Staying safe on campus is a shared responsibility. OCS is committed to giving the Belmont community the knowledge, tools and resources to look out for themselves and each other — on campus and beyond.
Belmont Alerts
Belmont Alerts is the University's emergency mass notification system designed to keep the campus community safe and informed. In the event of a significant or urgent threat, alerts are sent by text message, phone call and email.
When Alerts Are Sent
Belmont issues two types of campus safety notifications:
- A Timely Warning is issued when a crime has occurred on or immediately adjacent to campus that poses a serious or continuing threat to the community — such as aggravated assault, robbery, arson or sexual offenses.
- A Security Notice may be sent for serious crimes that occur off campus but appear to present a threat to members of the Belmont community.
Both are distributed via email and may also be posted in residence halls. Emergency text alerts are reserved for urgent, immediate threats — such as active criminal activity, severe weather, or situations that disrupt normal campus operations.
How To Sign Up
All students, faculty and staff with a Belmont email address are automatically opted into email alerts. To add text or voice call notifications — or to add family members to your alert contacts — sign into MyBelmont and select "Belmont Alerts Sign Up" under the Campus Security and Safety tab.
During an emergency, Belmont may also post updates to the University homepage, official social media accounts and via campus-wide voicemail. For non-emergency updates, follow @belmontsecurity on Instagram and TikTok.
During an emergency, immediate and appropriate action from every member of the Belmont community can make a significant difference. Familiarizing yourself with these guidelines helps emergency personnel respond more quickly and effectively.
For all emergencies, call Belmont Security at 615-460-6911 or dial 6911 from any campus phone.
Belmont's emergency preparedness resources cover a range of scenarios. Visit the links below to know what to do before, during and after each type of emergency:
- Medical Emergencies
- Environmental Emergencies
- Physical Threats
- Sexual Assault
- Shelter in Place
- Emergency Evacuation & Reunification
- Natural & Weather Threats
A few habits that could make a real difference in an emergency: know the two nearest exits in every building you frequent, keep a printed list of important phone numbers in case your phone is unavailable and sign up for Belmont Alerts so you're notified immediately when something happens on campus.
Stay Safe On Campus
A few habits go a long way. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you stay safe on campus:
- Walk in groups whenever possible, especially at night
- Use well-lit and well-traveled routes
- Keep your head up and stay aware of your surroundings
- Trust your instincts — if something feels off, get to a safe place and call OCS
- Don't wear earphones while walking alone at night
- Before leaving a building or your car, take a quick look around
- Know where emergency phones are located on campus
- Sign up for Belmont Alerts so you receive emergency notifications in real time
Need an escort? Call OCS at 615-460-6617 and an officer will walk with you to or from your vehicle or next campus destination — no distance too short.
Protect Your Property
The most common crime on campus is petty theft, and most of it is preventable. Keep these tips in mind:
- Never leave valuables unattended or visible in your vehicle
- Lock your residence hall room or office whenever you leave, even briefly
- Use a quality lock on your bicycle — U-locks are recommended
- Don't leave bags, laptops or wallets in unlocked or unoccupied spaces
- Be alert to people attempting to follow others into buildings without swiping in
- Keep a record of your valuables' serial numbers
Belmont University is not responsible for loss, damage or theft of personal property. Questions? Email campussecurity@belmont.edu.
Reporting a Crime or Suspicious Activity
See something that doesn't seem right? Here's what to do.
Get to a safe location first
Call OCS immediately: 615-460-6911 for emergencies, 615-460-6617 for non-emergencies
In a crisis, call security or 911 before calling family or friends. When seconds count, reach the people who can help first.
When you call, be ready to share:
- Your name and contact number
- The nature and location of the incident
- A description of anyone involved
- Whether emergency response is needed
You may also report incidents directly to Metro Nashville Police. OCS will coordinate with all relevant agencies as needed.
Prevention Programs
OCS offers programming throughout the year on personal safety, crime prevention and community wellbeing. Current offerings include:
- Bystander Intervention (It's On Us) — Learn how to recognize situations that need intervention and feel empowered to act, particularly in cases involving sexual and relationship violence.
- Basic Self-Defense — An introduction to self-defense philosophy and hands-on practice of basic tactical releases and defensive strikes with trained facilitators.
- Escalation Workshop — A facilitated discussion using content from the One Love Foundation on the warning signs of relationship violence and how to respond.
- Active Shooter Response — A practical presentation covering pre-incident indicators, response options and lockdown procedures.
- Basics of Sexual Violence Prevention — An overview of sexual violence statistics, contributing factors and what Belmont is doing to address them.
- QPR/Suicide Prevention — Teaches the Question, Persuade, Refer framework for recognizing and responding to someone in crisis.
Several programs are offered in collaboration with Student Formation, the Office of Title IX and other campus partners.
All programs are available on request. To schedule a session or learn more, email securityprograms@belmont.edu.