Campus Safety
(Continued from UNH Today home page.)

Dear Students,

I am writing today to provide you with an update regarding the measures the University is taking to increase security, awareness and education regarding campus safety.

Campuses throughout the United States are often situated in or near large cities, and the University of New Haven is no different. The very components that make Greater New Haven compelling, including a vibrant night life that draws students into the heart of the city, are the same aspects that make it challenging. Recognizing this, we have taken a multi-faceted approach to assure the safety and security of the members of our campus community, whether they are on campus or in the surrounding neighborhood.

I also want you to know that the University has gone above and beyond the federally mandated Clery Act in its approach to campus safety. These efforts have significantly lowered the incident of crime on our campus, as noted by several agencies that report higher education crime statistics. We have consistently placed quite low in rankings in terms of number and severity of crimes committed on campus.

The neighborhood in which the University resides is typically quiet, but within any given area and even in what we often perceive as the safest neighborhoods, challenges arise. With that in mind, the following are several initiatives we have undertaken.

The recently commissioned University of New Haven Safety Task Force, led by Associate Vice President for Human Resources Caroline Koziatek, has been working diligently to initiate safety measures, training and more. The task force moved quickly to:

1. Institute an extensive retraining program for all University police officers and dispatchers that revisited and reviewed emergency response procedures. University police officers, who are already trained by the state of Connecticut, are further trained upon their hiring at UNH. At this time, the University employs a staff of 14 officers to police the campus.
2. Fully test the Campus Alert Text System. The first test was conducted October 27. If you signed up but did not receive the test text, please visit http.//www.newhaven.edu/campustext to ensure you have been included in the system. If you have questions, please e-mail amacdougall@newhaven.edu. You will receive texts from the Campus Alert Text System in the event of a situation that affects the immediate safety of the campus community or if severe weather conditions exist.
3. Begin installation of an audible on-campus alert system. This system will be used in conjunction with the Campus Alert Text System and will give University Police the ability to broadcast specific information that will be heard clearly throughout campus. Once the system is installed, all constituencies on campus will be notified of a test of the system.
4. Increase the number of emergency blue phone boxes that are located strategically throughout the grounds. Once the phone is removed from the hook, the box dials the University Police Department, which instantly determines the location of the box and dispatches assistance. Please visit www.newhaven.edu/student-life/3992/ to view a map that displays the emergency phone box locations on campus.
5. Increase University police and security guard patrols at the Forest Hills, Regency and Savin Court apartments.
6. Add shuttle bus transportation from the Main Campus on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to Forest Hills from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., in addition to the courtesy van service that runs Sundays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 11:40 p.m. The schedule may be found at:
   www.newhaven.edu/student-life/13202/.
7. Initiate meetings with the UNH Criminal Justice Club and University Police Chief Henry Starkel regarding next steps in adding more student patrol officers to the campus escort service.

Here is further information that I believe will be helpful in allaying any concerns you may have:

• The University has a longstanding and excellent relationship with the West Haven Police Department. The department’s officials and officers are second to none in their stewardship of the University campus. West Haven police cars are often seen on campus and in the vicinity, and officers make a point to monitor areas frequented by UNH students. University police also monitor the West Haven Police radio 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• We offer a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week campus escort service. Students requiring an escort may contact campus police at extension 7014. A University police officer, student patrol officer or the UNH courtesy van will transport students to their campus destinations.
• Shuttle service is available to all students to all University housing, whether on or off-campus, and to certain popular destinations within the Greater New Haven area.

To learn more about UNH’s Emergency Response Protocol and specifics regarding safety procedures at the University, please visit www.newhaven.edu/19090/.

Please know your safety is our utmost concern.

Sincerely,

Steven H. Kaplan
President