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Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.B General Principles

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All members of the University community are encouraged to work to achieve a safe, secure, and healthy campus climate. This includes an obligation to observe established safety principles and procedures and to promptly and accurately report unsafe conditions and suspicious activity to the Department of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) and/or other appropriate authority. Faculty and others in supervisory positions are responsible for maintaining conditions that provide for the safety, well-being and security of all those who report to them or who frequent their area and for ensuring that their students and staff are made aware of appropriate safety principles and procedures related to working conditions.

However, campus health and safety goes beyond providing personal safety and security for members of the University community. The University is committed as well to the promotion of a healthy community through a variety of services, including awareness training, educational programs, safety-oriented policies, counseling and support services, and other resources. Increased information and awareness about resolving conflicts, including harassment complaints, violence against women, and gender and diversity-related issues, are part of a growing understanding of what constitutes the “ideal human climate.” See Chapter 2, “Diversity and Nondiscrimination”; Chapter 10, “Resolution of Disputes”; and Chapter 11, “Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct“.

 

An important resource for all members of the University community is the Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report, prepared by the DPSS with assistance from various University departments and offices. It is revised and distributed annually to all faculty, staff, and students. The Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report is also available on the Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) webpage. It provides information about services and resources, University policies and State laws, crime prevention tips, campus crime safety statistics, and other information.

Safety is ultimately the responsibility of the individual and his or her cooperation is essential to the improvement of security for the individual and others.

Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.C Emergencies

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If it appears someone may need assistance because of a mental health situation, call the Psychiatric Emergency Service at University Hospitals for immediate help. This 24-hour service provides consultation, assistance to individuals who walk in at the Hospital Emergency Room, and outreach teams to assist anyone in the Ann Arbor community.  Call 734-936-5900 or 734-996-4747.

In the event of an emergency on the Ann Arbor campus (i.e., serious illness or injury, crime in progress, or fire), dial 911 from any campus phone or lift the receiver of a carport phone or a blue light emergency campus phone. All of these calls are routed to the Department of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) Communication Center, where the appropriate response is determined and necessary action taken. The Communication Center is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Carport phones are located in University parking structures. Blue light emergency phones are located on the Central, North, South, and Medical campuses and can be recognized by the blue light above the phone. When either type of phone is removed from the cradle, the DPS dispatcher is automatically alerted, and an officer is sent to the location of the phone. Although no dialing or conversation is required to elicit a response, anyone in an emergency situation should try to describe the emergency to the dispatcher if possible. A map of blue light phones is published by the U-M Division of Public Safety & Security.

When reporting an emergency, it is important to try to remain calm and to give the following information:

  • the precise nature of the emergency
  • the type of aid required
  • the location of the emergency
  • the caller’s name
  • the caller’s location

If a student is in serious psychological difficulty, call Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for a confidential consultation. Faculty who are in a crisis or wish to seek help for any personal problem may receive evaluation and referral from the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. Call CAPS at 734-764-8312.   See Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO), or Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience.

See the DPSS Emergency Preparedness Resources for U-M Faculty and Staff for a discussion of how to handle alcohol emergencies, emergency evacuation procedures for classroom buildings, handling hazardous materials emergencies, and mental health emergency procedures.  See also section 8.D.5 “Authorized and Unauthorized Persons in the Classroom.”

Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.D Police/Fire/Ambulance/University Committees

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18.D.1 University Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) & The University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD)

The University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD) , a unit in the Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS), has full law enforcement power. It was established to contribute to a safe and secure environment for the University community and to protect personal and University property. (SPG 510.01) As a general rule, UMPD has primary jurisdiction over incidents that occur on University property, and the Ann Arbor Police Department has jurisdiction over incidents that occur on city property. However, UMPD and the Ann Arbor Police Department cooperate extensively and work together to assure the safety of the University community. UMPD employs both police officers and public safety officers. Police officers have the power to investigate, search, and arrest as prescribed by law and to use reasonable/necessary force to enforce law and to protect persons and property. Public safety officers investigate every type of crime or incident that is reported to have occurred on University property, but do not have the power to arrest as prescribed by law.

The UMPD Communication Center monitors intrusion, robbery, fire, elevator, temperature, and maintenance alarms for University buildings. All 911 calls made from campus phones are routed to the Communication Center for appropriate response. The Communication Center is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The U-M Flint and U-M Dearborn campuses have their own departments of public safety. For information see websites for the U-M Flint Department of Public Safety; and the U-M Dearborn Department of Public Safety. By providing a number of services related to campus health and safety, DPSS contributes significantly to a safe campus environment. Community policing, including bike patrols, satellite offices, and officers working collaboratively with University constituents, are important ways members of the University community work together to improve campus safety. DPSS serves an educational role by offering presentations on a variety of topics pertaining to campus safety and crime prevention. Other services include S.A.F.E.WALK (see section 21.V “Transportation”). DPSS has three security bureaus: Campus, Hospital, and Housing Security. Officers from these bureaus patrol all campus buildings and grounds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on foot, in motor vehicles and on bicycles.

The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) has full law enforcement power. It was established to contribute to a safe and secure environment for the University community and to protect personal and University property. (SPG 510.01 ) As a general rule, UMPD has primary jurisdiction over incidents that occur on University property, and the Ann Arbor Police Department has jurisdiction over incidents that occur on city property. However, UMPD and the Ann Arbor Police Department cooperate extensively and work together to assure the safety of the University community.

UMPD employs both police officers and public safety officers. Police officers have the power to investigate, search, and arrest as prescribed by law and to use reasonable/necessary force to enforce law and to protect persons and property. Public safety officers investigate every type of crime or incident that is reported to have occurred on University property, but do not have the power to arrest as prescribed by law.

The UMPD Communication Center monitors intrusion, robbery, fire, elevator, temperature, and maintenance alarms for University buildings. All 911 calls made from campus phones are routed to the Communication Center for appropriate response. The Communication Center is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By providing a number of services related to campus health and safety, DPSS contributes significantly to a safe campus environment. Community policing, including bike patrols, satellite offices, and officers working collaboratively with University constituents, are important ways members of the University community work together to improve campus safety. DPSS serves an educational role by offering presentations on a variety of topics pertaining to campus safety and crime prevention. Other services include S.A.F.E.WALK (see section 21.W  “Transportation”).

DPSS has three security bureaus: Campus, Hospital, and Housing Security. Officers from these bureaus patrol all campus buildings and grounds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on foot, in motor vehicles and on bicycles.

18.D.2 Police Oversight Committee

The Department of Public Safety Oversight Committee is an independent committee made up of elected faculty, staff and student representatives. This committee, as provided by Public Act 120 of 1990, receives and addresses grievances by persons against the police officers or the public safety department of the institution. The committee may make recommendations concerning such grievances to the executive vice president and chief financial officer, including recommendations for disciplinary action.

18.D.3 Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD)

Located at 100 North Fifth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) is a full-service law enforcement agency. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Ann Arbor Police Department will respond when someone dials 911 from a non-campus phone in Ann Arbor.

18.D.4 Ann Arbor Fire Department

The Ann Arbor Fire Department responds to fire and medical emergencies on campus. If the 911 call is made from a campus phone, the call is routed to the UMPD communication center where the nature of the emergency is determined and the call routed as required. 911 calls made from an off-campus phone go to the Ann Arbor Police Department for routing.

18.D.5 Huron Valley Ambulance

Dial 911 for emergency assistance. If a 911 call is made from a campus phone, the call is routed to the UMPD communication center where the nature of the emergency is determined and the call routed as required. 911 calls made from an off-campus phone go to the Ann Arbor Police Department for routing.

Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.E Alcohol and Other Drugs

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18.E.1 University Policies

The University recognizes that the abuse of alcohol and other drugs can significantly interfere with fulfilling the mission of the University and poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of the members of this community. It offers a number of resources to assist members of the community who suffer the ill-effects of the abuse of alcohol or other drugs and has policies in place that address community expectations, prevention strategies, and resources, as well as penalties for misuse.

The University Alcohol and Drugs Prevention Program and Policy, required by federal law, is distributed annually to all University faculty, staff, and students. Distribution to faculty is by DPSS’ publication in the Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report.

The University policy prohibits unlawful possession, use or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs by faculty, staff, or students on University property or as part of any University activity. University, state and federal sanctions for the unlawful possession, use, manufacture or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs, as well as counseling and treatment programs available to members of the University community, are detailed in the policy. Consistent with the federal requirement, this policy is reviewed biennially to determine its effectiveness and to implement any changes needed to ensure that the University’s sanctions are consistently enforced.

The University policy also sets forth the Employee Reporting Requirement. This federally-mandated policy requires a faculty or staff member who works in any capacity under a federal grant or contract to notify his or her department head or University supervisor in writing of the employee’s own conviction for a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace. This notice must be given no later than five days after a current conviction or within five days of beginning work on the grant or contract for past convictions. The department head or supervisor must report the violation promptly to the vice president and general counsel’s office.

In addition to the University policy, each unit of the University is asked to formulate its own alcohol and drug policy, based on and consistent with University policy. Typically, the policies of the schools and colleges are published in their faculty handbooks; other unit policies are available from the office of the director.

The legal use or serving of alcoholic beverages at social events is determined by departmental policy in accordance with University principles and guidelines on responsible hosting. The legal drinking age in Michigan is 21.

The University of Michigan Student Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs can be found on the Office of Student Conflict Resolution’s website on Alcohol and Other Drugs Resolution. Misuse of alcohol or other drugs is a violation of the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities and may be subject to action under the Statement (see section 8.D.6 “Dispute Resolution/Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities”).

University Housing, individual academic units, and facilities may have internal procedures and impose sanctions against individuals and groups that violate their policies. Actions under one policy do not preclude actions under others.

18.E.2 Counseling and Treatment Programs

Faculty with alcohol or other drug-related problems, or who are affected by the substance abuse problems of someone else, are urged to seek assistance. The primary resources for faculty with drug-related issues are the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) or the Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience. See section 15.F “Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) and UMHS Employee Assistance Program (UMHS EAP).” Confidential services are also available 24 hours a day at UMH Psychiatric Emergency Services. Additional resources are listed in the Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report.

Confidential assessment for students is available through Counseling and Psychological Service (CAPS), 3100 Michigan Union, 734-764-8312, email: [email protected].

Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.F Smoking

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In recognition of the environmental health risks posed by tobacco smoke, the University is a smoke-free campus. The right of a non-smoker to protect his or her health and comfort takes precedence over another’s desire to smoke. Smoking is prohibited in all University facilities, including offices, classrooms, elevators, restrooms, stairways, and University vehicles. See SPG 601.04. State law prohibits smoking in public buildings and elevators.

Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.G Threats to Personal Safety

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18.G.1 Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive control that one person exercises over another, using physical and sexual violence, threats, emotional and psychological abuse, and economic deprivation. Domestic assault refers to types of abuse against a partner that are crimes, for example, hitting, choking, shoving, slapping, biting, burning, kicking, or forced sex. As with any emergency that poses a threat to safety, call 911. The following resources are available to members of the University community who need assistance in dealing with a domestic violence situation:

18.G.2 Safety After Dark

In the past several years, the University has undertaken a major effort to upgrade lighting on campus. However, as is true in most environments, threats to personal safety increase after dark on and around campus. Consistent with the goal of contributing to a safe campus for all members of the community at all times, the University offers several alternatives to walking alone at night. See section 21.V.5 “Transportation at Night”.

18.G.3 Sexual Assault/Acquaintance Rape

Consistent with state and federal laws, sexual assault—including acquaintance rape, domestic violence, and stalking—is not tolerated at the University of Michigan. The official University Sexual Assault Policy is a federally-mandated student policy. However, the provisions of this policy apply to all members of the University community, and all members of the community are expected to share responsibility for upholding the policy. The University Sexual Assault Policy is published in the Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report, and in the brochure entitled University Policies Affecting Students, available from the Office of Student Conflict Resolution.

Incidents of sexual assault should be reported. Reports can be made to the Department of Public Safety (911 from campus phones or use the “blue light” emergency phones, described in section 18.C “Emergencies”), to the Ann Arbor Police (911 from off-campus phones), to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC), or to any University official. University personnel who are contacted about an incident of sexual assault should refer sexual assault survivors to SAPAC or to one of the resources listed in section 18.G.1 “Domestic Violence”. Faculty should be aware that students may report sexual assaults to the Office of Student Conflict Resolution. Reports about sexual assaults are confidential to the extent permitted by law.

18.G.4 Stalking

Stalking is a misdemeanor in Michigan; aggravated stalking is a felony. Stalking is also a violation of the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities (see section 8.D.6 “Dispute Resolution/Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities”). All incidences of stalking should be reported to UMPD promptly for appropriate action. For more information, see the Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report.

18.G.5 Violence and Threats in the Workplace

All University community members share the responsibility for encouraging and maintaining a climate of behavior that does not foster acts of violence and aggression, including verbal assaults or physical actions that are intended to create fear or apprehension of bodily harm or that threaten the safety of others on campus.

  • Psychiatric Emergency Services: 734-936-6900

Faculty members who observe an act of violence at the University or receive a report about a violent act from a student, faculty colleague, or staff member should promptly report this to the appropriate department head or supervisor, Staff Human Resources, Academic Human Resources, the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO), or Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience. In the case of an emergency, contact the Department of Public Safety at 911. Acts of violence in the workplace are considered to be serious misconduct and may lead to disciplinary action, including termination, and prosecution if federal, state, or local laws are violated. (SPG 201.12)

The University offers many resources to assist faculty and others to prevent problems, conduct investigations, manage the workplace if a situation occurs, and cope with the stress resulting from an incident or situation. In addition to the resources listed above, faculty can call Psychiatric Emergency Services. See the Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report.

18.G.6 Injuries in the Workplace

All injuries incurred in the workplace should be reported to the injured individual’s supervisor as soon as possible. The injured individual’s supervisor is required to submit an accident report within 24 hours of receiving the report.

18.G.7 Weapons

In the interest of fostering a safe campus environment, the use and possession of firearms and other weapons on any property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the University, including the Ann Arbor, UM-Dearborn, and UM-Flint campuses, and other facilities such as medical clinics, is prohibited, with only limited exceptions. This prohibition applies regardless of whether an individual has a concealed weapon permit or is otherwise authorized by law to possess or use a firearm or other weapon (as defined by University policy). The limited exceptions include University employees who are authorized to carry a gun in connection with their work and individuals who wear a weapon as part of a military uniform in connection with a public ceremony, parade, or theatrical performance. See SPG 201.94, which applies to all University of Michigan faculty and staff, including full-time, part-time, and temporary employees, and is available online; and Regents’ Ordinance, Article X (as amended in April 2001), which applies to all individuals on any University property, including visitors. In addition, it is a violation of the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities to possess, use, or store firearms, explosives, or weapons on University-controlled property or at University events or programs. See section 8.D.6 “Dispute Resolution/Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.”

18.G.8 Classroom Safety for Instructors

All instructors at the University have an obligation to prepare for possible emergencies—for their own safety and for the safety of their students. To assist faculty in carrying out these responsibilities, the provost’s office has developed an emergency preparedness website, which requires a U-M uniqname and Level-1 password for access. This site includes procedures for a range of emergencies, a class suspension plan for infectious hazards, and a set of resources for faculty and others.

Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.H Campus Health and Safety

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18.H.1 Creating a Safety Culture

The University of Michigan is committed to providing safe working and learning conditions for all employees, students, and campus visitors. A campus-wide understanding of the need for safety is a critical foundation for this culture. The University has a multi-pronged approach for supporting and enhancing this culture. It includes faculty-led oversight of laboratory safety, education and training for all laboratory personnel, and campus-wide registry of laboratories, chemicals, and equipment.

18.H.2 Safety Oversight

Safety, in all academic and research endeavors throughout campus, is a core institutional value at the University of Michigan. Exceptional research means safe research and all campus community members working to ensure that safety is prioritized in U-M research environments every day. The dedication of U-M’s research community is essential to keeping research safe and for elevating the university’s reputation as a global leader in research and scholarship. Thanks to the efforts of researchers and administrators, the university has made tremendous strides toward improving research safety since the launch of the safety initiative.

  • The Research and Academic Safety Committee (RASC), provides oversight on laboratories, shops and studios across the Ann Arbor campus.  It is a faculty-led committee that includes representatives from the schools, colleges, research centers, and institutes as well as representatives from the University of Michigan Office of Research (OVPR) and the Department of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS). The RASC reviews policies and procedures for laboratory safety and makes regular reports, including recommendations for improvements, to the executive officers. In addition, the RASC works with EHS to implement enforceable corrective actions for laboratories with serious or chronic safety issues.
  • The Research Safety First Initiative launched in 2022 as a new phase in the partnership between the University of Michigan, Environment, Health and Safety and the U-M Research and Academic Safety Committee. The initiative is designed to support U-M researchers by reducing burden while also increasing adherence to research safety requirements, based on feedback from laboratory directors, unit safety committees and others.

18.H.3 Education and Training

The University requires safety training for faculty, students, staff, and visitors who use campus laboratories. Information about required training is available on the ESH website: ehs.umich.edu

18.H.4 Campus Registry of Laboratories, Chemicals, and Equipment

The University maintains a campus-wide inventory of laboratories, chemicals, and select equipment that contributes to effective oversight of lab safety through Michigan Research Cores.

18.H.5 Safety Compliance

Urgent concerns about laboratory safety should be reported to EHS, 734-647-1143 . Office hours are 7:00am – 4:00pm.
After hours emergency contact is through the Department of Public Safety at 734-763-1131 or from a campus phone 911.

The U-M Compliance Hotline may also be used to report concerns: compliance.umich.edu/report-a-concern/

Concerns can also be reported to safety coordinators, unit safety committees, or the Research and Academic Safety Committee (RASC).

Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.I. Michigan Medicine

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18.I.1 Michigan Medicine

Faculty at the University of Michigan have easy access to some of the best medical care in the world. Michigan Medicine, whose resources are available to members of the University community, is consistently ranked among the best health care institutions in the nation and proudly maintains a long tradition of excellence in patient care, teaching, and research.

Michigan Medicine comprises the top-ranked UM Medical School with locations in more than 40 health centers and outpatient clinics, and three hospitals in the Ann Arbor main medical center:

  • C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
  • University Hospital
  • Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital

Additionally, there are five main care centers in/around the Michigan Medicine main medical campus:

  • Frankel Cardiovascular Center
  • Kellogg Eye Center
  • Med Inn Building
  • Roger Cancer Center
  • Taubman Health Care Center

18.I.2 University Health Service

The University Health Service (UHS) is a health care facility located on the Ann Arbor campus that offers many outpatient services in one building for U-M students, faculty, and staff. Outpatient services do not include emergencies or procedures that require hospitalization. Many of the services provided to currently enrolled students by UHS are covered by the Health Service fee. University faculty, including faculty on the U-M Flint and U-M Dearborn campuses, are eligible to use the Health Service on an M-Care (University health insurance) or fee-for-service basis. Spouses, significant others, and dependents 10 years of age and older may also use the Health Service on an M-Care or fee-for-service basis. For more information, consult the UHS website.

Faculty on the U-M Flint campus may contact the Student Development Center for a local referral. Faculty on the U-M Dearborn campus may contact Health Referral Services through the office of Counseling and Support Services for a local referral.

18.I.3 Mental Health Resources

There are a number of resources on the Ann Arbor campus for faculty with mental health concerns. The Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) and the Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience provide free assessments and referrals for faculty members.

Emergency assistance is available through Psychiatric Emergency Services at the University hospital. Additional resources are listed in the Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report.

Faculty on the UM-Flint campus may contact the Student Development Center for a local referral. Faculty on the UM-Dearborn campus may contact Health Referral Services through the office of Counseling and Support Services  for a local referral.

Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.A Health and Safety Contact Information

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Emergency calls: dial 911 from any phone, from anywhere on campus – Ann Arbor, Flint, or Dearborn.

Ann Arbor campus emergency text number: 377911

CONTACT

PHONE

EMAIL

Ann Arbor Police
Crime and drug tip hotline 734-794-6939
Crime prevention office 734-794-6932
Non-emergency call 734-994-2911

UM-Ann Arbor
Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) 763-1131 (non-emergency) [email protected]
Police Oversight Committee 734-647-7292 [email protected]
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 734-764-8312 (non-emergency) [email protected]
Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) 734-936-8660 [email protected]
Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience 734-763-5409 [email protected]
Office of Student Conflict Resolution 734-936-6308 [email protected]
Department of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) 734-647-1143 [email protected]
Psychiatric Emergency Service at U-M Hospitals 734-936-5900 or 996-4747
SafeHouse Center (Ann Arbor) 734-995-5444
(24/7 Help Line)		 [email protected]
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) 936-3333 (24-hr Crisis Line
764-7771 (office)		 [email protected]
SOS Community Services 734-484-9945 [email protected]
University Health Service (UHS) 734-764-8320 [email protected]
Ethics, Integrity & Compliance (Anonymous Hotline) 866-990-0011 [email protected]

U-M Dearborn
Department of Public Safety 313-593-5333 [email protected]
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 313-593-5430 (non-emergency)
1-855-275-1715 (crisis line)		 [email protected]>
Health Referral Services 313-593-5430
U-M Flint
Department of Public Safety 810-762-3333 (non-emergency)
Office of Environment, Health and Safety 810-766-6763 [email protected]
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 810-762-3456
After hours emergency 810-762-3333 (Public Safety)

Updated 2024