Your safety and welfare are always a priority. UC Berkeley provides safety measures across the board, from emergency preparedness and fire prevention, to on-site security staff and night safety services. The university campus is extensive and situated within a large urban community (the City of Berkeley); when navigating these dense population areas, it is important to take an active role in ensuring your own safety and that of your community. We encourage you to review the services provided and simple but effective actions you can take to support a thriving shared community. Learn more about safety from our campus police.
Preparation and Prevention
There are numerous safety and prevention programs dedicated to protecting and educating you, whether in the residence halls or on- or off-campus.
Warn Me | The UC Berkeley WarnMe alert and warning system notifies all Berkeley email accounts in the event of an immediate threat to safety or health. Register to receive SMS/text message alerts at warnme.berkeley.edu.
Emergency preparedness | Emergency preparation is part of orientation for students in residence halls. In the event of an emergency, the campus will implement emergency procedures and a siren will sound to alert you.
Fire and earthquake safety | Residents are expected to be aware of all fire safety and earthquake safety practices and follow all procedures and requirements.
Tiers of secured entry and access | Residence hall Units have three tiers of secured entry and access, with secured front door entry, elevators and stairwells that require keycard access, and individual room locks.
Residential Life Safety Program (RLSP) | Programs within Residential Life and the UC Police Department have security staff on site: Safety Ambassadors and Community Service Officers, respectively. They provide personal safety tips, and offer resources on topics including crime prevention and health and support services.
Safety Ambassadors | Students who have received safety and security training are stationed at the entrance of most residence halls during evening hours and verify identification of anyone accessing the building. They also act as a resource for anyone that feels they are in an unsafe situation, providing information on campus partners when appropriate.
Community Service Officers (CSOs) | Students employed by the campus Police Department assist the community by patrolling areas to ensure the security of entries and surroundings. They patrol residential areas to ensure the security of the entries and surroundings between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Self-defense class | The GENEQ Center offers a free Cal Self Defense for All (CSDA) class to all students.
Emergency “Blue Light” telephones | The emergency “Blue Light” telephone stations around campus can be used to notify UCPD if assistance is needed.
Emergency preparedness for students with disabilities | The UC Berkeley Disability Access and Compliance (DAC) office offers free individualized emergency preparedness consultations to students with disabilities. To learn more, please complete a request form.
Night Safety Services
UC Berkeley offers comprehensive night safety services to students, including:.
SafeWalk | After dark and in the evenings, SafeWalk provides a walking escort to your residence, car, or public transport. Call 510-642-9255 (642-WALK).
Night Safety Shuttle | The shuttle is an extension of the BearTransit daytime service, providing safe nighttime transit to and from the campus. It runs from 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Door-to-Door Service | Book door-to-door shuttle service from 3 to 6 a.m. (must be scheduled ahead of time).
Best Practices for Personal Safety
When navigating a large campus or city, remaining aware of your surroundings is always important. We ask that you follow these best practices to ensure your own safety and that of our community.
Remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Both in and around campus, don’t use a phone, earbuds, or electronics while walking.
Make sure to lock doors and close windows. When entering or leaving a residential building, please fully close doors and do not allow people you do not know to enter behind you nor hold the door open for unknown persons.
Always use your own security access. When entering your building, always tap in with your own Cal 1 Card or fob, and do not hold the door open for strangers. If someone holds the door open for you, please still tap in to reaffirm safe practices. Only residents and their invited guests should be allowed entry.
Look out for each other. Be aware of friends and classmates, and offer to walk in groups. Be alert to the safety of your neighbors.
Add emergency, safety, and well-being services to your contacts. The Residential Life resources page has contacts for emergencies, crime prevention, and multiple health and support services.