Reminders About Staying Safe on Campus This Year
Dear members of the Northwestern community,
To help keep you safe this academic year, we’re sharing our annual safety reminders and resource links. Please read this entire message to ensure you understand your safety resources for whenever you may need them.
Update your emergency contact information
Faculty, staff and students automatically receive emergency notices (AlertNU) via email. However, in a campus emergency, a text is likely the quickest way for the University to reach you.
Please note: Northwestern will conduct a campuswide AlertNU test at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, via text, email and phone. The test alert also will be posted on Northwestern’s X (formerly Twitter) account @NorthwesternU. The University will send a follow-up message to remind you of this system test.
To make sure your information is correct and we can reach you by text or phone, please check your contact details in our emergency notification system, Rave, using the online instructions. This update takes just a couple of minutes.
Emergency procedures guide
Review our one-page emergency guide for instructions on what to do in a variety of situations. We recommend that you screenshot or save it to your phone, download it on your computer or consider posting it in common spaces.
Important safety reminders
Safety is a shared responsibility, and you can make the difference. Be mindful of yourself, look out for those around you, and be aware of your surroundings. This reduces opportunities for crime to occur.
Safety tips:
- Consider adding the NUPD telephone number (847-491-3456 in Evanston or 312-503-3456 in Chicago) to your phone’s contacts to reach University Police or call 911 to report emergencies, crimes or suspicious circumstances.
- Remain alert at all times while riding your bicycle or scooter and help keep your bicycle or scooter secure. Register your bike and receive a free helmet and light. Check out our bike resources, including details on how to purchase a bike lock. Use a high-quality rigid lock rather than a cable lock. And, be sure to secure the frame to the bike rack, rather than solely the handlebars or wheels, to better deter theft.
- Don’t leave your belongings unattended. The most common campus crime is property theft of items such as wallets, laptops and cell phones.
- Always carry your Wildcard and be alert when entering buildings. Exterior doors should never be propped open. Learn more about building access and hours.
- Be aware of phishing attempts meant to defraud you. Learn how to protect yourself.
Safety and wellness resources
Here are some of the resources available on campus if you need help or are in a crisis.
- NUhelp – for students navigating Northwestern’s safety, crisis and wellness resources; view a summary roadmap of your options
- NUGuardian – a free app for students to enhance their personal safety by designating phone contacts as “guardians” who walk (virtually) with them
- Safe Ride – free car rides for students at night to avoid walking alone in Evanston after dark
- Free shuttles – free routes for the entire Northwestern community that run into the late evening on the Evanston and Chicago campuses
Report concerns
If you see something, say something. We have a range of confidential and/or anonymous ways to share a concern.
- Wildcats Aware Reporting Form – reporting tool if you know of someone displaying threatening behavior
- EthicsPoint – confidential reporting tool to report fraud, abuse and other wrongful activity in our community
- Report a Concern – find the best place at Northwestern to share information about a concern, ranging from policy violations to safety issues
The Department of Safety and Security works around the clock to support your safety and well-being. Please visit our website, which details all of our services to the University community.