The University of Nevada, Reno provides resources and training opportunities to promote campus health, wellness and safety. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to utilize the offerings available through these programs.

These efforts include:

University Police Services is a fully functional law enforcement agency. Officers have full police powers and are certified under the laws of the state of Nevada. They perform the same function as officers from city, county and state agencies; enforcing all local, state and federal laws and ordinances within the jurisdiction of the University of Nevada, Reno, which includes the main campus as well as other properties owned and operated by the University. They also have the authority to exercise police powers on University-owned and/or supervised sites, such as fraternity houses, sorority houses and adjacent properties.

Officers patrol, walking and biking around campus, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and provide escorts upon request. The department also has standing agreements with other local law enforcement agencies giving officers authority to exercise police power. The University Police Department does all they can to assist in appropriate investigations by other agencies.

University Police Services can be reached at (775) 784-4013 or going to University Police.

The University’s Emergency Messaging System sends messages to all enrolled cell phones in the event of an emergency or unexpected closing at the University. The message alert will often supplement communication and University closure information available through other means, such as the website. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for this service. Users who elect this option and provide contact information may be assured that all of the information provided is private and will not be shared. Find out more and sign up at Emergency Alerts

Campus Escort Service begins fall-semester service on Thursday, Aug. 25. Initial hours of operation will be 7 p.m. - 1 a.m., seven days a week. Starting Monday, Nov. 7, hours of operation will be 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. This service provides safe transportation via van to any location on or within a 2-mile radius of the main campus in Reno. For more information or to request the service, contact Campus Escort Services at (775) 742-6808.

Walking Escorts are available during high-call volume times and may not be available all times of the school year. However, no distance is too short, and accommodations will be made if you need to walk somewhere on campus with the extra security of an escort.

The University’s network of emergency “blue light” phones has been significantly expanded in the last two years, with numerous phones located throughout the campus, including in the University’s parking garages, across the main campus Reno and in the Redfield Campus parking lot. Each phone allows quick access to “911” emergency assistance with the push of a button.

All of the phones have a button that, when pushed, sets off a highly visible blue strobe light and places an immediate call to the regional 911 dispatch center. Additionally, at the request of the student government, the tower-style phones on the main campus in Reno include a second button that places a call to the ASUN Campus Escort Service. This allows a convenient way to schedule a safe ride during the services’ hours of operation. The Campus Escort Service offers walking and driving escort services during the fall and spring semesters.

A team of professional counselors is available to all students as part of Counseling Services. Counselors are available for topics ranging from personal health and well-being to sexual assault. For concerns or questions about your safety or the safety of others, contact Counseling Services at (775) 784-4648 or the Crisis Call Center at (800) 992-5757. Counseling Services is located in the Thompson Building, Room 202, and is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Safety information is distributed to all students living in the residence halls during Welcome Week and throughout the year.

• Each residence hall has 24-hour security desk operations with full-time staff who conduct regular building rounds.
• The halls have live-in staff that receive training on safety and security issues, as well as provide educational programs on personal and property safety.
• The halls are locked 24 hours a day, and access is controlled by sophisticated perimeter security and door-locking systems.
• In response to annual satisfaction surveys, more than 90 percent of residents consistently agreed or strongly agreed that they felt safe and secure in their residence halls.

The University has an emergency information website.

A student guide to Health, Wellness & Safety is available for download.

Pocket-sized cards with safety tips and important numbers, including the numbers for motorist assistance and the Campus Safety Escort Service, are available at a number of locations on campus. Tips and numbers are also available at University Police or the University’s Personal Safety page.

Carry a whistle or noisemaker as a safety reminder and means of calling for help. Whistles are available, for free, at University Police Services, first floor of the Fitzgerald Student Services Building. They can be attached to a key ring.

All area law enforcement agencies, including University Police Services, participate in the regional 911 system. Calls placed to regional 911 are dispatched for response by the nearest officer, which means a University police officer would respond when the call is placed from campus. When the emergency button is pushed, the blue light flashes to alert others in the area that something is happening, intending to potentially deter or stop criminal activity. If you see a blue light flashing, University Police Services advises that you assess the situation and use common sense in determining how or if to respond. In many instances, it may be best to not become involved in the situation, and instead place an additional call to 911.

Safety starts with personal choices and practices. The best way to stay safe is to be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. University Police Services has produced a short video reviewing 10 safety tips you can easily and immediately put to use. The video – and additional safety-related information – is available online at University Police.

Safety presentations are given to students, faculty and staff that include practical information they can use to protect themselves. In addition to public, scheduled training sessions, sessions are conducted at the request of campus organizations and associations. For example, training sessions are offered and presented to members of sororities. Free safety classes hosted by the University for students, faculty and staff include rape defense, self-defense and personal safety-awareness instruction. For more information about these safety training opportunities, please visit University Police.