Keeping Yourself Safe

Being aware of your surroundings and prepared for unexpected situations goes hand-in-hand with city life. We encourage you to make safety practices an important part of all your daily routines. Here we offer a few simple tips to keep in mind whether you are at home or out and about in the city, as well as some resources to rely on for getting around.

Walking

• Plan your way in advance. Choose well traveled routes. Use discretion when talking or walking with strangers, even if they are offering you help. Walk with purpose.
• When possible, try to travel with friends, whether it is daytime or evening.
• Avoid deserted areas. Do not cut through parks, alleys, and vacant lots at night.
• If you think you are being followed, cross the street, change direction, or go to a public place where others are present.
• If a person confronts you and demands your money or possessions, give what is demanded and create a safe distance.
• Keep alert. Don't let a conversation on your cell phone or the use of headphones make you unaware of your surroundings.
• Use caution when using Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). Select one located in a busy, well-lighted area.

Bicycles

• Use a "horseshoe" lock to secure your bike to a bike rack.
• Register your bike with UCPD.

Home, Apartment, or Residence Hall

• Lock your door, even if you are leaving just for a few minutes. Do not prop open doors. When you leave, be sure to lock your windows as well.
• Consider purchasing renter's insurance to cover damages to or theft of your personal belongings.
• Before you leave for a vacation, stop newspaper delivery, have a neighbor pick up your mail, and set your phone ring to the lowest volume.
• Don't admit strangers into your building, apartment, or room. Use a peephole to confirm a visitor's identity. Don't buzz a visitor into the building unless you are certain who it is.
• Landlords are legally required to provide adequate hallway lighting and dead bolt locks on individual apartment doors. Window locks are required in some situations. For further information, call the South East Chicago Commission at 773.324.6926.

Driving

• Keep your car locked and use a steering wheel locking device or car alarm.
• Keep purses and packages out of view.
• If your car breaks down, raise the hood. Then stay inside with the doors locked. If someone offers to help, do not open your window or door or accept a ride; ask them to call the police for you.

Parking on Campus at Night on Weekends

Most University parking lots are free to anyone after 4 p.m. weekdays and all weekend. Cars must be removed by 8 a.m. the following day throughout the week or by 8 a.m. Monday after weekends. Most University parking lots, including the Ellis Avenue Parking Structure, have emergency phones and are well-lit. For more information, visit safety-security.uchicago.edu/transportation.

University Transportation

Bus Service

Hours and routes vary; for schedule and route information visit safety-security.uchicago.edu/transportation.

SafeRide Program

From 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, an on-call van service is available to students, faculty, and staff located in the University Police area of coverage (north to 39th Street, south to 64th Street, east to Lake Shore Drive, and west to Cottage Grove Avenue). Delays in pickups may occur, since the vans operate on a "firstcall, first-come" basis. Call 773.702.2022 and give your precise address. Expect to display your University ID card when boarding the van. Please see safety-security.uchicago.edu/transportation for the latest information.

Umbrella Coverage

Anyone within the University Police area of coverage indicated above can request an escort at any time from the University Police when they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. If you call the University Police and give your location, the first available patrol car will be dispatched to accompany you as you walk to your destination.

Injured Student Transportation

From time to time, a student may sustain an injury that makes it difficult for the student to maneuver the campus. A student who is interested in injured student transportation services should contact Services for Students with Disabilities/Student Health and Counseling Services at 773.834.4469, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Services for Students with Disabilities will gather the student's information, including address, phone number, and email address. The student will also be requested to submit a class schedule. The Transportation and Parking Office will respond to requests made by students through Services for Students with Disabilities only.

Any request for injured student transportation must be scheduled 24 hours or a full business day in advance. Pickup and drop-off times may vary depending on service demands. Injured student transportation will be provided Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., for the student (but not for any third party):

• to and from the perimeter of the Main Quadrangle Pedestrian Zone (MQPZ);
• to and from the library for studying;
• to and from medical treatments at the University of Chicago Medical Center; and
• to and from campus dining locations for meals.

Students who are discharged from the University of Chicago Medical Center Emergency Room Monday through Friday after 8 p.m. may call SafeRide at 773.702.2022 for transportation service.

Public Transportation

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

You can find detailed CTA information at transitchicago.com, in the information pages section of your Yellow Pages, at the Reynolds Club, or by calling 888.YOURCTA (888.968.7282).

Metra

Trains run daily from Hyde Park to the Loop and south suburbs. Find schedules at metrarail.com, at any Metra station, or at the Reynolds Club.

Taxi Service

Yellow Cab and Checker Cab can both be reached by calling 312.TAXICAB (312.829.4222).