Spring Safety Message

MARCH 21, 2023

To: Members of the University Community
From: Eric Heath, Associate Vice President for Safety and Security
Subject: Spring Safety Message
Date: March 21, 2023

With Spring Quarter underway, I write to share important information on emergency preparedness, pedestrian safety, safety resources, and additional efforts the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) is taking to promote safety in our community.

Safety information
  • Emergency Preparedness: If an emergency – such as extreme weather, serious fire, or an armed intruder – takes place on any of the University’s campuses, we will send an emergency communication (a cAlert for incidents affecting our Chicago campuses), that briefly describes the situation and provides safety guidance or instructions. Emergencies can happen quickly and are, by nature, unpredictable. Please take a moment to review these common cAlert instructions for campus emergencies, which will help you understand what actions to take if an emergency happens. I also recommend following the UChicago Safe social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), which also will serve as primary communication mechanisms during emergencies.

  • Pedestrian Safety:The University has designated the week of March 20 as Pedestrian Safety Week in response to recent incidents of pedestrians being struck by cars near campus. We are taking a number of actions to raise awareness of the issue, including installing sets of orange flags on a trial basis at crossing areas on the Midway Plaisance. We invite you to hold these flags while crossing the street so you are more visible to oncoming traffic. Pedestrian flags have effectively highlighted pedestrian safety at other universities and cities across the country. The University is also working with the City of Chicago, which makes final decisions related to road infrastructure, on potential infrastructure changes to further enhance pedestrian safety.

    We have also published a safety guide, based on tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with simple recommendations to stay safe while walking (and driving). The guide stresses the importance of being aware of your surroundings at all times. You will see additional communications on this issue throughout the quarter.

  • Safety update: With warmer weather on the way and outside activities increasing, please take a moment to review our tips for staying safe in an urban environment. As part of our safety-related efforts over the past year, DSS has hired additional University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) sworn officers and other safety personnel. We continue to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve the University community and UCPD’s extended patrol area.

Continued Safety Resources
The University offers a wide range of safety-related resources, including:

We value your feedback as we continue to enhance our safety programs. Contact our team with any questions or suggestions. I wish you a safe and productive Spring Quarter.

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