Annual Security Report

Students, employees, and visitors are strongly encouraged to promptly report all criminal actions, suspicious activity, and other emergencies occurring on or near campus.

1. 1.

   Imminent danger or life-threatening emergency

   1. a.

      Call 911 immediately.

   2. b.

      Clearly state your location, the nature of the emergency, and any known injuries or hazards.

2. 2.

   Non-emergency crimes or safety concerns on campus

   1. a.

      Contact ACU Campus Security at (512) 931-9717 (phone) or scotteberle@celebration.church (email).

   2. b.

      You may also report concerns in person at the Campus Security office during posted hours.

3. 3.

   Anonymous or confidential reporting options

   1. a.

      ACU does not currently provide an anonymous reporting platform; reports should be made directly to Campus Security or local law enforcement.

Upon receiving a report of a crime or emergency, ACU will:

• •

  Assess the immediate threat to the health and safety of the campus community.

• •

  Contact 911 or request local law enforcement and/or emergency medical services, as appropriate.

• •

  Dispatch campus personnel to the scene, if available and appropriate.

• •

  Take reasonable steps to preserve evidence and protect the scene until law enforcement arrives.

• •

  Document the report in campus records and, where applicable, in the crime statistics maintained for Clery Act reporting.

• •

  Provide victims with information on available resources, including medical care, counseling, academic accommodations, and reporting options under university policy and applicable law.

Victims or witnesses may choose whether to report a crime to law enforcement. ACU strongly encourages accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to both campus authorities and local law enforcement.

• •

  Academic and administrative buildings are generally open during normal business hours when classes are in session or university business is being conducted.

• •

  Outside of posted hours, buildings are locked and access is limited to authorized personnel with keys or card access.

• •

  Exterior doors and locks are inspected routinely, and maintenance requests for security concerns (e.g., broken locks, malfunctioning doors, inadequate lighting) receive priority.

• •

  Modern security systems secure residence halls.

• •

  Exterior doors remain locked 24 hours a day; residents receive individual credentials and are instructed not to share keys/cards or allow tailgating through exterior doors.

• •

  Guests and visitors must comply with ACU’s guest policies, which may include check-in procedures, visiting hours, and host responsibilities.

• •

  ACU considers safety and security in the maintenance of campus facilities, including lighting, landscaping, and physical barriers.

• •

  Community members are encouraged to promptly report security or safety hazards (e.g., burned-out lights, broken windows, overgrown landscaping) to our Facilities Team Lead at steven@austinchristianu.org.

• •

  ACU does not operate a sworn police department. Campus Security personnel are non-sworn security professionals.

• •

  Campus Security personnel are authorized to:

  • ◦

    Observe and report suspicious activity and policy violations.

  • ◦

    Request identification of individuals on university property.

  • ◦

    Enforce university policies and refer individuals to appropriate university officials for disciplinary action.

  • ◦

    Coordinate with local law enforcement and emergency services in response to criminal or emergency incidents.

• •

  Campus Security personnel do not possess general arrest powers. Arrests on campus are made by state or local law enforcement officers.

• •

  ACU maintains an active working relationship with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies as appropriate.

• •

  These agencies provide primary law enforcement services within and around ACU’s campus.

• •

  ACU cooperates fully with law enforcement investigations, including sharing information (consistent with FERPA and other privacy laws) and facilitating interviews on campus.

• •

  ACU does not currently have a formal written memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement; however, ACU maintains a cooperative working relationship with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and other relevant agencies.

ACU encourages all members of the campus community to report crimes, suspicious activity, and emergencies promptly and accurately to Campus Security and/or local law enforcement. This includes:

• •

  Immediate reporting of in-progress or recent crimes by calling 911.

• •

  Prompt reporting of non-emergency safety concerns to Campus Security.

• •

  Reporting by Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) designated by ACU (e.g., certain administrators, student services staff, and others with significant responsibility for student and campus activities).

Failure to report crimes limits ACU’s ability to respond, issue timely warnings when necessary, and accurately reflect campus safety conditions in published statistics.

ACU offers programs designed to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and practices and to encourage personal and community responsibility for safety. These may include:

• •

  New student orientation sessions addressing campus safety expectations and resources.

• •

  Annual employee training on emergency procedures and reporting obligations.

• •

  Periodic safety reminders delivered via email, the university website, and/or campus presentations.

ACU provides information and programming intended to help students and employees prevent crime, such as:

• •

  Educational materials on personal safety, situational awareness, and crime prevention strategies.

• •

  Reminders to secure personal belongings, lock vehicles, and report suspicious behavior.

• •

  Information about preventing theft, fraud, and online harassment.

• •

  ACU complies with all applicable state and local laws regarding the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages, including laws governing the minimum legal drinking age.

• •

  The possession, use, or distribution of alcohol on university property or as part of any university-sponsored activity is governed by ACU’s Alcohol Policy, available in the ACU Student Handbook.

• •

  Violations of alcohol policies may result in disciplinary action under student or employee conduct procedures and, in some cases, referral to law enforcement.

• •

  ACU prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances on university property or as part of any university activity.

• •

  ACU complies with federal and state drug laws, including the Controlled Substances Act and applicable state statutes.

• •

  Violations may result in disciplinary sanctions (up to and including suspension, expulsion, or termination of employment) and/or referral for criminal prosecution.

In accordance with federal requirements (including the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act), ACU provides information and programs regarding:

• •

  The health risks associated with the use of alcohol and illegal drugs.

• •

  University standards of conduct related to drugs and alcohol.

• •

  Available counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation programs.

• •

  Disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed for policy violations.

ACU has adopted procedures to immediately notify the campus community upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on campus, unless such notification would compromise efforts to contain the emergency.

Potential emergencies include, but are not limited to: severe weather, fire or explosion, hazardous material spills, active threat situations, and other events posing immediate danger.

Depending on the nature and scope of the incident, ACU may use one or more of the following methods to disseminate emergency notifications:

• •

  Mass text and/or email alerts to students, faculty, and staff.

• •

  University website and learning management system announcements.

• •

  Social media announcements via official ACU accounts.

• •

  Direct communication from university officials, residence life staff, or Campus Security.

• •

  ACU publicizes its emergency response and evacuation procedures at least annually through:

  • ◦

    Distribution of this Annual Security Report.

  • ◦

    Orientation sessions and training for new students and employees.

• •

  ACU conducts at least one test of its emergency response and/or evacuation procedures each calendar year. Tests may be announced or unannounced and may include fire drills, tabletop exercises, or full-scale simulations.

• •

  Each test is documented, including the date, time, nature of the exercise, and whether it was announced or unannounced.

ACU strictly prohibits hazing in any form. For purposes of university policy, hazing is defined as:

Any action or situation, whether occurring on or off campus, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or other person, or that involves the forced or coerced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances, for the purpose of initiation into, admission to, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization, team, or group, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

• •

  Physical brutality (e.g., beating, branding, forced calisthenics).

• •

  Activities that interfere with academic obligations or require sleep deprivation.

• •

  Degrading, humiliating, or abusive acts, including those of a sexual nature.

• •

  Forced or coerced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs.

• •

  Activities that violate law or university policy.

Any student, employee, or other individual who observes or experiences hazing should report it immediately to:

• •

  Campus Security at (512) 931-9717 or scotteberle@celebration.church.

• •

  The Dean of Students at (512) 579-9397 or avery@austinchristianu.org.

• •

  Local law enforcement by calling 911 in an emergency or (512) 930-3510 for non-emergency reports.

Reports may be submitted verbally or in writing. Retaliation against individuals who report hazing in good faith is strictly prohibited and constitutes a separate violation of university policy.

Upon receiving a report of hazing, ACU will:

• •

  Conduct a prompt, fair, and impartial inquiry or investigation.

• •

  Take reasonable measures to protect the safety and privacy of those involved to the extent possible.

• •

  Provide appropriate interim measures, which may include no-contact directives, temporary suspension of group activities, or other safeguards.

• •

  Determine whether hazing occurred based on the preponderance of the evidence standard (more likely than not).

• •

  Impose sanctions on responsible individuals and/or organizations, which may include disciplinary probation, suspension, expulsion, loss of recognition, or other corrective actions.

Hazing may constitute a criminal offense under applicable state and local laws. Penalties can include fines, community service, and/or incarceration, as well as potential civil liability.

ACU strongly encourages students and organizations to familiarize themselves with the hazing laws that apply in the jurisdiction where university activities occur. For detailed statutory language, consult:

• •

  Texas Education Code § 37.151–37.157 (defines hazing, prohibited acts, and penalties)

• •

  Texas Education Code § 51.936 (applies the hazing prohibitions to institutions of higher education)

ACU provides research-informed, campus-wide prevention and awareness programs for students, staff, and faculty that include:

• •

  Education on the definition of hazing and examples of prohibited conduct under university policy.

• •

  Information on applicable local, state, and tribal hazing laws.

• •

  Training on how to recognize warning signs of hazing and how to safely intervene as a bystander.

• •

  Resources for reporting hazing and seeking help.

These programs may be delivered through online modules, in-person workshops, orientation sessions, and targeted training for student leaders and advisors.

ACU’s primary prevention strategies are intended to stop hazing before it occurs and may include:

• •

  Bystander intervention skill-building: Training students and staff to recognize risky situations and intervene safely and effectively.

• •

  Ethical leadership development: Programs for student leaders that emphasize responsibility, integrity, and the creation of inclusive, supportive group cultures.

• •

  Alternative group cohesion activities: Promotion of team-building practices that foster belonging and unity without hazing (e.g., service projects, retreats, mentoring, shared leadership exercises).

This section provides statistics for the following categories of Clery-reportable incidents occurring on campus, in or on non-campus buildings or property, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus for:

• •

  The most recent calendar year (2026, Year 3) and the two preceding calendar years (2025, Year 2 and 2024, Year 1).

• •

  Incidents reported to Campus Security, other Campus Security Authorities, or local law enforcement.

ACU has confirmed with Campus Security and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office that no Clery-reportable crimes or incidents were reported for the locations and years covered by this report. All statistical tables below therefore reflect zero incidents.

Note: The absence of reported incidents does not guarantee that no crimes occurred; it reflects that no qualifying incidents were reported to campus or local authorities.

Number of incidents reported during each calendar year

• •

  Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter

• •

  Manslaughter by Negligence

• •

  Sex Offenses (rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape)

• •

  Robbery

• •

  Aggravated Assault

• •

  Burglary

• •

  Motor Vehicle Theft

• •

  Arson

Liquor Law Violations, Drug Law Violations, Weapons Law Violations

For each of the years covered in this report, ACU recorded no hate crimes involving:

• •

  Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter

• •

  Sex Offenses

• •

  Robbery

• •

  Aggravated Assault

• •

  Burglary

• •

  Motor Vehicle Theft

• •

  Arson

• •

  Larceny-Theft

• •

  Simple Assault

• •

  Intimidation

• •

  Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property

where the victim was intentionally selected because of actual or perceived race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, or disability.

For each of the years covered in this report, ACU recorded no incidents of:

• •

  Domestic Violence

• •

  Dating Violence

• •

  Stalking

that were reported to Campus Security, other Campus Security Authorities, or local law enforcement.

For each of the years covered in this report, ACU recorded no hazing incidents reported to Campus Security, other Campus Security Authorities, or local law enforcement.