To help keep campus safe, make sure Northwestern can reach you

As the Northwestern community processes the mass shooting that left three dead at Michigan State University on Monday, Northwestern leaders are reminding students, faculty and staff who are struggling that resources are available while also urging them to make sure they are familiar with campus safety procedures.

The shootings in East Lansing were yet another painful reminder of how pervasive gun violence has become in the U.S. — even on college campuses. Northwestern leaders said members of the University community should always be mindful of each other and their surroundings on and off campus, day or night.

“We have no higher priority than the well-being of those who learn, work and live on our campuses,” said Northwestern Chief of Police Bruce Lewis. “This is a shared responsibility that everyone takes very seriously, and we rely on your partnership and vigilance in helping to keep Northwestern safe and secure.”

Make sure Northwestern can reach you

To ensure Northwestern can quickly and effectively warn students, faculty, and staff about a threat on campus, the University urges everyone to verify your emergency messaging contact information in myHR or CAESAR and make relevant updates as needed. Emergency communications sent by text message are often issued the fastest. The following guides can assist you with verifying or updating your mobile number for emergency notifications via text. 

• Student guide to add/update emergency text alerts in CAESAR
• Faculty and staff guide to add/update emergency text alerts in myHR

Users may also review the steps to log in to Rave, the University’s emergency notification system, to validate emergency messaging contact information uploaded from myHR or CAESAR.

Northwestern recommends that parents, contractors, visitors, vendors, Evanston residents, hospital partners in Chicago and others opt into Rave. All can enroll in AlertNU by texting “AlertNU” to 226787. For more information, visit the About Emergency Notifications web page, which includes answers to frequently asked questions.

Review Run, Hide, Fight safety protocol

Northwestern has produced an updated training video on the “Run, Hide, Fight” safety protocol to show students, faculty and staff how to respond in the event of a violent, life-threatening incident on campus.

The “Run, Hide, Fight” video simulates the scenario of an active aggressor with a gun and is intended to train Northwestern community members in a three-part protocol the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends as the safest response to an active shooter situation.

App helps students look after each other

As another part of Northwestern’s commitment to campus safety, the University has launched a new resource for students on the Evanston campus that can be used 24 hours a day.

NUGuardian is a free, peer-to-peer mobile app that turns a smartphone into a personal safety device. The app enables users to designate their phone contacts as “guardians” who walk (virtually) with them wherever they go — on or off campus — to help them arrive safely at their destination.

Mental health services via CAPS and TimelyCare

Shootings like the one this week at Michigan State can be traumatic. The University offers several support services for community members who need them. 

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers mental health services to students, including same-day virtual appointments on the Evanston campus that can be used for any mental health concern. Staff in the Dean of Students office, Student Assistance and Support Services and Religious and Spiritual Life are also available to provide support. In addition, all students have access to TimelyCare, a virtual mental health app that is free regardless of full- or part-time status.

Faculty and staff can find support through the Employee Assistance Program, and through Religious and Spiritual Life.