Campus Safety

Under the Campus Carry law, effective August 1, 2016, individuals are allowed to carry their concealed handguns on TWU property only if they have a current License to Carry/Concealed Handgun License. Individuals are not allowed to open carry on campus; handguns must be concealed at all times.

Certain areas of the campus have been designated as Gun-Free Zones; these are areas that prohibit the carrying of a concealed weapon. Gun-Free Zones will be marked with a plaque on the outside of the door that says weapons are prohibited. For more information on Campus Carry or Gun-Free Zones refer to the TWU DPS website.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (known as the Clery Act) is the landmark federal law, which requires colleges and universities to disclose information about certain crimes on and around their campus as well as information about certain university policies and procedures, prevention and awareness programs, emergency notification and evacuation procedures, fire statistic information, missing student notification procedures and more. In compliance with the Clery Act, TWU publishes an Annual Security & Fire Safety Report by October 1st and sends notification emails to all faculty, staff and students about its availability.

The current Annual Security & Fire Safety Report can be found on the Clery Act Information section of the TWU DPS. 

In accordance with the Texas Education Code Section 51.973, when criminal acts, as listed in the Texas Penal Code 71.02, are committed by gang member(s) on or within 1,000 feet of the property owned, rented or leased by Texas Woman’s University, the resulting prescribed punishment will automatically be enhanced to the next level for individuals 17 years of age or older.

Texas Woman’s University uses a variety of methods to alert students, faculty, and staff in the event of a significant emergency on campus. In the event of an emergency, the Pioneer Alert system will deliver emergency messages to an affected campus by some or all of the following methods:

• Campus Computer
• TWU email
• Personal email
• Personal Telephone
• Text Message

In some situations, the need for a Crime Alert may be issued. The Crime Alert policy is different than the Emergency Notification policy in that it applies only to the Clery Act reportable crimes while the Emergency Notification policy addresses a much wider range of threats (i.e. gas leaks, tornadoes, active shooter, etc.). The circumstances in which a Crime Alert will be generated include but are not limited to, the receipt of a good faith report to TWU DPS or a Campus Security Authority of a crime reportable under the Clery Act that poses a serious or continuing threat to the campus community that occurred on our Clery geography. The Texas Woman’s University DPS is responsible for the issuance of Crime Alerts. Anyone with information warranting a Crime Alert should report the circumstances immediately to the TWU DPS, by phone (940.898.2911) or in person at the TWU DPS offices in Denton, Dallas, or Houston. If you choose to do so, you may report information of a crime to a Campus Security Authority who will then relay the information to TWU DPS. The Executive Director of Public Safety, or designated other official, is responsible for determining if a Crime Alert will be issued. The determination will be made on a case-by-case basis after due consideration of all available facts of the crime, such as the nature of the crime and whether or not a continuing danger to the campus community exists. Crime Alerts will contain sufficient information about the nature of an identified threat to assist members of the campus community in taking appropriate action to protect themselves or their property. It is important to note that in some cases law enforcement may need to withhold some of the facts if releasing the information would compromise an ongoing investigation or the identity of the victim. Crime Alerts will be issued through the University Pioneer Alert emergency notification system.

To receive notification by personal telephone, text message, or personal email you must register your information in a secure database by going to the TWU Portal website and clicking on “Register for Pioneer Alerts”.

Tornadoes and severe weather can occur at any time during the year but are more prevalent during the spring months. The approach of severe weather may be announced by Pioneer Alert, Outdoor Warning Sirens, radio and television bulletins, or a weather radio. A TORNADO WATCH means tornado conditions exist in the area, and there is a possibility that one may develop. A TORNADO WARNING means a tornado or funnel cloud has been sighted in the area and individuals on campus should seek shelter. During a TORNADO WARNING, normal TWU operations, including activities, classes, and other special events are suspended until the weather hazard has passed.

In case of an approaching tornado or severe storm requiring shelter, individuals should observe the following procedures:

1. Move to an enclosed windowless area in the center of the building (away from glass)
2. Stay away from windows, doors, and large open spaces.
3. If outdoors, move indoors quickly. When that is not possible, lie flat and face down on low ground. A vehicle is not a safe option for sheltering.
4. If available, listen to a weather radio for weather alerts. Never pull the fire alarm for notification of a tornado or severe weather alerts.
5. Stay sheltered until an all-clear is issued via Pioneer Alert.  

Other types of severe weather to be aware of include severe thunderstorms which can produce heavy rains, high winds, hail, and severe lightning.

For additional information about emergency preparedness, procedures, and severe weather areas, visit Emergency Management.