Safety Message to the Penn Community
Throughout the past week, many members of our community have expressed concern for their sense of safety given the continuing violence in Israel and Gaza and the growing activism on campus and more broadly in the world. Penn Public Safety is closely monitoring protests, rallies, and other gatherings taking place on our campus, as well as outside events occurring throughout the Philadelphia region. We work in close partnership with our local, state, and federal partners through whom we receive multiple updates each day. Nothing is more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of all members of the Penn community.
The University has increased the presence of Penn Police and Allied security in religious, cultural, and other spaces across campus and are in constant contact with the leaders of these spaces and organizations about events and gatherings. We are also monitoring and providing additional support for residential spaces where students may feel unease. Penn Public Safety will continue to attend rallies, protests, vigils, and other gatherings on campus to ensure the physical safety of participants and onlookers alike. Penn Police will take immediate action should there be any physical threat of harm and pursue it to the fullest extent of the law.
We encourage anyone who is feeling unsafe to reach out to Penn Public Safety for additional resources, including our 24/7 Walking Escort Services anywhere throughout our patrol area. Please call our 24/7 PennComm Emergency Call Center at 215-573-3333 for any immediate concerns.
Feeling safe also includes practicing self-care. Penn Public Safety partners with multiple support services across the University. Below is a list of safety and support resources throughout campus.
Again, nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of all members of the Penn community.
Kathleen Shields Anderson, Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety Resources
Emergency Contact Information
If you should have any concerns or see someone exhibiting suspicious behavior, call the PennComm Emergency Communications Center at 215-573-3333. We are here for you 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, call anytime. If you feel unsafe outside of the Penn Patrol Zone, call 9-1-1 for local police (in the U.S.). A reminder that the Penn Patrol Zone extends from 30th Street to 43rd Street (east to west) and Market Street to Baltimore Avenue (north to south).
- Emergencies: Dial 215-573-3333 or 5-1-1 (from any campus phone). Dial 9-1-1 outside of the Penn Patrol Zone.
- Blue Light Emergency Phones: If you observe a potential safety hazard, require assistance, notice suspicious activity, feel unsafe or need a walking escort, you can reach Public Safety directly through any emergency phone on campus. Just pick up the receiver or press the button.
- UPennAlert Registration: For information on how to register or update your contact information.
- Penn Guardian: Use the Penn Guardian App to stay in touch with Public Safety. Penn Guardian is a free app that allows Penn affiliates the ability to rapidly provide information about themselves, such as a medical condition, to the Division of Public Safety during an emergency.
Safety & Wellness Resources
We encourage those who are feeling unsafe to reach out to us for additional resources, including walking security escort services anywhere throughout our patrol area. DPS works in close partnership with multiple University support resources, including University Life’s community and cultural resource centers, Wellness resources, the Chaplain’s Office, and College House & Academic Services, among others. DPS offers safety presentations, self-defense courses, and emergency procedures training to the Penn community. Groups may request presentations via the form on our website.
In this confusing and difficult time, remember to care for yourself, and, if needed, use the University resources available for your own well-being:
The HELP Line: 215-898-HELP (4357)
Any member of the Penn community may call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to request mental health resources and information.
Wellness at Penn: 24/7 medical care and mental health support at 215-746-WELL (9355)
Wellness at Penn is dedicated to caring for students during their academic journey while creating a campus-wide community of care. Our team is committed to offering a wide range of opportunities to access support, clinical resources, education, and practical tools to meaningfully engage with one’s health and wellbeing.
Student Health and Counseling offers 24/7medical care and mental health support for students by calling 215-746-WELL (9355).
The Office of the Chaplain & SPARC: 215-898-8456
The Office of the Chaplain is available to students, faculty and staff for pastoral support, guidance, or informal advising and counseling.
Special Services: 215-898-4481 or 215-898-6600 (24hrs)
Members of the Penn community may inquire and receive support services when victimized by any type of crime. Highly trained personnel are available to offer immediate assistance, including crisis intervention, accompaniment to legal and medical proceedings, options counseling and advocacy, and linkages to other University and community resources.
University Life at Penn nurtures an inclusive campus life environment where students grow intellectually, engage in meaningful experiential opportunities, and deepen intercultural and interpersonal understanding in preparation for a life of meaning and purpose.
Connect with the cultural and community resource centers and other support resources supported by University Life.
Student Intervention Services (SIS): 215-898-6081
Student Intervention services supports students in crises, helps students access resources, and responds to concerns about students’ wellbeing.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 1-866-799-2329
Penn’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can provide counseling and referral services to you and your families, as well as connect you to resources to help you work through the grief these events can create. EAP offers materials for coping with traumatic experiences and ways to help those who struggle with feeling safe at school, home, or work.
International Student and Scholar Services: 215-898-4661
ISSS has a dedicated team to provide you with professional immigration guidance, a wide array of services, informative programs, and unwavering support to enhance your U.S. experience throughout your entire stay at Penn and beyond. You can connect with us through various channels, including virtual and in-person advising, phone and email correspondence, participation in immigration workshops and integration programs, engaging with us on social media, or exploring our comprehensive website.
Weingarten Center: 215-573-9235
In addition to housing Student Disability Services which assists students navigating academic and/or other university accommodations, the Weingarten provides learning consultations, tutoring, and interactive programs as you develop learning strategies and content knowledge to further your academic and professional goals.
The Center works closely with all of Penn’s schools and centers and advising offices. If you find yourself falling behind in course work or struggling to focus on academics, reach out to a Learning Specialist at the Weingarten Center.