Office of the Chancellor

Your Safety and Security: A Shared Responsibility

August 28, 2023
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

The safety, security, and well-being of our university community is our top priority here at Purdue Fort Wayne. With nearly 7,500 students, 1,289 faculty and staff, and hundreds of visitors on campus every day, it’s critical that each of us does our part to help ensure the general welfare of the entire campus community.

During the past year, we created a Campus Safety Committee, led by Vice Chancellor for Financial and Administrative Affairs Glen Nakata, that has been examining all aspects of safety and security across the university and will continue to do so going forward. With the assistance of an external security consultant, the committee conducted a vulnerability assessment that included individual interviews with 75 students, faculty, and staff. The university is now actively moving forward with recommendations that include enhancements to building access and security, an improved evacuation and reunification plan, revisions to the emergency handbook, and a new building deputies program.

As I mentioned in last week’s message, we also launched a comprehensive Campus Safety and Security website this fall that includes essential information related to all aspects of safety, security, and well-being.

The following resources represent just a few of the ways each of us can help ensure our own safety, as well as that of others.

Emergency Alerts and Critical Notifications
Life-threatening emergency information is available at your fingertips via your mobile devices. Time-sensitive alerts are pushed to you immediately via our RAVE emergency-notification network—but you must sign up. All you need to do is log in to goPFW to register for text message alerts that are delivered directly to your registered mobile devices in the event of a campus emergency. It’s simple and easy. This will ensure timely delivery of critical information regarding imminent threats to your safety and security on campus.

9-1-1 and University Police
In the event of an emergency (police, fire, imminent threat), don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 from your mobile phone or from any university phone. Calling 9-1-1 is your direct line to summoning first responders. Nonemergency calls may be directed to the University Police Department at 260-449-3000.

Weather-Related Emergencies
When severe weather is in the forecast, the university’s senior leadership team monitors weather and safety information from a number of official sources. Whenever possible, we announce weather-related campus closures or delays by 6 a.m. for daytime classes and 3 p.m. for evening classes. Weather-related information for both Purdue Fort Wayne and Indiana University Fort Wayne is communicated via university email, social media, the university’s home page, RAVE emergency alerts (one more reason to sign up), and local and regional media outlets.

Conflict Resolution Pathways
Purdue Fort Wayne is a large and complex community of talented individuals—students, faculty, and staff—who are passionate about all that we do. With this passion comes the potential for disagreement or perhaps even conflict. It’s important for all of us to know how to manage conflict before it has the potential to escalate. Human Resources and Office of Institutional Equity maintains a comprehensive Resolution Pathways website that provides a wealth of relevant resources.

Student Conduct and Care
The Office of Student Conduct and Care provides important advice, direction, and information for students—and also is a valued resource for faculty and staff with regard to the welfare of our students. Central to the care and well-being of our students is a highly trained, multidisciplinary CARE Team that can proactively intervene and provide timely support.

Center for Student Counseling
Sometimes our students need just a little extra compassion and attention during stressful or emotional times. Our new Center for Student Counseling provides professional counseling services for a variety of life’s challenges—depression and anxiety, relationship issues, and stress management. Students can make an appointment or just stop in during walk-in hours—the counseling center is on the ground floor of Kettler Hall next to Einstein’s. If you’re experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis or emergency, please don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Finally, I want to thank you for taking the time to familiarize yourself with this essential information and these important resources. We’re all in this together, and preparedness is key when it comes to knowing how to respond—and where to seek help—in an emergency.

I wish each of you a safe and successful academic year here at Purdue Fort Wayne.

Sincerely,

Ron Elsenbaumer
Chancellor