Safety and Security Resources
North Park University’s urban location is a part of our identity. With this setting comes the important responsibility of maintaining the health, safety, and security of our students. Residence Life staff, along with Campus Safety and Security officers, provide many resources to aid in students’ safety.
Campus Security Officers
Officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day and are on call at all times. Visit Campus Safety and Security for more information.
Personal Safety App
Whether you’re walking across campus, taking the CTA to another neighborhood, or even traveling to another state, North Park’s personal safety app for your smartphone will help you stay safe and connected to your friends, family, and first responders. Learn more.
Front Desks
Our residence halls and Park North have front desks staffed 24 hours a day by attendants. Desk attendants monitor who enters and exits the buildings, and offer assistance to students in an emergency by calling the Resident Assistants on Duty, Campus Safety, or 911.
When students enter a living area with a front desk, they must show the desk attendant their student ID. All guests must be checked in by a host, and accompany their host at all times during their visit.
For residents’ safety, all of the front doors to the living areas with desks are closed and locked at all times. Residents can enter the building by using their ID or the buzzer system at the front door of the building.
RA and Res Life Pro. Staff On Duty
Every day from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am each living area has a Resident Assistant (RA) on duty who remains in that living area during that time. In addition to building relationships, answering questions, and assisting students who get locked out, this person is available to respond in the event of an emergency or crisis situation.
Residents should contact the front desk of their living area in order to contact an RA during an emergency. If the emergency or situation requires more assistance than the RA can provide, he or she will call the Residence Life Professional Staff member (Pro. Staff) who will help respond and call further help if needed. If necessary, the front desk or the RA will immediately call 911 and Campus Safety for assistance, then the Pro. Staff on duty would be notified.
Health and Safety Inspections
Residence Life Professional Staff (Pro. Staff) and RAs conduct routine health and safety inspections twice per semester in each living area in order to ensure the health and safety of North Park’s on-campus residents. Areas checked include:
- Excessively dirty or unhealthy rooms or apartments
- Appliances that are safety concerns (microwaves, air conditioners, space heaters, etc.)
- High-intensity lights/bulbs
- Health- and safety-related maintenance issues
- Flammables (will be confiscated)
- Unsafe lofts or stacked furniture
Residence Life staff notifies residents about the dates of inspections weeks in advance through email, flyers, and posters. While the staff members are not specifically checking for Student Handbook policy violations during this time, any observed violations will result in disciplinary action.
Personal Property
To protect your personal items, it is important to keep your room/apartment door locked at all times. If you choose to bring valuable items to campus, please be aware that you bring these items at your own risk, as North Park is not responsible for the possible damage, loss, or theft of these items. To ensure your belongings are protected, talk to your insurance company about coverage under your family’s current homeowners policy or purchasing renters insurance, or visit this free resource.
Viking Shuttle and Security Escorts
The Viking Shuttle is a free vehicle service that operates continually during evening, late-night, and early morning hours with stops at key locations around the North Park campus. Students, faculty, and staff can get on and off the shuttle at any of the identified stops. The Viking Shuttle is driven by a North Park Safety Officer, providing an additional level of safety for passengers and a secondary patrol of the campus perimeter.
When the Viking Shuttle is not in service, students may be able to use the North Park Security Escort Service. Vehicle and walking security escorts are available to assist individuals who are in need of transportation assistance or have safety concerns.
Maintenance
Staff members of the University’s Physical Plant are available to assist you with any maintenance needs your living area may have. Visit the website for Physical Plant to learn how to request maintenance requests.