The Audit and Compliance Committee of the University of Tennessee System convened on July 1, 2025, to review campus safety data and compliance measures. The meeting focused on crime statistics reported for the year 2024, highlighting trends and changes across various campuses.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported an overall decrease in offenses for 2024, particularly noting significant declines in assaultive offenses and stalking incidents. Additionally, there was a reduction in drug and narcotics violations. A three-year trend analysis indicated that 2022 marked a peak in reported offenses, followed by a slight decrease in 2023 and a modest increase from 2023 to 2024.

The committee examined specific data from each campus. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, which has a population of 44,509, there was an increase in drug and narcotics violations as well as weapons law violations. Notably, 95% of drug violations and 40% of weapons law violations were cleared, indicating that arrests were made in these cases.

In contrast, the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, with a population of 13,103, reported a decrease in vandalism and thefts, alongside a slight uptick in drug and narcotics violations. Meanwhile, the University of Tennessee Southern, which serves a smaller population of 1,060, showed minimal changes over the past three years. Although theft offenses decreased, there was a slight increase in drug violations. It is important to note that UT Southern is unique among the campuses as it does not have its own law enforcement agency.

The meeting concluded with a review of the data provided, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and compliance efforts to ensure campus safety across the University of Tennessee System. The committee plans to continue discussions on these trends and their implications for future safety initiatives.