The University of Michigan is well equipped to help our community stay safe. In fact, staff in the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) work day and night to keep students and the broader community safe, and to foster the campus' friendly feel.
For students, the most visible part of DPSS is probably officers from the U-M Police Department (UMPD) and Housing Security who patrol in residence halls, around apartments and throughout campus. Officers respond to calls for service and connect with students to discuss personal safety and community needs.
Our campus also has more than 100 blue light emergency phones, plus emergency phones in elevators and parking structures. These direct lines automatically indicate the caller’s location to UMPD so officers can respond.
Because safety is everyone’s responsibility, we encourage you to consider these tips (also available in the DPSS Be Smart video):
- Lock windows and doors when leaving your room or apartment even for a moment.
- Walk or park in well-lit areas; call a friend before you leave to let them know when to expect you.
- Walk with a friend or in a group when out at night.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and trust your intuition if it feels unsafe.
- Unplug your earphones/earbuds when walking around campus, because they can keep you from hearing cars on the road or someone approaching.
- If you have a cell phone, carry it with you when travelling.
- Call 9-1-1 if you see suspicious behavior or are in danger.
- Use Safe Ride if you need transport to a vehicle or residence near or on campus. See also Night Rides Keep Students Safe and Warm.
- Take advantage of U-M's new Safe-Exchange Zone, a secure place for the campus community to trade legal items, including internet sales, or conduct child custody exchanges
You may also want to review these safety tips:
- Register bikes, computers and personal electronics directly with UMPD
- Sign up for U-M Emergency Alerts, an automated emergency alert system which notifies students, faculty and staff of campus emergencies via voicemail, text messages and email
- Designate emergency contacts such as parent(s) in Wolverine Access
Want to learn more about safety at U-M? You can review information and resources in the Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report, which is updated and published each October. You may also contact DPSS at 734-763-8391 or visit the DPSS website.
Contributed by Mallory Martin-Ferguson, Associate Director Housing Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution