR General Counsel, Christine Modisher, pointed out the legal obligations of all persons relative to reporting:

"Tennessee law mandates that all persons make a report when they suspect physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children.  Failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor.  The report must be made to the Division of Children's Services at 877-237-0004, or online at Report Child Abuse or to law enforcement personnel, including the police, county and district attorneys, and judges.  Contact 911 if there is a life threatening emergency.

T.C.A.  §37-1-601 to 616 covers the reporting of known or suspected child sexual abuse.  While a "child" under this law is defined as children under 13 years of age,   there are   also provisions for reporting sexual abuse of minors between 13 and 17 years of age under certain circumstances.  T.C.A. 37-1-401 to 414 covers the reporting of any wound, injury, disability, or physical or mental condition if the harm reasonably indicates that it has been caused by brutality, abuse or neglect, or reasonably appears to have been caused by brutality, abuse or neglect.  "Child" under this law is defined as under 18."

We have many activities including University School, various camps and workshops, residential and day programs, child care enterprises that involve children.  We have a number of facilities and outdoor fields on this campus which are attractive to children and which they sometimes frequent unattended by adult supervision.  We also have mutually beneficial relationships with high schools for students who are under eighteen years of age to take advantage of advanced academic programs.  It is incumbent on all of us as stewards of the most precious asset of our community to be on guard to protect children who frequent our campus from those who might harm them.

Firearms on Campus

See Firearms Policy

ETSU's Response to the Threat of Pandemic Influenza

Though no transmission of the avian flu has been reported in the United States, East Tennessee State University recognizes the importance of having a diligent plan in place in the event a local outbreak of the avian flu or another infectious disease was to occur. A task force was formed to develop a detailed preparedness plan that would encompass all areas of the university community accordingly.

If such an event were to occur, important information would be disseminated to the campus via the ETSU Alert Page which is easily accessible from the home page. Other forms of communication, such as email, would be used.

See the ETSU Emergency Preparedness webpage for complete instructions and plans.

Responsibilities for Reporting Fraud, Waste and Abuse

The Tennessee Higher Education Accountability Act requires all public institutions of higher education to provide a means by which students, employees or others may report suspected or known improper or dishonest acts.   The information below has been developed to provide required information including phone numbers and offices to which known or suspected acts can be reported.  We encourage all employees and students to review this information.  It will also be posted on various web sites including the registrar, bursar, comptroller and internal audit web pages for future references.  If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact this office or the Department of Internal Audit at 9-6156.

• Reporting Fraud, Waste, or Abuse

  State law requires all public institutions of higher education to provide a means by which students, employees, or others may report suspected or known improper or dishonest acts. In addition, the University is committed to the responsible stewardship of our resources.

  Whether you are part of departmental management, a faculty or staff member, a student, or an interested citizen, we encourage you to report known or suspected dishonest acts by employees, outside contractors, or vendors.

• What should I report?

  Dishonest acts, either known or suspected, should be reported, such as:

  • Theft or misappropriation of funds, supplies, property, or other university/college resources
  • Forgery or alteration of documents
  • Unauthorized alteration or manipulation of computer files
  • Improper and wasteful activity
  • Falsification of reports to management or external agencies
  • Pursuit of a benefit or advantage in violation of the university's conflict of interests policy
  • Authorization or receipt of compensation for hours not worked

• Think Before You Speak!

  Before making allegations of dishonesty, be reasonably certain of any claims. Such allegations can seriously and negatively impact the accused individual's life and adversely affect the working environment of the department.

• Reporting Options

  Several options are available to all university employees, students and others for reporting known or suspected dishonest acts.

  You may report your concerns:

  • To your supervisor or department head
  • To an official at your campus or institute
  • To University Internal Audit at 9-6156 or by email to reportfraud@etsu.edu. Visit the Internal Audit Reporting Fraud website for more information.
  • To the Tennessee Board of Regents by email at reportfraud@tbr.edu.
  • To the Tennessee Comptroller's Hotline for Fraud, Waste and Abuse at 1-800-232-5454

  If you are a supervisor, department head, or campus official and you receive a report of a dishonest act, contact Internal Audit at 9-6156 for further assistance.

• Investigations

  When Internal Audit receives allegations of dishonesty or other irregularity by an employee, outside contractor, or vendor, they are required to conduct an investigation.

  Departmental management should not attempt to conduct investigations nor alert suspected employees of an impending investigation.

  In an investigation, objectives include verifying the facts, maintaining objectivity and confidentiality, determining responsibility, and recommending corrective actions to help ensure that similar actions do not occur in the future.

• Protection under State Law

  As Internal Audit investigates allegations of dishonesty, the reporting individual's confidentiality is protected under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 10, Chapter 7 (subject to court action requiring disclosure). Also, state law prohibits discrimination or retaliation of any kind against employees who report allegations of dishonest acts.

• Reporting Responsibility

  Internal Audit has reporting responsibility to the Audit Committee of the Tennessee Board of Regents through the Director of System-wide Internal Auditing. This reporting relationship enables them to independently and objectively review matters involving any level of administration at the university.

• Preventing Fraud, Waste and Abuse

  University management is responsible for establishing and implementing systems and procedures to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse.

  The basic elements of a proper control system include:

  • • Creating a culture of honesty and high ethics
    • Evaluating risks and implementing processes, procedures and controls to prevent, deter and detect fraud, waste and abuse
    • Developing an appropriate oversight process

  Management at all levels of the university should review the information that is available from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in the document: Management Antifraud Programs and Controls: Guidance to Help Prevent and Deter Fraud.
  
  Please contact Internal Audit at 9-6156 if you need assistance in reviewing risks, processes, procedures or controls, or in providing internal control training.

Misrepresentation of Academic CredentialsT.C.A Sec. 49-7-133

It is a Class A misdemeanor to misrepresent academic credentials. A person commits the offense of misrepresentation of academic credentials who, knowing that the statement is false and with the intent to secure employment at or admission to an institution of higher education in Tennessee, represents, orally or in writing that such person:

1. Has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one (1) or more degrees or diplomas from an accredited institution of higher education;
2. Has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one (1) or more degrees or diplomas from a particular institution of higher education; or
3. Has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one (1) or more degrees or diplomas in a particular field or specialty from an accredited institution of higher education.