With the start of a new school year inevitably comes the challenge of navigating something new, whether that be a hard class, a different living situation or a changing relationship.
Vice Chancellor for Student Life Vincent Carilli shared an email with a detailed list of important student resources that could be very beneficial during the transitional time at the beginning of the semester and throughout the school year.
Hilltopics, the Student Handbook
This is basically the Volunteer Constitution. Hilltopics outlines all of the rights we possess and the rules we must follow as students at the University of Tennessee. It also contains the honor code and describes the disciplinary process the campus follows, which applies to student organizations as well as individual students. The handbook includes information about numerous student resources, in addition to the ones described in this article. Hilltopics is available exclusively online and you can find it here.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide rates are very high among college students across the nation. UT is committed to offering support to any student who is struggling with their mental health. UT has partnered with the JED Foundation, an organization which works to prevent suicide and foster emotional health among teens and young adults. The Student Counseling Center is available for any students who need someone to talk to, and 865-946-CARE is a help line for faculty and staff.
If you are concerned that someone you know is a risk to themselves or that you are a risk to yourself, please take the appropriate actions to report the situation; your decision to do so could save a life. Call the Office of the Dean of Students’ 865-974-HELP if you are concerned about a fellow student, and 865-946-CARE if you are concerned about a faculty or staff member. However, if the situation is immediately life-threatening, please call 911 or the UTPD at 865-974-3111.
Free Speech Policies on Campus
According to the Tennessee Campus Free Speech Protection Act, the University of Tennessee is committed to allowing students to exercise their free speech and 1st Amendment rights on campus. Maintaining an atmosphere of free speech increases learning on campus as students are able to share ideas with one another and explore new points of view. Preserving free speech allows students to exercise their rights, with the expectation that we will also respect the dignity of the university.
Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, Stalking and Retaliation
Students who are victims of sexual misconduct, relationship violence, stalking, retaliation or any similar crimes are strongly encouraged to report the incident to the Title IX coordinator, the Sexual Assault Response Team or the UTPD. You can find information and contacts for reporting incidents on the Title IX website. If you are a victim of one of the above crimes or one similar and choose to report it, you are in no way required to pursue university discipline or criminal prosecution of the person who caused you harm. UT is committed to providing a safe environment for students, and this type of misconduct and action is completely unacceptable, has no place on our campus and will not be tolerated. If necessary, disciplinary action will be taken by the university and may result in expulsion.
