About

Safety & Security

The protection, safety, and well-being of our K-12 students are foundational objectives for our school and crucial to our success as an educational institution. Among the very best in the country, University School of Nashville stands out for its unparalleled commitment to excellence, social justice, expression, and community care in an inclusive and welcoming environment that fosters a sense of belonging for each student. Every single person who walks through the hallways of USN deserves to feel supported and heard. 
Reporting Misconduct
Misconduct may include bias, hazing, harassment, bullying, violence, discrimination, macroaggression, microaggression, sexual misconduct, and retaliation. The reporting options below give members of the USN community an opportunity to share important information directly with school administrators and a third party. If the situation is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Campus Security
USN has contracted the Vanderbilt University Police Department to provide campus security and oversee the school’s comprehensive physical security plan as well as training for faculty, staff, and K-12 students. VUPD is a law enforcement agency accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, and the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. VUPD employs approximately 100 sworn police officers commissioned and empowered with the same authority to enforce laws as any other law enforcement agency and operates through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.  VUPD also has access to USN’s cameras and the ability to lock exterior doors remotely in the event of an emergency.
USN has two VUPD School Resource Officers, police officers who are certified through the National Association of School Resource Officers and provide emergency response, safety training, traffic direction, and patrol functions. USN also contracts five VUPD Community Service Officers, non-sworn security officers who focus on observing & reporting and also have a strong customer service aspect to their position. This team services both our Edgehill Campus as well as the River Campus. These commissioned police officers and security officers establish relationships with students through activities such as reading to Lower Schoolers in Hassenfeld library, accompanying Middle Schoolers on a ride around Vanderbilt University’s campus on bikes students refurbished in art class, and speaking at High School assemblies. 
Quickly share anything that makes you feel uncomfortable with one of our VUPD officers in USN’s Office of Safety and Security by calling 615-277-2380, visiting their office in Gordon Wing room 1211, or stopping by the 19th Avenue lobby receptionist desk. Also save the non-emergency number for VUPD Dispatch in your cell phone: 615-322-2745.

Resources

List of 3 items.

  • For Students & Alumni

    You are not alone. All students deserve to feel safe and supported by the school and their peers when reporting misconduct. To make such a report, or to support a friend who wishes to report, students should contact any trusted adult at USN. USN has four in-house counselors to support students on a daily basis:

    There are several resources available to students seeking help.
    • Students in Grades 5-12 have access to the Counseling Group Page, offering support services, parent education workshops, and session scheduling for students and parents. Students also have access to resources through the Student Mental Health Coalition.
    • The Nashville community also offers several local resources that are separate from the school but still available to all community members:
      • National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 800-656-4673 (please note that this is often not the best in times of crisis due to a long waiting time)
      • RAINN Chat Service
      • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
      • Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
      • Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
    Read More

  • For Parents & Families

    This has been a difficult time for our whole community, and especially for our students. Our commitment to protecting the safety and securing the well-being of your children remains strong, and your feedback is incredibly important to us.

    USN's Counseling Department, in support of our school’s mission,  delivers a comprehensive K-12 school counseling program that provides equitable services for all students, with mental health and well-being as the core element of educational success. Parents and families have access to the Counseling Group Page, which offers support services, events, and session scheduling for students and parents. Click the topics tab at the top of the Resource Board to view parent education workshops as well as suggested books, articles, videos, podcasts, and more. We also encourage your students to access resources available to them through the Student Mental Health Coalition.

    To learn more about supporting your child with sensitive topics such as sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, and grooming, please reach out to the Counseling Department, which includes four in-house counselors to support students on a daily basis:
    Read More

  • For Faculty & Staff

    USN faculty and staff are all encouraged to review the Employee Handbook to ensure that their practices fall in line with USN policies. If you have questions regarding these policies, please contact your Division Head, Office Director, or the Human Resources Director.

    All school employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program, which is a free and confidential counseling and assistance service. To access it, faculty and staff should log into usn.org and visit the Human Resources Board or see page 13 of the school's Benefits Guide.
    Read More

USN Safety & Security Team

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of Anthony Jones

    Anthony Jones 

    USN Director of Safety & Security, VUPD Sergeant, School Resource Officer
    At USN since: 2023
  • Photo of Robert Gibson

    Robert Gibson 

    VUPD Corporal, USN School Resource Officer
    At USN since: 2023
  • Photo of Lakeith Washum

    Lakeith Washum 

    Community Service Officer
    Bethel University - Bachelor of Science Criminial Justice
    At USN since: 2023
  • Photo of Rochelle Law-Wagener

    Rochelle Law-Wagener 

    Community Service Officer
    At USN since: 2023
  • Photo of Jason Cathey

    Jason Cathey 

    Community Service Officer
    Hillsboro High School - diploma
    At USN since: 2025
  • Photo of Latisha Nesby

    Latisha Nesby 

    Community Service Officer
    Lexington High School - Diploma
    At USN since: 2025
  • Photo of Mikayla Taylor

    Mikayla Taylor 

    At USN since: 2026

Investigation Response

Learn more about USN’s 2024 investigations into misconduct and existing comprehensive approach to supporting the safety and well-being of our students and alumni here. 

Since the release of the key factual findings in early 2025, USN has continued to focus efforts on supporting alumni and students, enhancing student programming, improving Board, faculty, and staff training, and refining policies, as recommended by investigators and consultants.

Contact USN

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Quick Links

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.