Vanderbilt’s 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report showed a decrease in rape, fondling and stalking and showed an increase in motor vehicle theft and drug-related violations. The report outlined crime statistics from 2023 reported to the U.S. Department of Education in compliance with the Clery Act.
The report drew crime data from several sources, including the Vanderbilt University Police Department and the Title IX Office.
First-year Angeline Nairns highlighted the value of the safety reports in raising student awareness about campus safety.
“I think it’s just helpful for all the students to understand all the content in those emails [annual safety reports],” Nairns said.
Violence Against Women Act violations
Reports of rape dropped from 23 cases in 2022 to 13 in 2023, similarly reports of fondling decreased from 23 to 15. Stalking reports decreased from 32 to 12, and reports of domestic violence increased from two to six.
Project Safe Director Cara Tuttle said the Project Safe Center created educational programming on consent and sexual misconduct to help limit cases of violence against women.
“Project Safe staff consistently offer a full range of sexual misconduct prevention programs that address all forms of sexual misconduct, and we also tailor programs throughout the year to the needs and interests of students and student organizations,” Tuttle said. “We’ve increased our education on online safety each year as students increasingly engage in online dating and sexual and romantic messaging through various apps.”
Tuttle also said Project Safe offers a liaison program for student organizations, allowing designated members to receive training on prevention and support services.
“Project Safe has a student organization liaison program so that any student organization may designate a member as a Project Safe liaison,” Tuttle said. “That person will receive training on our prevention programs and support services. The liaisons also share information about upcoming events with their members throughout the year.”
Other crimes
There was an increase in reported motor vehicle thefts from eight in 2022 to 35 in 2023. In 2023, Vanderbilt expanded its definition of motor vehicle theft to include all motorized scooters, bicycles and skateboards. Reports of burglary decreased from six to four, and liquor law violations decreased from 129 to 95. However, cases of drug-related violations increased from 14 to 33.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, crime cases of destruction/vandalism of property increased from 56 in 2022 to 61 in 2023.
The AlertVU system, a mass notification platform, saw upgrades in 2024 to improve responsiveness and broaden reach. Two full-scale AlertVU tests were conducted in March and September of 2024, each involving the entire campus community and external partners including Metro Nashville Police and Fire Departments.
First-year Chloe Park shared her thoughts on the impact of the data.
“The increasing number of crimes is sad to see,” Park said. “However, I do think relative to the size of our school, the numbers are quite low.”
Fire safety incidents
Between 2021 and 2023, a total of eleven fires were reported in residence halls and Greek houses, with no injuries recorded. Eight of the fires occurred in kitchens, and three fires caused damages exceeding $2,000. In 2023, a fire in Chaffin Place A resulted in around $1,477 in damages, and an incident in Mayfield Place E caused $2,585 in damages. A small equipment fire in Rothschild College caused $15,000 in damages in 2023.
According to the report, all residence halls are equipped with smoke detectors, sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers, ensuring compliance with both local and federal fire safety standards.
Sophomore Chelsea Liebenthal expressed her concerns about cooking safety.
“The fact that eight fires throughout the last few years occurred in kitchens leads to concerns about cooking safety,” Liebenthal said. “I wonder if Vanderbilt should make an effort to educate students about techniques to keep themselves and others safe.”
Sophomore Aimee Permpoonwiwat acknowledged the value of the annual safety reports, expressing appreciation for the transparency they provide. However, she said she hopes that future reports will be easier to digest.
“The reports were extensive and reaffirm Vanderbilt’s commitment to supporting student wellbeing and safety,” Permpoonwiwat said. “I would appreciate it if the university made it more concise since it would be easier for students to access and engage with the important information provided.”
