Office of the Chancellor

Safety, Security, and Well-Being; A Shared Responsibility 

August 27, 2024

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

The safety, security, and well-being of our campus community is our top priority here at Purdue Fort Wayne. With nearly 7,500 students, 1,306 faculty and staff, and hundreds of visitors coexisting every day, it’s critical that we all do our part to help ensure the general welfare.

As an outgrowth of a thorough review of the university’s safety and security preparedness by an external consultant in 2023, the university created a Campus Safety Committee that has been actively moving forward with recommendations. Numerous changes have either been implemented already or are nearing completion. They include enhancements to building access and security, an improved evacuation and reunification plan, revisions to the emergency handbook, and a new building deputies program.

The university’s comprehensive Campus Safety and Security website includes essential information related to all aspects of safety, security, and well-being.

The following resources represent just a few of the ways we can work together to help ensure our own safety, as well as that of other members of the campus community.

Emergency Text Alerts and Critical Notifications
Information about emergencies, including life-threatening situations, is available at your fingertips via your mobile phone. Time-sensitive text alerts can be easily pushed out to you immediately via our RAVE emergency-notification network—but you must sign up to receive them. Log in now to goPFW to register your mobile devices in the event of a campus emergency. It’s simple and easy. This will ensure timely delivery of critical information regarding immediate concerns about safety and security on campus.

Call 9-1-1 in an Emergency
In the event of an emergency (police, fire, imminent threat), call 9-1-1 immediately from your mobile phone or from any university phone. Calling 9-1-1 is your direct line to summoning first responders. Non-emergency calls may be directed to University Police at 260-481-6827.

Weather-Related Emergencies
When severe weather is in the forecast, the university’s senior leadership team monitors weather and safety information from several 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, text alerts (one more reason to sign up), and local and regional media outlets.

Student Conduct and Care 
The Office of Student Conduct and Care provides important advice, information, and services 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. Anyone can submit a CARE Team request for any student, and someone will follow up with that student as quickly as possible. To report a concern, simply submit a CARE Referral.

Mental Health and Counseling Services
Sometimes our students need just a little extra compassion and attention during stressful or emotional times. Our Center for Student Counseling provides professional counseling services for a variety of life’s challenges—depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms; 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 at the end of the corridor between the Department of Anthropology and Einstein Bros. Bagels. The Mastodon Relaxation Zone is also located in the Center for Student Counseling and can be accessed by any student during open hours. There is a quiet study space, coffee and tea bar, low sensory room, a small food pantry, and a wellness library.

We are in the process of further enhancing programs related to mental health and well-being, including expanding counseling services for faculty and staff and consolidating all university mental health services. More information on these plans will be shared with you in the coming weeks.

Remember, if you’re experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis or emergency, please don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.

University Health Clinic 
The university’s health clinic, the Center for Healthy Living, plays an important role in keeping our students, faculty, and staff healthy and well. From general check-ups to immunizations to lab work, the team at the health clinic is here for all members of our university community. Appointments may be scheduled through the patient portal or by calling 765-494-0111.

University Police 
Our University Police department is pivotal to our campus safety and security efforts. The university recently hired a new police chief, Anthony Harrison—be sure to check out the video and article in your Inside PFW and Don Life newsletters this week—who has quickly recruited additional police officers and is reviewing and improving various aspects of the operation. One change you’ll soon notice is that our police officers will be wearing bodycams to ensure even more transparency and security during the course of their efforts to promote safety and security on campus. Non-emergency calls may be directed to University Police at 260-481-6827.

Finally, I want to thank each of you for taking the time to familiarize yourself with this essential information and these important resources that were developed with you in mind. 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