Campus Security

The University of Chicago Card

The University of Chicago Card is an official identification card, and its use is subject to the regulations of the University. The card identifies a person as either a student or an employee, but not both. Students whose cards identify them as employees may obtain a quarterly supplementary card identifying them as students from the Office of the University Registrar. The card is not transferable and must be presented upon demand to a University official. Misuse of the card will result in its forfeiture and may be subject to disciplinary action.

Whistlestop Program

Many residents of the area patrolled by the UCPD participate in the Whistlestop program. Whistles produce a loud noise that can scare off attackers and attract help from neighbors. Whistles may be purchased for $2 at UCPD headquarters, 6054 South Drexel Avenue.

Fingerprinting Service

The Community Services Division of the University of Chicago Police Department located at 5555 South Ellis Avenue (Young Building) offers free fingerprinting service to members of the University community from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any member of the University community wanting to utilize this service is encouraged to make an appointment by calling 773.702.6008.

Emergency Phones

There are 390 emergency phones in the area, located on thoroughfares heavily trafficked by pedestrians (see following pages for locations). Simply press the red button on the phone and your location will be immediately transmitted to the UCPD. You may then explain your request to the dispatcher. If you must keep moving to protect yourself, you need not say anything, because pressing the red button will allow police to follow your course as you continue to use emergency phones along the way. An officer or patrol car will come to your aid immediately. (Emergency Phone Locations Map)

Contact Cards

University Police officers complete a contact card after any investigative contact with a person. The cards specify name, address, phone number, and a description of the person questioned; the date, time, and location; whether or not a weapons frisk was conducted; name(s) of those with the person when questioned; reason for the contact; disposition; and the name(s) of the officer(s) involved. Anyone stopped and questioned for investigative reasons may review his or her contact card, as long as it remains on file (typically less than one year from the date of contact), by requesting to speak with a supervisor at UCPD headquarters at 6054 South Drexel Avenue during business hours.

Complaint Process

UCPD operates under strict rules and regulations that provide for professional conduct. Occasionally, however, a situation may arise that leads to a formal complaint against the UCPD. Complaints are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly. To make a formal complaint or to share feedback, talk to the watch commander or supervisor on duty by calling the dispatcher at 773.702.8181 or visit safety-security.uchicago.edu/police/commendations.shtml to download the Citizen's Complaint Form. Students may also initiate complaints by contacting the Office of Campus and Student Life or the Dean-on-Call through the University Police (773.702.8181 or 123) or by emailing cops@uchicago.edu.

Once an investigation has been concluded, the complainant(s) will receive a written response from the chief of the UCPD explaining the findings and any disciplinary actions taken by the department as a result of a sustained complaint. The UCPD submits the investigative report for complaints relating directly or indirectly to issues of excessive force, violation of rights, and abusive language to the Independent Review Committee for the UCPD for review.

The committee consists of University faculty, students, and staff, as well as community members. Its charge is to evaluate all complaints relating to issues of excessive force, violation of rights, and abusive language brought against the University Police Department. The committee reviews the actions of the UCPD in handling such complaints and makes recommendations as necessary to the Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer regarding improvements to departmental policies and procedures. Visit safety-security.uchicago.edu/police/commendations.shtml for more information on the UCPD complaint process.

Residence Halls

Most residence halls have a front desk staffed 24 hours a day. In addition, the entrances to the residence halls have security doors which require specifically coded access on one’s UChicago Card for residents to enter. Visitor control attendants will check University identification. Guests must sign in at the front desk and are not permitted through the security doors until their host has agreed to receive them. There are security screens on exterior windows that are at ground level.

Academic Buildings

Most academic buildings are accessible during normal business hours. After 5 p.m., they are locked and accessible only to authorized persons. Security staff members monitor access to public or semi-public campus events.

The hospitals, libraries, and athletic facilities are monitored by check-in personnel who verify University identification or the visitor's business within the building. The Gleacher Center is open from 6 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to midnight on Saturday. On Sunday from 7 a.m. to midnight, it is open only to current MBA students. Security staff monitor the building 24 hours a day. Trespassers are prosecuted.

Residential Services

Graduate Student Housing, comprised of approximately 30 apartment buildings owned and operated by the University, offers secure, convenient, and affordable housing to graduate students registered at the University. Every entrance to a University apartment building is protected by at least one locked door. Main entrances open onto well-lit foyers and are equipped with intercoms so that residents may communicate with visitors.

There is an emergency phone that connects directly to the University Police located near the main entrance of each University apartment building.

International House

The recent restoration of International House included the installation of a fire sprinkler system, the relocation of the front desk for better access control, and a number of ADA improvements. Access to International House is provided through the main entrance on 59th Street. Exterior access points to/from event spaces are alarmed and locked when not in service. Video surveillance cameras monitor main exterior access points in addition to hight traffic interior areas. The front desk is staffed 24 hours per day to provide assistance to residents and guests. Recent campus lighting initiatives have added exterior lighting to the east, west, and south areas of the property.

If you believe a student residing in on-campus housing has been missing for more than 24 hours, immediately contact the University Police at 773.702.8181 to make a missing student report.