Campus Safety Resources and Reminders
Dear members of the Northwestern community,
Our highest priority is your safety. This email has key resources and tips for your safety and well-being this academic year. We recommend saving this email in case you ever need it.
Update your emergency contact information
Sign up for text messages in an emergency. Seconds count in a crisis! Your Northwestern email is automatically enrolled, but your cellphone is not.
Enroll for texts, and check your emergency contact info using these instructions. This takes just a couple of minutes.
Please note: Northwestern will conduct an AlertNU test at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, via text, email and phone.
Emergency guide
Review our one-page emergency guide for instructions on what to do in a variety of situations. Screenshot or save it to your phone in case you ever need it.
Important safety reminders
Safety is a shared responsibility, and you can make a 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:
- Save the University Police number in your phone (847-491-3456 in Evanston or 312-503-3456 in Chicago) or call 911 to report emergencies, crimes or suspicious circumstances.
- Don’t leave your belongings unattended. The most common campus crime is theft of wallets, laptops and cellphones.
- Always carry your Wildcard. Exterior doors should never be propped open. Learn more about building access and hours.
Bike/scooter safety:
- Always remain alert while riding your bike or scooter.
- Check out our bike resources, including registering your bike to get a free helmet and light.
- Use a high-quality rigid lock instead of a cable lock. Secure the bike frame to a rack, not just the handlebars or wheels, to better deter theft.
Safety and wellness resources
Here are some of the resources available if you need help or are in a crisis.
- NUhelp – a resource for students navigating our wellness, safety and crisis resources; see this one-page summary of your many options
- NUGuardian – a free app for students to designate phone contacts as “guardians” who walk (virtually) with them
- Safe Ride – free car rides for students who are walking alone in Evanston after dark
- Free shuttles – free routes that run into the late evening on the Evanston and Chicago campuses
Report concerns
If you see something, say something. We have many confidential and/or anonymous ways to share a concern.
- Report a Concern – find the best place to share information about a concern
- Wildcats Aware Reporting Form – report if you know someone displaying threatening behavior
- EthicsPoint – confidential reports for fraud, abuse and other wrongful activity in our community
The Department of Safety and Security works around the clock every day of the year to support your safety and well-being. Please visit our website for further information on our services.