About Us
Department of Safety & Security
At the University of Chicago’s Department of Safety & Security (DSS), the safety of our students, employees, local residents, and visitors is our top priority. DSS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help keep you safe on and off campus. Below you will find information about the people of our department and the work we do.
CONNECT WITH US ANYTIMEMission Statement
The Department of Safety & Security is dedicated to promoting a safe and secure environment in which knowledge may be freely and rigorously pursued.
To achieve this mission, we call upon our collective skills and expertise to provide an integrated safety program through collaborative partnerships, while adhering to our core values of:
Respect - Engage members of the diverse community with dignity and compassion
Integrity - Perform our duties with an unwavering commitment to a code of honesty
Service - Serve with creativity and competence, and actively contribute to the well-being of our community through the understanding of its needs, values, and goals
Excellence - Strive for the highest of standards in our work every day
OUR UNITS
Campus Safety
The Campus Safety Division includes security and law enforcement systems, DSS and UCPD accountability, Clery compliance, oversight of the security services contracts, and security for the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Charter School campuses.
Emergency Management & Communications
The University’s Emergency Management program outlines strategies to protect the life safety of University students, faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and other academic appointees and to preserve University property and assets in the event of an emergency. Emergency Management also oversees the University's Emergency Communications Center.
Environmental Health and Safety
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) develops and coordinates the University’s safety and environmental programs. These programs cover areas such as industrial hygiene, fire safety, inspections, training, plan review, laser safety, environmental issues, ergonomics, and regulatory compliance.
Management Services
Functional areas such as finance, budget, procurement, payroll, and communications are housed within the Management Services unit. These functions support the entire department.
Transportation & Parking Services
Transportation & Parking Services helps members of the University community and University affiliates with their transit and parking needs on campus, in the neighboring communities, and in the greater Chicago area.
University of Chicago Police Department
The University of Chicago Police Department is a full-service police department patrolling and serving the UChicago campus and neighboring communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.