Safety tools available on campus
Emergency Notification System Heading link
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Digital Media
-UIC homepage (www.uic.edu)
-UIC emergency information website (emergency.uic.edu)
-Emails to all @uic.edu accounts.
-Twitter account (@UICReady and @UICNews)
-UIC desktop alerts
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Mobile phone text messages
UIC ALERT is an optional free service that allows UIC officials to send text messages to your mobile phone or any text message capable device in the case of a campus emergency.
SIGN UP or update your information using your Net ID and password. List up to 5 devices (email and sms texts).
If the webpage displays a search bar, type in “University of Illinois Chicago” and click the green “continue” button.
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Electronic message boards
Electronic message boards in available classroom and campus spaces.
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Emergency Callboxes and Blue Light Poles
(Rath Security Emergency Blue Light Poles)
Emergency blue light call boxes on campus will provide immediate access to the UIC Police Department. Press the call button on the unit to call for assistance. Any person on the campus who feels threatened can use the system.
Look for the location of your nearest emergency call box.
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Sound alerts
Campus sirens and loudspeakers.
Buildings have at least one device (a receiver, transmitter and blue strobe light for ADA compliance) which can emit a variety of sirens and pre-recorded messages.
Verify/Update info to Receive UIC ALERT
Transit and Transportation Services Heading link
Walking Safety Escort
Walking Safety Escort is a free walking escort service provided by trained Student Patrol officers supervised by UIC Police Department, serving university students and employees so no one has to travel alone at night on and around campus.
By walking in groups, campus community members reduce their risk of being targeted by a criminal.
Escorts should be requested 10 to 15 minutes before you want to leave to allow for proper availability of security personnel.
- Available: 24/7 (24 hours, 7 days per week)
- To schedule a Walking Safety Escort, please call: (312) 996-2830
UIC Police Virtual Escort
Download the UIC SAFE app and ask UIC Police to virtually walk with you when coming to, or from, class, home or simply walking across campus to get your car.
Provide the cellphone number of your devise and a personal safe word. In case of an emergency, the one-touch button will notify the dispatchers with your latest GPS location and, if necessary, the calling function of your device will allow you to call UIC Police.
*To use this feature, you must enable Location Services on your phone
Friend Virtual Walk
Download the UIC SAFE app and ask anyone on your contact list to virtually walk with you when coming to, or from, class, home or simply walking across campus to get your car.
In case of an emergency, the one-touch button will notify your friend with your latest GPS location.
*To use this feature, you must enable Location Services on your phone
Night Ride
On-call* Transportation service operating during evenings to provide a safe after-hours transit option.
- Available: 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, 7 days per week
- Call: (312) 996-6800
- E-mail rides@uic.edu
Before riding the Night Ride, please download and create an account on UIC Ride. The Night Ride uses and provides real-time tracking through the app.
Paratransit & ADA Services
Campus wide paratransit services and ADA compliant intracampus bus routes assist in providing barrier-free travel to UIC students and staff.
- Available: 24/7 (24 hours, 7 days per week)
Call: (312) 996-2842 for paratransit services between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM
Call: (312) 996-6800 for paratransit services between 11:00 PM and 11:00 AM
Library Shuttle Service
Dedicated shuttle servicing the Daley Library during academic semesters, departing every 30 minutes.
- Available: 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Transit & Transportation Coverage Area
Requesting a Night Ride? Download the UIC Ride App
Added safety tools Heading link
Bicycle and Scooter Registration
All students, staff and faculty at UIC are asked to register their bicycles or electric scooters with the UIC Police Department. Information collected during the registration process is entered into a database and used to identify the bicycle or electric scooter in case of theft.
Security Surveys
The UICPD consults on basic security surveys to identify sources for improvement for security and risk prevention. Meetings are held with UIC administrators to review and update security systems as part of the Building Representative Network.
The UIC Police provide input regarding the use of certain locks, special doors and frames, lighting and parking facility layouts, etc. as part of the design process for campus structures.
Safe Exchange Zone
The Safe Exchange Zone is an area where individuals can safely carry out legal swaps, sales or purchases on campus, as well as make child custody exchanges. The Safe Exchange Zone is clearly marked in the first-floor lobby of the UIC Police Station at 943 W. Maxwell St.
Open 24 hours, the police-protected area has round-the-clock video surveillance, a seating area and appropriate lighting for meetups that happen during the day or after dark.
UICPD supply a tablet that buyers and sellers can use at the station. Officers hope the device will help people steer clear of any fraud-related losses that may occur while using a party’s personal electronic device. Possession of weapons on university property is prohibited, so exchanges involving weapons are not permitted in the space. Free parking is available for visitors; designated parking spaces are located adjacent to the police station.
Women’s Self-Defense Course
The UICPD’s Women’s Self-Defense course is a free, women’s only course, taught by female UICPD officers certified in self-defense instruction. Priority consideration for the course is given to UIC students and employees, but women from the Chicago area are encouraged to sign up.
The course is split into two parts: classroom learning and hands-on practice. In the first half, the instructor will cover important facts about sexual assault and violence and teach women how to identify potential attackers.
Topics include de-escalation techniques, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and reporting incidents to law enforcement. The second portion of the training teaches participants how to get out of threatening situations, such as how a victim should react if an attacker pulls her hair or how to work around the strength disparities that can exist between an attacker and a victim.
To sign up, e-mail uicpdawsda@uic.edu.
UIC SAFE app
UIC SAFE app is a a FREE personal security tool that provides students, faculty and staff with added safety on the campus.
The app’s user-friendly interface allows users to easily connect with friends and family to share their location in real-time as they walk. It allows direct and easy contact with dispatchers and first responders in case of emergencies and provides access to easy reporting forms, emergency guidelines and to a comprehensive list of support resources for students faculty and staff.
Student Patrol
The Student Patrol was established in 1980 to act as the “eyes and ears” of the police and to handle non-law enforcement calls for service. The Student Patrol is comprised of approximately 25 students and provides an invaluable service to the UIC community.
The Student Patrol members are deployed from 6:30 AM–11:00 PM, 7 days a week to observe and report suspicious or criminal activity to the department.
The Student Patrol is responsible for:
- Providing after-hours walking escorts for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
- Verifying the identification of persons requesting access to campus facilities.
- Locking and unlocking buildings.
- Providing 24-hour access control at fixed posts (as needed).