Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
I’m writing to share an update on current training efforts, additional opportunities and how community feedback is guiding ongoing work to strengthen campus safety.
Safety training and preparedness
In January, more than 50 members of our campus community participated in an active-shooter threat preparedness training led by Public Safety in partnership with the Chicago Police Department. This session focused on situational awareness, response strategies and coordination during emergencies.
Building on this work, Public Safety has continued to expand training and awareness efforts across campus including:
- Enhanced officer training on in-building emergency notification systems: Hands-on refresher training began in December and will continue throughout 2026 to ensure timely and accurate communication during emergencies.
- Neighborhood communications during campus incidents: Public Safety has developed new protocols to initiate outreach to local neighborhoods with updates during active threats.
- Active threat response training for residence hall staff: Training for all resident assistants was conducted in January to strengthen readiness in residential environments. Training for a variety of departments and college offices was also completed.
Additional training opportunities will continue to be offered throughout the year. Any area of the university that would like training should contact Cheryl Hover, associate director of emergency management, at chover@depaul.edu.
Ongoing safety enhancements
In parallel with training, the university is exploring additional security measures informed by feedback from students and members of the campus community. These efforts are focused on improving access control, strengthening evening and weekend security and ensuring consistent safety practices across campus facilities. More information will be shared as these measures are evaluated and implemented.
Other important safety reminders
As Public Safety continues this work, I encourage everyone to keep the following safety reminders in mind:
Reporting suspicious activity
Report suspicious activity immediately to Public Safety at 773-325-7777 (Lincoln Park) or 312-362-8400 (Loop). Suspicious activity includes behavior that appears unusual or out of place such as unfamiliar individuals checking doors, unattended packages or unusual noises.
Emergency notification systems
DePaul communicates during emergencies in several ways:
- DPU Alert: Emergency notifications are sent via text, voice call and email. Please verify your contact information in Campus Connect.
- Emergency speakers: University-owned buildings and the Quad are equipped with speakers for audible emergency announcements.
- Fire alarms: A loud siren and strobe lights indicate fire or smoke and require immediate evacuation.
Thank you for staying informed and for your shared commitment to campus safety.
Sincerely,
Bob Wachowski
Director, Public Safety