The Role of Campus Safety 

The Rhodes College Campus Safety Department is committed to fostering a safe, secure, and inclusive environment that supports the academic and personal growth of our diverse community. Through proactive patrol, respectful engagement, emergency preparedness, and collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, we uphold the values of trust, integrity, and service. Our goal is to ensure a welcoming campus where everyone can thrive in pursuit of knowledge and community.

The Campus Safety Department is structured within Rhodes’ Division of Business and Finance. However, Campus Safety is still involved with all aspects of student life.

Although the Campus Safety staff is considered a private security and safety force, they are responsible for enforcement of all state and local laws, College policies and procedures, security, safety, and emergency responses. As a “first responder”, Campus Safety stands ready and well-trained to provide support services to meet the many and varied needs of the Rhodes Community.

Due to the importance of Campus Safety, students are advised that it is a specific offense of the student code of conduct to fail to comply with the directions of a College official including those with Campus Safety or to fail to identify oneself to a College official including those officers in Campus Safety.

Hoverboards. Hoverboards, including self-balancing scooters (Bird, Lyme, etc.), battery operated scooters, hands-free Segways, and electrical bikes are prohibited on campus.

Scooters. No electric scooters are allowed on campus or inside the gates, unless approved for a student as an accessibility accommodation. For safety purposes, there is a designated parking area for electric scooters outside the gates along the curb of University Street located just south of the Tutwiler crosswalk and near the Bellingrath Hall pedestrian gate. This is the only approved parking area for electric scooters.

The access control system at Rhodes College includes electronic key fobs, camera door alarms, keypad doors, automated gates and keys. These methods help to ensure safe, secure, and efficient access to campus buildings and facilities.

Students have access to certain academic and administrative buildings in pursuit of their studies after these buildings have been locked. Access to restricted or prohibited areas must follow the below procedures:

1. Ask the appropriate departmental representative to certify that they are authorized to enter the room during a specified time. Theis authorization must be sent to Campus Safety where it will be retained on file. 

2. Access to students’ rooms for anyone other than the registered occupant must always have the authorization of Residence Life, Student Life, or Campus Safety Administrators. This includes parents, family members, and friends of the registered occupant.

3. Key fobs are for individual use only and may not be shared or loaned. 

4. Unauthorized or misuse of a fob may result in disciplinary action including revocation of access privileges and referral to Community Standards.

5. Tailgating (entering behind someone without using a fob) is prohibited and subject to the same above penalty.

6. Fobs are deactivated when students are no longer affiliated with Rhodes.

7. All fobbed usage is logged. 

8. Users must immediately report a lost, stolen, or damaged fob to Campus Safety.

9. Replacement of keys and fobs that are either lost or damaged is done by accessing the work order system on express.rhodes.edu and complete a work order form.

10. A $25 fob replacement fee may apply.

In 1990, the Jeanne Clery Act was signed into law and requires colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs, such as Rhodes College, to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their campuses. In accordance with the Clery Act, Rhodes publishes an Annual Security Report by October 1 of each year. You can click on Rhodes College Annual Security Report to view the report. 

For questions concerning the Clery Act, contact the Campus Safety Department.

The Rhodes College missing student policy is directed toward students who reside in on-campus student housing. Rhodes College will report to the students appropriate contact person and to the Memphis Police Department any student who has been determined to be missing.

If any member of the Rhodes community believes that a student who lives in on-campus housing is missing from campus, one of the individuals or organizations on the list below should be contacted:

• Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students

• Director of Residence Life

• Director of Campus Safety

• Rhodes College Campus Safety

• Memphis Police Department

1. When a campus official other than Campus Safety receives a report that a student is missing, the report must be referred to Campus Safety immediately for investigation. The Campus Safety Department will initiate a “Missing Student” report. The College will take reasonable and prudent steps to locate the student. Campus Safety may contact the Memphis Police Department for assistance in its investigation.

2. Students can identify a contact person whom Rhodes College shall notify upon determination, by either Campus Safety or the Memphis Police Department, that a student is missing.

3. This contact information will be confidential and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials and will be disclosed only to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of the missing student investigation.

4. Students under 18 years of age and are not emancipated, a custodial parent or guardian must be notified that the student is missing, in addition to notifying any additional contact person designated by the student.

5. Rhodes College will notify the Memphis Police Department upon determination that the student is missing, unless a local law enforcement agency determines the student is missing.

Once a student has been determined to be missing, Rhodes College will take the following actions:

1. Notify the emergency contact person named by the missing student. Notification will be made by all methods of contact provided by the missing student.

2. Notify the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian if the missing student is under the age of 18 and not emancipated.

3. Notify the Memphis Police Department if it was not already involved in the missing person investigation.

Rhodes Alert & Outdoor Warning Siren

In the event of an emergency, students will be notified by Campus Safety in the most expeditious manner possible. This may be with the outdoor warning siren and/or with the Rhodes Alert System. 

Rhodes Alert/Warning Clearance

In certain circumstances where an alert has been issued a follow-up message will proceed with it i.e. “All clear” or “It is safe to resume normal campus activity.”

The College utilizes a mass communication system capable of emailing, texting, and calling all students, faculty and staff in an emergency. This system is used to communicate delays and closures due to inclement weather, as well as alerting the community to present or continuing threats that may exist.

The College is equipped with an outdoor warning system. When the county activates the tornado siren, the College will do the same. The siren will continue to alert until the weather hazard has passed. When this siren is activated, it will be preceded by verbal instructions. All community members must follow the instructions and seek shelter.

Rhodes College welcomes guests and visitors while maintaining the safety and comfort of our campus community. All guests and visitors must comply with college policies and local, state, and federal laws while on campus. 

Definitions

• Guest:  A guest is an individual invited to campus by a student or other member of the Rhodes community. Guests are required to remain under the direct supervision of their host for the duration of their visit.
• Visitor: A visitor is an individual who comes to campus for business or personal reasons without a specific host, such as attending events or meetings. Visitors are responsible for their adherence to campus policies.

Guests on Campus

Guests are required to always remain under the responsibility of their host. 

• The host is accountable for ensuring the guest abides by and respects all campus policies, including those related to safety, conduct, respect for others, and behavioral expectations.  Failure of the guest to adhere to campus regulations and policies will result in the host’s referral to the Office of Community Standards.  
• The responsibility for hosting a guest cannot be transferred from one individual to another during their visit.
• Guests are not permitted on campus during high-stress academic periods, such as finals week and senior week, to ensure minimal disruption to the learning environment.

Overnight Guests in Residence Halls

Rhodes College allows overnight guests under the following conditions:

• Rhodes College allows 24-hour visitation provided the student first secures verbal approval from their roommate(s) and/or suitemate(s) before the guest's arrival.
• Roommate Rights: A roommate’s right to free access to the room/apartment, privacy, study, or sleep should not be compromised due to the presence of a guest.
• Cohabitation Policy: The College prohibits cohabitation. Cohabitation is a guest staying overnight for more than three consecutive nights. Violations may result in disciplinary actions.
• Guest Registration Process: All overnight guests must be registered through the Office of Residence Life by completing the Overnight Guest Registration Form. This form must be submitted at least 24 hours before the guest’s stay. The host is responsible for ensuring their guest is registered and for adherence to all Residence Life policies. No one under the age of sixteen can be an overnight guest.
• If an unregistered guest is discovered or the guest policies are violated, the student hosting the guest will lose overnight privileges. There may be additional disciplinary action.
• Various types of misconduct may result in the removal of guests and referral of hosts to the Office of Community Standards (refer to the Student Handbook for more details).

Guests are not permitted during finals week and senior week to protect the integrity of the academic environment.

Guest and Visitor Check-In Process

All are required to follow the campus check-in process upon arrival:

• Identification: Visitors must present a valid driver’s license or other approved government ID at the campus gate.
• Guest/Visitor Badge: The guest/visitor's ID will be scanned into the Raptor system, and a visitor badge will be issued with their name, photo, and destination. All vehicle passengers must present identification to ensure campus security.

• Students who enter through the North Parkway gate with guests must register guests at the Phillips or Bailey gate when the North Parkway gate is not staffed.

• Visitors to West Campus should be directed or taken to one of the staffed gates to allow their guests to check in through the Raptor process before proceeding to their destination.

• Students with overnight guests are required to register their guest(s) at one of the staffed gates. The visitor will receive a visitor badge with the expiration date included.

Large Events: 

• Pre-registered guests/visitors may bypass the Raptor system by displaying their event parking pass or emailed event pass, allowing quicker access to the campus.
• Event organizers are required to submit the list of attendees to Campus Safety at least 48 hours before the event for guests to bypass the visitor check-in process. Campus Safety will send you a visitor pass, which you can forward to your guests.
• If multiple people will be in one vehicle, include the names of the passengers on the list sent to Campus Safety.
• The pass will allow them to pass through the gate without being stopped.  Guests will not be turned away if you do not follow these steps; they will have their ID scanned and be issued a visitor badge as described above.   

For more details on the visitor check-in process, refer to the guidelines provided by Campus Safety.

Trespass Notice

Campus Safety or any Rhodes official may issue a Criminal Trespass Notice if it is determined that an individual poses a threat to the safety, well-being, or academic environment of the College. If a person is deemed to have committed a crime, they may be subject to arrest by the Memphis Police Department.

Campus Safety has a parking system that is based upon compliance, safety, and convenience for all. Written regulations and appropriate signage are established to facilitate traffic flow, control parking, protect fire lanes, and designated unloading areas. 

Parking information is available on the Campus Safety website, all parking maps, and in both the Student Handbook and College Handbook. If you have any questions, please contact the Campus Safety office at 901-843-3880.

All members of the Rhodes community who park on campus are required to register their vehicles with the Campus Safety Department and display a current registration decal. If a member of the Rhodes community drives a vehicle on campus, it must be registered with either a permanent or temporary registration decal. 

Faculty, staff, and students must register their vehicles online via the parking registration link on the Rhodes College Parking Portal. People choosing not to register their vehicles for on-campus parking must park off-campus, or they are subject to receiving a parking violation citation.  

If you choose not to register your vehicle, you must still abide by all "off-campus" parking regulations. 

All cars, bikes, and motorcycles parking on campus must have a current parking decal. Vehicles may be registered by clicking on Rhodes College Parking Portal. After registering the vehicle, a notification email will be sent when the decal is ready for pickup at the Mailroom. 

A current parking decal must be properly affixed inside driver′s side, front windshield, on the lower left.

Parking at Rhodes College is available at no cost to faculty and staff.  However, the Parking Registration Fee for students is $400.00 per academic year. Those parking on the Rhodes campus park at their own risk. Rhodes is not responsible for any damage to personal vehicles including, but not limited to, weather damage, accidents, damage, or theft.

All bicycles should be registered at the Campus Safety Office. 

Bicycles may be stored: 

1. in the student's own dorm room; or
2. In the outside bike racks. 

If bikes are stored outside, they should be locked to the bike rack. 

Bicycles may not be stored in hallways, social rooms, alcoves, under stairways, or other unauthorized places. Campus Safety or Residence Life staff will remove bicycles found in unauthorized locations.

Parking in accessible spaces on campus requires a temporary or permanent state-issued disability parking placard or license plate.  For more information, click Campus Access.

Campus pedestrian gates are equipped with locking devices and springs to ensure proper perimeter safety and security. Students are issued electronic key fobs that will allow access to these gates. If a gate is left unsecured, please close it. Don’t hold or prop gates open. Notify Campus Safety if a gate is malfunctioning.

Entering Campus. When a Campus Safety officer is on duty at any entrance onto the campus, drivers without decals must stop and check in before entering. All passengers must also check in with the officer. 

Moving Vehicle Regulations. 

The maximum posted speed limit on college property is 15 mph. Vehicle operators must have their vehicles under control at all times regardless of their speed to avoid collision or endangering others’ well-being. Vehicle operators who fail to control their vehicle, who endanger others’ well-being, or who have the potential to endanger others while operating a vehicle are subject to being held accountable for reckless driving.

• Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol on campus is strictly prohibited and may be prosecuted with police involvement.
• Driving is permitted only on designated surfaced drives. No vehicles are allowed on grass, lawns, or fields without special permission.
• Failure to stop at posted stop signs will result in a referral to the Office of Community Standards.
   

No Parking Areas. Access ramps, such as those behind Clough Hall and Rhodes Physics Tower provide access to buildings for firefighting equipment and must remain open. Additionally, access ramps provide routes of egress to open areas from many of the campus buildings in case of fire and must be kept free of parked vehicles. If a space is not lined or marked as a parking space, it is considered a violation to park in the space and will be cited as such.

All campus streets are designated as fire lanes except Phillips Lane. No parking in any fire lane. 

Illegal Parking. All legal parking areas within the college complex are clearly indicated both on site and in publications. Parking in areas other than those properly lined as parking spaces is a violation and will be cited. Parking along curbs, unless clearly marked as a parking space or unless otherwise authorized is strictly prohibited.

Visitor parking is considered "reserved" twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week. Areas designated as visitor parking are strictly reserved for visitors to the campus only. Unauthorized parking will be cited and vehicle may be towed.

Off Campus Parking. While parking on campus is recommended, those who choose to park on streets near Rhodes should be aware of restrictions imposed by both the City of Memphis and also those regulations held by Rhodes College. City of Memphis parking restrictions are so marked.

Rhodes College restricts parking in the following areas where Rhodes community members are not allowed to park: 1) North side of Snowden west of University; 2) South side of Snowden, west of the alley behind Stewart Hall, 3) North side of Tutwiler, west of the entrance to Spann/Stewart Parking lot, and 4) the west side of University Street north of Snowden Ave to Jackson Ave. These restrictions apply to all members of the Rhodes community.

Temporary Parking Locations. Temporary parking for loading and unloading has been designated and so marked. These areas are for the specific use of loading and unloading and authorized for fifteen (15) minute periods only and further for loading and unloading only. Use of these areas for any other reason is strictly prohibited.

Obstructing Traffic Charges. If a vehicle is parked in such a way whereby two vehicles cannot pass abreast of each other safely because of the parked vehicle, it will be cited for obstructing traffic.

Use of Emergency Flashers. Use of emergency flashers DOES NOT justify parking in violation of regulations and IS NOT an appropriate cause for appeal. Use of flashers does not legitimize a violation of parking regulations. Time elapsed is not an element of a violation. Violating a parking regulation "for only two minutes to run inside" is not a defense for the violation.

Penalties. Fines assessed for traffic and parking violations are indicated on the citation. Payment of the fine is required within ten (10) days of the date of issuance unless appealed. 

Appeal of Citations. If you believe you have received a citation in error, you may ask for an appeal of the charges through the Parking Appeals Board. This board is made up of representatives from the faculty, staff and student populations. 

To file an appeal, you must do so online within (10) calendar days of the offense. Otherwise, the right to appeal is forfeited. 

Appeals should be filed on-line in the Rhodes College Parking Portal.  All of the pertinent details such as the citation number, time and date issued, location, name and R number of the citation recipient must be included in the appeal.

Appeals are heard several times each semester and outcomes are emailed to appellant.

The ruling of the appeals board is final.