Autumn Safety Message

OCTOBER 1, 2025

Dear Members of the University Community,

At the Department of Safety & Security (DSS), your safety is our top priority. As we start Autumn Quarter, I want to share important information on safety safety and safety-related resources at the University of Chicago.

  • Recent Safety Initiatives: The University has taken numerous steps in recent years to continue enhancing safety on and near campus, with input from campus and local communities. Recently completed safety initiatives, contributing to to measurable reductions in crime in our area, include:
    • A new Strategic Operations Center that strengthens information sharing, emergency communications, and video analysis to help solve crimes and support faster, safer, and more effective police response.
    • Expanded Safety Ambassador Program, providing highly visible security officers and "green light" vehicles in strategic campus and neighborhood locations.
    • Enhanced security technology in the University of Chicago Police Department's (UCPD) expanded patrol area, including 100 new cameras and license plate readers to help deter crime and aid investigations.
    • New transportation options, such as unlimited night rides for students through RideSmart by Via and a Downtown Campus Connector to improve connectivity between the University's Hyde Park and downtown Chicago locations. Visit our transportation webpage for a full list of options available to the University community. 
  • Crime Reduction: Continuing positive trends from 2024, we have seen a significant reduction in robberies within UCPD's patrol area through the first 9 months of 2025. This encouraging progress reflects the impact of recent safety initiatives, and DSS will continue to pursue further strategies to help keep our community safe.

  • Safety and Free Expression: Providing a safe environment on campus for dialogue, debate, and expression is part of our core values at the University of Chicago. Tragically, we have seen examples of violence on many campuses in recent years, including attacks on people expressing a range of viewpoints. It remains a top priority for the University to promote freedom of expression for members of our community and invited speakers while preserving a climate that protects the safety and security of those attending events. We have robust processes in place - through Deans on Call and UCPD - to promote a safe environment at events and minimize any disruption of speakers. We strongly encourage members of our community to engage with the appropriate University offices to notify us of your event so that an official event review can be conducted in order to plan accordingly. To notify us of your upcoming event and request a Dean on Call, visit this website. You can also request UCPD support at an event through this website.

  • Emergency Preparedness: Emergencies can happen at any time, and we want you to be prepared. This 7-minute video will help you understand what to do in the event of an emergency on campus and explains some of the instructions you may receive and actions you can take to enhance your safety.

  • cAlert System: The University’s cAlert system provides rapid emergency notifications and instructions via text message, email, and push notifications through the UChicago Safe mobile app. Students, faculty, other academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, staff, and other University affiliates are automatically enrolled to receive cAlerts. I recommend visiting the cAlert website to make sure your contact information and preferred device are up to date.
    • cAlert instructions during emergencies: Understanding common instructions given during emergencies can help you take swift and decisive action in challenging circumstances. You can review common cAlert instructions on the DSS website.
    • cAlert Test: DSS will perform a routine, scheduled cAlert test on Friday, October 10 at 10 a.m. At that time, you will receive a message marked “test,” to your University email address and via text to any preferred devices you have registered. There is no action required when you receive the test message.
  • Communication Resources: DSS provides multiple ways to stay informed about crimes that happen on and off campus. This map provides information about the boundaries for the various alerts and notifications the University sends.
    • Security Alerts are emailed notifications about significant on-campus crimes. Members of the University community are automatically enrolled to receive them; others can sign up. An archive of security alerts can be found on the DSS website.
    • Crime Notices are sent via push notifications on the UChicago Safe Mobile Safety App. They provide timely notices about certain violent crimes that occur off campus but within the University of Chicago Police Department’s (UCPD) extended patrol area. An archive of Crime Notices sent by DSS dating back to 2023 can be found on our website. For more information, visit the DSS website.
    • The Daily Crime Bulletin is an opt-in email delivered weekday mornings that provides information about serious crimes within the UCPD extended patrol area. Anyone in our campus and local communities can sign up to receive the bulletin.
    • Security Alerts and Crime Notices are also communicated through the UChicago Safe social media channels (Facebook, X, and Instagram). 
  • Additional Resources for the University Community: The following resources are available year-round.
    • UChicago Safe Mobile App: Features of the UChicago Safe mobile safety app include public safety contact information and the ability to send your location in real-time to a friend.
    • UGo Shuttles: UGo is the University's free shuttle service available to all members of the University community. Shuttles run day and night on campus, around Hyde Park, and to and from downtown Chicago. For more information about routes and timing, visit the Shuttle Service webpage.
    • RideSmart by Via: Through the University's on-demand rideshare program, students can book free rides on and around campus from 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., seven days a week. For the service area and other program details, visit the RideSmart webpage. You can watch this short video for instructions on how to sign up.  
    • Safety Escort Program: Members of the University community who are concerned about their safety for any reason as they walk within the UCPD’s patrol area can call 773.702.8181 to request a safety escort.
    • Safety Resources and Tips: The University’s safety resources webpage provides tips for staying safe in the city, around campus, where you live, and while using transportation.
    • Free Garage Parking After-Hours: Members of the University community with an active UChicago ID can park for free after hours at the Campus North garage and the Kimbark South garage if they enter between 5:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. and exit by 7:00 a.m., seven days a week. Use your ID card to enter and exit.
    • University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) Support Services: UCPD provides community support services including residential security assessments and victim and witness support services.
    • Public Safety Advisory Council: The Council is a mechanism to gather community input on issues impacting safety and security on and near campus. RSVP to attend their next meeting on October 15 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

If you have any questions or concerns about campus safety, contact our team. I wish you a safe and productive quarter.

Sincerely,

Eric M. Heath, Associate Vice President for Safety & Security

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