University of Memphis Ranked Safest Large Campus in Tennessee for 7th Time in 10 years

May 9, 2022 — The University of Memphis once again ranks as the safest large campus in the State of Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s 2021 Crime on Campus Report. This marks the seventh time in 10 years the UofM has ranked as the safest of the state’s 10 universities with a student population of more than 5,000.

Over the last decade, the UofM has consistently held one of the lowest reported crime rates among large public and private universities in Tennessee. Crime decreased 4% across all Tennessee colleges and universities in 2021. Incidents at UofM campuses decreased 14% from 8.1 per 1,000 student population to 6.9 – the lowest since the University began tracking crimes per 1,000 in 2001. The other Tennessee institutions ranged from 7.6 to 24.2 with a median of 13.3 last year. 

“The University of Memphis continues to have a strong safety record by putting students first and making campus a safe and welcoming place to be,” said UofM President Bill Hardgrave. “It is tremendous and gratifying to know that the UofM has been ranked the safest large campus in Tennessee for seven of the last 10 years.”

UofM Police Services is a state-certified police agency. Officers and detectives have enforcement powers anywhere in Memphis or Jackson (Lambuth campus) to address and investigate all University-related issues. They work 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, patrolling in cars, on bikes and on foot.

Among the key initiatives designed to protect students and promote a safer campus environment are: furthering the University's commitment to preventing sexual assaults and harassment; offering instant emergency alerts and the ability to text police through the LiveSafe app for smartphones; and the Tiger Escort Program, which offers safety escorts for students from dusk until dawn.

The University has more than 800 cameras, both inside and outside of buildings, across its campuses. Additionally, the University employs Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles, examining lighting, landscaping, design features of new construction and maintaining a line of sight between pedestrian traffic and buildings to maximize safety.

Read the complete report here.