Emergency Notification

In case of campus emergencies, the University uses multiple communications to notify the campus community, including tone alert radios, on-the-ground public safety personnel, e-mail, the University home page (www.umn.edu) and TXT-U. TXT-U is the University of Minnesota’s emergency notification text messaging system.

Although only University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff can register for TXT-U, students can sign up parents, other family members, or friends by designating more than one mobile device to their account. For information on how students can sign up for TXT-U and add parents’ cell phone numbers, see www.umn.edu/prepared/txtu/.

Campus Safety and Security Tips

The Twin Cities campus is among the safest college campuses in the country. Parking facilities, skyways, and tunnels are monitored 24 hours a day with the aid of security cameras and security monitors. Alarm buttons and emergency phones are located around campus. However, safety is everyone’s responsibility. Here are nine tips to help keep your student's experience at the University of Minnesota as safe as possible:

1. To report an emergency: Dial 9-1-1
   
   
2. For non-emergency or general information, the University of Minnesota Police Department can be reached at 612-624-COPS.
   
   
3. Campus Security Monitors and Escorts: 612-624-WALK. The Security Monitor Program offers a walking/biking escort service to and from campus locations and nearby adjacent neighborhoods. This service is available completely free to students, staff, faculty, and visitors to the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus. To request an escort from a trained student security monitor, please call 624-WALK shortly before your desired departure time and walk safe.
   
   
4. When walking, biking, or running on the university campus, please take into account the following safety tips:
• At night, walk with a friend if possible. If you have no one to walk with, call the University's campus escort service at 624-WALK.
• Avoid shortcuts. Take well-traveled and well-lit walkways.
• Be alert and aware of the people and environment around you.
• Trust your instincts. If someone makes you uncomfortable, even in daylight, do what is necessary to move away from them.
• If you feel that someone is following you, go immediately to a nearby location where there are more people.
• Know the locations of the special 'Code Blue' emergency phones on campus (see below). Please call the University Police at 624-3550 to find out campus locations.
  
  
5. Code Blue Phones: If you are in need of emergency assistance, the Code Blue Emergency Phone will provide instant two-way communication with University Police with the push of one button. Located throughout the Minneapolis and St. Paul Campuses, they are all equipped with a lighted faceplate, a Code Blue Beacon and a high-powered strobe. You can call 624-COPS (2677) or maps for the Code Blue Emergency Phones can be found at www.umn.edu/dcs/codebluephones.html.
   
   
6. When driving and parking on the university campus, please take into account the following safety tips:
• Keep your vehicle locked at all times when it's parked AND when you are driving it. Keep the windows rolled up high enough so that an intruder cannot reach inside.
• When you return to your vehicle, look around it and inside it before you get in.
• Keep your vehicle well maintained. Make sure you have enough gasoline to reach your destination.
• If you will be returning to your vehicle at night, park in a place that will be well lit when you return.
• If your vehicle breaks down, remain inside it with the doors locked. If anyone stops to help, ask them to go call a tow truck or the police for you.
• NEVER pick up hitchhikers. This is extremely dangerous.
• Keep valuables (CDs, tapes, purses, briefcases, etc.) out of sight. Lock bags and packages in the car's trunk.
  
  
7. University of Minnesota crime statistics are public information, and are available at: www1.umn.edu/police/csa-statistics.html.
   
   
8. Anonymous tip line: Call 612-626-TIPS (8477) and leave a message with the necessary info.
   
   
9. The University’s Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education provides crisis intervention and advocacy services to victim/survivors of sexual and relationship violence, harassment and stalking. Their 24-hour crisis line is: 612-626-9111, and their Web site is: www.umn.edu/aurora.

• When walking, look confident. Keep your head up and be alert. Pay attention to what is going on around you.


• Choose busy streets and avoid areas where there are places for people to hide.


• Do not flash your cash.


• At night, stick to well-lighted areas.


• Walk with a friend or group when out after dark.


• Know what stores, restaurants, etc. are open late in case you need to get help.


• Carry your purse close to your side-but re-evaluate if you really need to carry one. Don't carry valuables or money you won't need. Carry wallets in a front pants pocket or an inside jacket pocket.


• Understand that you can call 911 at any time, free of charge from any pay phone.


• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in any place or situation, leave immediately.


• If you are being followed by someone in a car, turn around and walk quickly to someplace where there are other people.

• Look at the attacker carefully so you can give a good description to police. Key things to remember are age, race, complexion, clothing, height, weight, hair, eyes, and markings such as scars and tattoos. If a vehicle is involved, note the color, size, make, license number, dents or other distinct features.


• If attacker has a weapon and wants your money or possessions, don't fight back. Your life and safety are much, much more important.

Students and Alcohol: A Guide for Parents

• A Message to Parents
  
• Talk
  
• Facts
  
• Resources
  
• Support

Understanding Today's Students

Understanding today's students offers advice and links to University services and resources designed to help students with personal challenges, issues, and concerns.




Links Related to Health and Safety

Boynton Health Service—Boynton Health Service provides medical care, health education, and wellness workshops for students.

University Counseling & Consulting—Personal and group counseling, advice on career development, and assistance with time management and study skills are avialable through University Counseling & Consulting.

Student Mental Health—A Web resource with information on crisis and urgent consultation as well as alcohol resources, counseling, disability accommodations, mental health screening, stress management, and more.

E-CHUG—A brief, anonymous online alcohol assessment and feedback tool for college students, is available to students through University Counseling & Consulting Services and Boynton Health Service.

Online communities—Frequently asked questions about Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

Disability Services—The Disability Services office ensures access and opportunities for all.

University Police—The University Police Department serves the campus community to create a safe environment to learn, live, work, and visit.

Campus Escort Service—The Campus Security Monitor Service offers a walking/biking escort service to and from campus locations and nearby adjacent neighborhoods.

Emergency Preparedness—This Web site helps you and your student understand how you will be notified and what to do during an emergency.

Recreational Sports—Student stay in shape with workouts, programs, and team sports at University Recreational Sports.

The Aurora Center for Advocacy & Education (formerly the Program Against Sexual Violence).

Drug-Free Campus and Workplace Compliance—The University's policy associated with the use of drugs and alcohol.

Eating Disorder Information

The Attorney General of Minnesota provides student-specific information on consumer protection.

• hospitals and clinics;


• health information and resources (student health service and insurance);


• health and wellness (immunizations, alcohol and drug programs, sports clubs and fitness programs);


• campus safety and assistance.

Past Articles of Interest

Walking the fine line: When does parent involvement become parent interference?

Keeping identity theft at bay
People aged 18 to 29 are the group most commonly victimized by identity theft.

Breaking through the walls of depression and anxiety—Winter 2006
Finding ways to support and help students experiencing depression and anxiety is one of the more difficult challenges facing parents.

Stage I strategies—Spring 2006
A continuation of "Breaking through the walls of depression and anxiety."

Parents influence the decisions students make—Orientation 2004

Taking risks: students say it's how they learn their limits—Winter 2004

Parents and safety concerns about study abroad—Winter 2002

A question for 'U'—Spring 2001
Q: My son was due to graduate this spring, but now he says he won't have his senior paper done. He has been stressed over this paper all year, and he seems to think that he just can't get it right. Is there somewhere he can get help with this?