Campus Safety

The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center (HSC) is committed to ensuring a safe environment for students, faculty, staff and all visitors to our campus.

 

HSC Police Department

The HSC Police Department is a state-authorized, full-service police agency that provides law enforcement and security services to the campus community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. HSC police officers are fully state certified and have the same authorities as any police officer in the state of Texas. We encourage all to become familiar with the Police Department’s support resources to help create and maintain a safe, secure environment for employees, students,  and visitors. Officers are commissioned by The University of Texas System Board of Regents and licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. With a staff of commissioned police officers and guards, we have officers on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days each year.

Mission Statement

The mission of the HSC Police Department is to provide a safe and secure campus for members of the university community, emergency services, and campus services through a well-trained and efficient work force.

Our focus is on crime prevention, and all reported criminal incidents occurring on the HSC campus are investigated by HSC officers. We maintain a cooperative relationship with local municipal police agencies, county sheriffs’ departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Hours of Operations and Location

The HSC Police Department’s patrol and communications personnel serve the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. The department’s administrative office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on holidays. The Police Department is located on the campus of HSC in Building 717 on Camp Fannin Ave.

Report a Crime

You can help keep our community safe! If you see suspicious activity or witness a crime, we encourage you to report a crime. You can submit a crime report online, and reports can be made anonymously if desired.

Title IX: Protecting Against Sexual Harassment/Misconduct

HSC does not tolerate sexual discrimination, and we are committed to maintaining a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination based on sex. Title IX is a federal law that helps protect the students and employees across our campus. Learn more about Title IX and how to report an incident.

Campus Community Service

We provide assistance for individuals on our campus, such as vehicle assistance for stranded motorists and for unlocking vehicles and providing jump starts. We are available to escort our patients, students, and visitors to their cars at night. In addition, we serve as the site for lost and found items. For assistance, call (903) 877-5297.

Traffic and Parking Regulations

Traffic and parking regulations, as defined by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, are strictly enforced on the campus of HSC. In addition, citations will be given for violations like parking in areas not designated for guest parking, leaving a vehicle unattended in patient loading/unloading zones, or damaging campus property. The enforcement fee is $20 for each violation.

Campus Carry

The possession of weapons including the open carry of firearms, illegal, knives, clubs explosive devices, etc. anywhere on the HSC property is strictly forbidden and constitutes a violation of state statute.

HSC respects the Federal and Texas Constitutions, both of which recognize Texas citizens’ right to keep and bear arms and the Texas Legislature’s power to regulate the wearing of Handguns. HSC also recognizes its right under the Campus Carry Law to implement its own reasonable rules, regulations, and other provisions regarding the carriage on its premises of Concealed Handguns by holders of Concealed Handgun Licenses (“CHL Holders”). In seeking to fulfill its obligations under the Campus Carry Law to determine appropriate Exclusion Zones and permitted Concealed Handgun License Zones (“CHL Zones”), HSC strives to recognize CHL Holders’ rights in the context of: (1) the nature of HSC’s faculty, student, administrator, patient, and patient family populations; (2) specific safety considerations; (3) the uniqueness of HSC’s Campus environment; (4) applicable laws and contractual obligations; (5) issues of practical implementation; and (6) ease of compliance and reasonable administration and enforcement. HSC believes this policy respects the rights and interests of all stakeholders and achieves a fair and balanced approach to carrying of Concealed Handguns by CHL Holders on its Campus.

THIS POLICY DOES NOT AUTHORIZE THE OPEN CARRY OF A HANDGUN ON HSC’S CAMPUS, AND THE OPEN CARRYING OF A HANDGUN IS PROHIBITED ON HSC’S CAMPUS.

Exclusion Zones Specific to HSC Campus

  • A Building patient care areas, including Emergency Room and Behavioral Health Intake
  • F Building Pediatric Behavioral Health and Cystic Fibrosis patient care areas
  • E Building (Riter Center) patient care areas
  • Academic Center 1st and 2nd Floor patient care areas
  • Biomedical Research building
  • Intensive Outpatient Psychiatry (IOP) Building in Longview
  • Public Health Laboratory of East Texas (PHLET) building
  • AA Building which encompasses Surgery, Day Surgery, and Rehabilitation Services patient care areas
  • Outpatient Care Clinics located in Overton, Lindale, University Health Clinic (UHC) Tyler, and North Tyler Clinic
  • Analogous to government court, areas in which formal disciplinary hearings are being held. Hearing notices will include a statement informing participants that weapons are not permitted in hearings. Hearings may take place in a variety of spaces which best meet the needs of each particular hearing. Considering the infrequency of formal disciplinary hearings and varying locations, temporary notices will be placed at the entrance of the room in which the hearing is being held.