Campus Alert Archive
Tennessee

Attempted burglary damages a residence-hall door before officers arrive

AI-generated · every claim is source-linked
TNburglarytimely warninghigh confidence
Compare →

A Clery safety notice said officers responded at about 1:00 a.m. to Volunteer Hall, where someone had tried to enter a room and damaged the doorframe, then left before officers arrived.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Public R1 · TN
All Tennessee cases →
~36,000 studentsUT Alert
Official alert policy
Read when and how Tennessee says it will use UT Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTWebsite
Verified verbatim2157 chars
Safety Notice This Safety Notice is being sent in compliance with the Clery Act. In an effort to promote campus safety and provide timely information to our campus community, the following information is being provided so that you can make informed decisions about your safety. On September 25, 2026, at approximately 1:00am, UTPD responded to an incident in Volunteer Hall, where residents reported someone trying to enter their door. The doorframe was damaged, and the suspect(s) left the scene before officers arrived. This meets the Clery definition of attempted burglary, in addition to vandalism. UTPD is actively investigating the incident. For more information about UT's compliance with the Clery Act visit our website at clery.utk.edu. Community: Safety + Prevention Preventing crimes and ensuring the safety of our community members are one of the top priorities of the University of Tennessee. Please review the following for prevention of similar crimes or visit our website for a full list of safety tips. Do not allow others to enter behind you after you swipe in. Do not hold doors for anyone that you do not know. Keep your residence room locked at all times. Sign up for UT Alerts to be sent to your phone by providing your cell number. Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately, by calling 911. Resources: The University of Tennessee takes all reports seriously and works to connect community members with support, resources, and processes. In an emergency, call 911 or UTPD at 865-974-3111 Download the Safe at UT app to speak directly to UTPD via emergency call or text Reports of suspicious activity or non-emergency crimes can be made to UT Police Department’s non-emergency number: 865-974-3114 For non-emergency reports outside of UTPD, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 865-974-3179 or use their online reporting forms. The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires universities to notify their community about potential serious or on-going threats to campus. For more information about Clery Compliance, visit the Clery Website. Contact Us Clery Compliance Website: clery.utk.edu Email: clery@utk.edu
Verify this quote
UT Knoxville Clery safety notice PDFclery.utk.edufind archived copies
Two independent reads of the PDF on 2026-10-04. Text sha256 a45e6ce94e7ef2d7c0ca8ec54e12952e0973f12f44d88b30cabbc146ca80e1aa. PDF bytes sha256 0d61fe0c0c39e5e6bf6bd70b947a2c6a018d05c91ddad8c8c781441baee1696e.
PDF creation time 2026-09-25T20:36:03Z, recorded as 4:36:03 p.m. Eastern. The notice says the incident was at about 1:00 a.m. the same date. Distinct from the August 28 fraternity-house safety notice.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, SuperGrok Heavy 4.5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Safety Notice This Safety Notice is being sent in compliance with the Clery Act. In an effort to promote campus safety and provide timely information to our campus community, the following information is being provided so that you can make informed decisions about your safety. On September 25, 2026, at approximately 1:00am, UTPD responded to an incident in Volunteer Hall, where residents reported someone trying to enter their door. The doorframe was damaged, and the suspect(s) left the scene before officers arrived. This meets the Clery definition of attempted burglary, in addition to vandalism. UTPD is actively investigating the incident. For more information about UT's compliance with the Clery Act visit our website at clery.utk.edu. Community: Safety + Prevention Preventing crimes and ensuring the safety of our community members are one of the top priorities of the University of Tennessee. Please review the following for prevention of similar crimes or visit our website for a full list of safety tips. Do not allow others to enter behind you after you swipe in. Do not hold doors for anyone that you do not know. Keep your residence room locked at all times. Sign up for UT Alerts to be sent to your phone by providing your cell number. Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately, by calling 911. Resources: The University of Tennessee takes all reports seriously and works to connect community members with support, resources, and processes. In an emergency, call 911 or UTPD at 865-974-3111 Download the Safe at UT app to speak directly to UTPD via emergency call or text Reports of suspicious activity or non-emergency crimes can be made to UT Police Department’s non-emergency number: 865-974-3114 For non-emergency reports outside of UTPD, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 865-974-3179 or use their online reporting forms. The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires universities to notify their community about potential serious or on-going threats to campus. For more information about Clery Compliance, visit the Clery Website. Contact Us Clery Compliance Website: clery.utk.edu Email: clery@utk.edu

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Source is present, 25 of 25. The notice names the university police as the sender.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: After: Source is present.
    2. present: Because: Source is present.
    3. present: Reading: Source is present.
    4. present: Here: Source is present.
    5. present: The: Source is present.
    6. present: Quoted: Source is present.
    7. present: Seeing: Source is present.
    8. present: Checking: Source is present.
    9. present: Noting: Source is present.
    10. present: From: Source is present.
    11. present: Inside: Source is present.
    12. present: Upon: Source is present.
    13. present: Given: Source is present.
    14. present: Where: Source is present.
    15. present: Since: Source is present.
    16. present: Looking: Source is present.
    17. present: Finding: Source is present.
    18. present: Judging: Source is present.
    19. present: Against: Source is present.
    20. present: Within: Source is present.
    21. present: Across: Source is present.
    22. present: Under: Source is present.
    23. present: Following: Source is present.
    24. present: Considering: Source is present.
    25. present: Scanning: Source is present.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Hazard is present, 25 of 25. "attempted burglary" names the hazard.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: After: Hazard is present.
    2. present: Because: Hazard is present.
    3. present: Reading: Hazard is present.
    4. present: Here: Hazard is present.
    5. present: The: Hazard is present.
    6. present: Quoted: Hazard is present.
    7. present: Seeing: Hazard is present.
    8. present: Checking: Hazard is present.
    9. present: Noting: Hazard is present.
    10. present: From: Hazard is present.
    11. present: Inside: Hazard is present.
    12. present: Upon: Hazard is present.
    13. present: Given: Hazard is present.
    14. present: Where: Hazard is present.
    15. present: Since: Hazard is present.
    16. present: Looking: Hazard is present.
    17. present: Finding: Hazard is present.
    18. present: Judging: Hazard is present.
    19. present: Against: Hazard is present.
    20. present: Within: Hazard is present.
    21. present: Across: Hazard is present.
    22. present: Under: Hazard is present.
    23. present: Following: Hazard is present.
    24. present: Considering: Hazard is present.
    25. present: Scanning: Hazard is present.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Location is present, 25 of 25. "Volunteer Hall" names the place.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: After: Location is present.
    2. present: Because: Location is present.
    3. present: Reading: Location is present.
    4. present: Here: Location is present.
    5. present: The: Location is present.
    6. present: Quoted: Location is present.
    7. present: Seeing: Location is present.
    8. present: Checking: Location is present.
    9. present: Noting: Location is present.
    10. present: From: Location is present.
    11. present: Inside: Location is present.
    12. present: Upon: Location is present.
    13. present: Given: Location is present.
    14. present: Where: Location is present.
    15. present: Since: Location is present.
    16. present: Looking: Location is present.
    17. present: Finding: Location is present.
    18. present: Judging: Location is present.
    19. present: Against: Location is present.
    20. present: Within: Location is present.
    21. present: Across: Location is present.
    22. present: Under: Location is present.
    23. present: Following: Location is present.
    24. present: Considering: Location is present.
    25. present: Scanning: Location is present.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Guidance is present, 25 of 25. The notice tells recipients what to do, including how to report.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: After: Guidance is present.
    2. present: Because: Guidance is present.
    3. present: Reading: Guidance is present.
    4. present: Here: Guidance is present.
    5. present: The: Guidance is present.
    6. present: Quoted: Guidance is present.
    7. present: Seeing: Guidance is present.
    8. present: Checking: Guidance is present.
    9. present: Noting: Guidance is present.
    10. present: From: Guidance is present.
    11. present: Inside: Guidance is present.
    12. present: Upon: Guidance is present.
    13. present: Given: Guidance is present.
    14. present: Where: Guidance is present.
    15. present: Since: Guidance is present.
    16. present: Looking: Guidance is present.
    17. present: Finding: Guidance is present.
    18. present: Judging: Guidance is present.
    19. present: Against: Guidance is present.
    20. present: Within: Guidance is present.
    21. present: Across: Guidance is present.
    22. present: Under: Guidance is present.
    23. present: Following: Guidance is present.
    24. present: Considering: Guidance is present.
    25. present: Scanning: Guidance is present.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Time is present, 25 of 25. The notice gives a clock time for the response.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: After: Time is present.
    2. present: Because: Time is present.
    3. present: Reading: Time is present.
    4. present: Here: Time is present.
    5. present: The: Time is present.
    6. present: Quoted: Time is present.
    7. present: Seeing: Time is present.
    8. present: Checking: Time is present.
    9. present: Noting: Time is present.
    10. present: From: Time is present.
    11. present: Inside: Time is present.
    12. present: Upon: Time is present.
    13. present: Given: Time is present.
    14. present: Where: Time is present.
    15. present: Since: Time is present.
    16. present: Looking: Time is present.
    17. present: Finding: Time is present.
    18. present: Judging: Time is present.
    19. present: Against: Time is present.
    20. present: Within: Time is present.
    21. present: Across: Time is present.
    22. present: Under: Time is present.
    23. present: Following: Time is present.
    24. present: Considering: Time is present.
    25. present: Scanning: Time is present.
  • Impactpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Impact is present, 25 of 25. Damage to the door states harm to property.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: After: Impact is present.
    2. present: Because: Impact is present.
    3. present: Reading: Impact is present.
    4. present: Here: Impact is present.
    5. present: The: Impact is present.
    6. present: Quoted: Impact is present.
    7. present: Seeing: Impact is present.
    8. present: Checking: Impact is present.
    9. present: Noting: Impact is present.
    10. present: From: Impact is present.
    11. present: Inside: Impact is present.
    12. present: Upon: Impact is present.
    13. present: Given: Impact is present.
    14. present: Where: Impact is present.
    15. present: Since: Impact is present.
    16. present: Looking: Impact is present.
    17. present: Finding: Impact is present.
    18. present: Judging: Impact is present.
    19. present: Against: Impact is present.
    20. present: Within: Impact is present.
    21. present: Across: Impact is present.
    22. present: Under: Impact is present.
    23. present: Following: Impact is present.
    24. present: Considering: Impact is present.
    25. present: Scanning: Impact is present.

Coded by SuperGrok Heavy 4.5

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

The notice is linked from the UT Knoxville safety-notices index as a burglary at Volunteer Hall.
Analysis

Key Findings

The notice calls the incident an attempted burglary and vandalism. The suspect or suspects left before officers arrived.
Outcome
The suspect or suspects were gone when officers arrived. The notice says the investigation was active.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    UT Knoxville Clery safety notice, Volunteer Hall
    clery.utk.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Attempted burglary damages a residence-hall door before officers arrive." Incident of September 25, 2026. Added October 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/university-of-tennessee-knoxville-volunteer-hall-attempted-burglary-2026-09-25/

Download case JSON

Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
public-r1tennesseeutk
Added October 2026Updated October 2026Via ingestion