The University of Michigan is a large, active community surrounded by a vibrant city. Lots to do and places to go. Classes, meetings, study activities and social gatherings occur across campus at all hours, day and night.
For all its expanse in an urban environment, the campus has a safe and friendly reputation. Upholding that, the university has its own full-service law enforcement agency, the University of Michigan Police Department. UMPD provides round the clock patrols throughout the campus, and the officers are trained and prepared to respond to all sorts of emergencies. UMPD works closely with Ann Arbor police to coordinate safety and security needs between the campus and city.
U-M also has Housing Security and Safety officers designated solely to the residence halls and on-campus apartments. Officers are on duty in the halls during evenings, and patrolling the campus housing areas 24/7. They are there to respond to student and community needs for safety, and converse with residents about personal safety.
There are more than 100 blue light emergency phones located across campus as well as emergency telephones located in elevators and parking structures. The caller is automatically connected to a University Police communications specialist by simply lifting the telephone receiver. These direct lines automatically indicate the caller's location to U-M Police, without the caller needing to tell them. And there are red box courtesy phones on numerous campus buildings, which can be used to dial 911.
Beyond the Diag is the off-campus community program sponsored by the Dean of Students, and it regularly provides information to students about off-campus living and safety. In addition to a monthly newsletter, Beyond the Diag has produced a number of safety tips for students living off-campus.
U-M provides free bus transportation around campus for students and staff, complemented by free city bus service by the Ann Arbor Transit Authority. Both offer a safe and convenient way of getting around during the day and into the wee hours of the night. They also offer
- Ride Home (734-547-9800) is a free service that transports students from the undergraduate library, the Duderstadt Center or the Cancer Center on the Medical Campus to their residences between 2 and 7 a.m.
- Night Ride (734-528-5432) is a $5 shared-ride taxi service within the city of Ann Arbor that runs 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday-Friday and 7 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For all the police and security personnel on campus, the electronic security access to residential buildings, and the campus emergency phones, safety is everyone's responsibility. We advise students to:
- Lock windows and doors when leaving your room or apartment even for a few minutes
- Walk or park in well-lighted areas; call a friend before you leave so someone knows when to expect your arrival
- Walk with a friend or in groups when out at night
- Be mindful of your surroundings
- Do not wear earphones/ear-buds when traveling on campus (these can keep you from hearing someone approach and can be very dangerous at intersections)
- If you have a cell phone, make sure you have it with you when traveling
- Call the police (911) if you see or sense suspicious behavior.
Please encourage your student to be aware of the safety and security resources and information available to them. Also encourage them to sign up for the university’s automated Emergency Alert System that notifies students, faculty and staff of urgent campus emergencies via voice messages, text messages and email. Your student can sign up to receive emergency and crime alerts on their cell phones by registering through Wolverine Access.
To help Student Life continue making a difference in students' lives, please consider making a gift.