As we approach the end of the semester and you prepare for the summer, I want to remind you of tips and resources for your personal safety.

It’s important to remain aware of your surroundings and be prepared in any situation that may arise—whether you are on campus, in Knoxville, or in another city.

LiveSafe: The end of the semester can be stressful. Remember to connect to help—for yourself or a friend—through the campus mobile safety app LiveSafe. Send a tip to get help or click the resources tab to learn more about options.

Feeling overwhelmed with upcoming final exams and projects? It’s OK to take a break. Walk outside and use LiveSafe’s SafeWalk feature to have a contact virtually accompany you.

Ride-share safety: Using a ride-share vehicle has become commonplace on and off campus. Before entering a vehicle, verify that the car, driver, and license plate match what’s shown in the app. If they do not match, do not approach the vehicle. Ask “What’s my name?” before entering the vehicle. If they can’t answer you, walk away. Once inside a ride-share vehicle, you can use the LiveSafe SafeWalk feature to have a contact virtually accompany you. Simply switch the app from “walking” to “driving.”

Pedestrian safety: Jaywalking, particularly at busy intersections, is a significant issue on the UT campus. We often see distracted students crossing intersections against control signals and without regard to oncoming traffic. Please pay attention to the signs and cross only when the signal indicates to do so.

Theft prevention: When you take a study break, do not leave your belongings unattended. Take them with you. Lock your vehicles, keep your valuables out of view, and take your keys with you.

Best of luck as you wrap up the spring semester,

Troy Lane

Chief of Police

Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety