Since 2008, September has been recognized as National Campus Safety Awareness Month — a time dedicated to promoting safety and security on college and university campuses.

At the University of Houston, numerous departments, programs, services, and websites are dedicated to campus safety. Some provide security and training, while others communicate campus safety information. Learn about these departments, programs, services, and websites to become aware of or rediscover campus safety.

University Resources

Over the past couple of years, the university has undertaken a campus lighting and security project to enhance security components and lighting around UH parking lots and walking pathways. These upgrades include additional emergency call boxes, cameras, improved lumens per square foot for safety, security signage, and LED lighting conversion. Learn more about the Campus Lighting and Security Project and its distinct phases.

The university also offers tools and services to keep the UH community safe. Chief among them is the UH Go app. The phone application is necessary for students, faculty, and staff. The UH Go app allows users easy access to safety services like:

• The UH Go Emergency Call button that connects a user – and their location – to UHPD dispatch. A text option is also available.
• The Cougar Ride After-Hours Shuttle Service, a program provided by Parking & Transportation Services, gives rides to and from all on-campus shuttle stops like MD Anderson Library, Cougar Village, and the Moody Tours.
• Push notifications from UH Alerts System during emergency situations.
• Key emergency preparedness guides to help you navigate what to do in a number of emergency situations.

Another way to instantly connect with UHPD dispatch is via the 240 Emergency Blue Light Phones spread across the campus. See the locations of the emergency call boxes on the interactive map.

Stay Cougar S.A.F.E.

To stay up to date on campus safety news, safety trainings, and safety tips, visit the Stay Cougar S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness Friendship Education) website. The safety information site is an online hub for all UH safety resources. Site visitors can expect the latest news from campus safety departments, feature stories about UH safety, and information about the many safety trainings available for the community.

The site also provides easy access to safety-related departments, such as the University of Houston Police Department, Environmental Health & Safety, Fire & Life Safety, and the Office of Emergency Management. Also found on the site are quick links to safety-adjacent departments like Parking & Transportation Services, Cougar Card Services, Automotive and Fleet Management, and Risk Management.

UHPD

The University of Houston Police Department offers CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) training for all UH community members. The training helps prepare individuals in the unfortunate circumstance that they find themselves in an active shooter situation.

Additionally, the department hosts Coffee With a Cop once a month. The event allows the campus community an opportunity to speak and ask the officers questions while sharing a cup of coffee.

Have safety concerns walking after-hours around campus? UHPD provides security escorts to UH students, faculty, and staff. To receive this service call 713-743-3333. The same number can also be used to text UHPD in case of an emergency.

Knowing these services are available is important for the UH community to know.

UHPD Crime Prevention Officer Felipe Gutierrez said it is important for faculty, staff, and students to always be prepared.

“Have a plan. Whether that be for bad weather, or any type of alert or security that goes out,” said Gutierrez. “Always be ready for that worst case scenario.”

Campus Safety

The Campus Safety division is encompassed by three departments. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Fire & Life Safety, and Environmental Health & Safety. All three can be found on the Campus Safety website. Each of these departments has trainings, safety information, and different ways they keep the UH community safe and informed.

Fire & Life Safety conducts technology-driven training that allows interested individuals to learn the proper techniques of putting out a fire using a digital fire extinguisher as a stand-in for the real thing. The department also has general fire safety training. Learn more about how to book a training course with Fire & Life Safety.

Chris McDonald, Fire & Life Safety Executive Director, wants the campus community to feel comfortable reaching out to them, or any safety-related department if they need help.

“If people have concerns or questions about their safety, and safety’s not just a security or police issue, but any concern of safety issues, they can always contact us,” said McDonald. “We’ll be happy to reach out and help them. We’re here for them.”

OEM has numerous training courses throughout the year to better prepare the UH community in case of an emergency. These courses include CERT (Community Emergency Response Training), a free eight-week course that prepares you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a disaster.

Additionally, the departments host hurricane preparedness events to keep the community informed about how to be prepared ahead of hurricanes and provides tours of its UH Emergency Operations Center. Learn about all the training courses offered by OEM.

Director of Emergency Management Ginger Walker echoes Gutierrez's words about the importance of being prepared.

“The most important thing with regard to safety and sticking with my own are which is emergency management, is it’s all about preparedness,” said Walker. “Preparedness can take you into having a plan, building an emergency kit, and staying informed.”

While one month is dedicated to campus safety awareness, it's important to know that campus safety awareness is a year-round topic. With these departments, programs, services, and websites, the UH community can keep their campus safety awareness at a high level and rediscover them when they need a refresher.