In the weeks following the tragic death of Shaoxiong “Dennis” Zheng, the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) has taken a series of steps to improve safety and security for its community.
In November, the school held two townhall meetings led by Pritzker Molecular Engineering’s Safety and Security committee, which sought to offer guidance as well as answer questions and hear concerns from school members. The newly formed PME Safety and Security committee consists of PME’s executive committee and Dean of Students, and will continuously review and respond to concerns brought by the PME community.
Eric Heath, associate vice president for safety and security at UChicago, spoke at the second townhall, outlining the University’s plans to address campus safety, specifically touching on four key areas of concern brought up by students and staff: campus and neighborhood safety, transportation, infrastructure, and safety communication.
During the townhall, Heath elaborated on the University’s short- and long-term plans to address concerns, including modified police presence in the patrol area, enhanced technology, and a more robust communication network.
Heath recommended that anyone interested in more information about policing and security around Hyde Park watch the November 17 campus discussion on safety and security webinar with President Alivisatos, Associate Vice President for Safety and Security Eric Health, and Chicago Police Department Superintendent David Brown.
On November 20 the University also hosted a roundtable with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and community leaders to discuss community-based strategies to improve safety throughout the city, including Hyde Park and neighboring South Side communities.
PME safety measures
In addition to hosting townhalls, PME has taken measures to directly address safety issues as they apply to members of the school.
TransLoc, the GPS tracking system for CTA routes serving the UChicago campus, has been added to the PME public displays inside four buildings: the Eckhardt Research Center (ERC), Cummings, Kovler, and Jones.
Lockers have been made available within the ERC for students and staff to secure their possessions while on campus. People interested in reserving a locker can contact Matt Williams, PME’s building administrator, for more information.
PME has established an emergency fund to help rapidly replace items lost during a robbery. The fund will be applied on a case-by-case basis and will augment the University’s emergency assistance programs.
In-person training sessions are being held to provide step-by-step instruction for using the University’s safety apps and programs. The first session was held on December 2 and slides from the meeting can be found here. A second meeting will take place on December 9 with additional meetings to be scheduled in January. In-person workshops on safety and city politics to empower individual advocacy and engagement with local government will also be held soon for those interested in participating.
Additionally, PME is working with the University to address concerns outside the school’s direct purview. These include extending the hours of the Quantum Café food court in the ERC, offering free after-hours parking in the Ellis garage, making improvements to security within the Ellis garage, and offering training courses on topics such as situational awareness.
Students with any safety concerns are encouraged to reach out to David Taylor, dean of students. Faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out to Tarnisha Smith, director of human resources, or Joshua Berg, senior associate dean for administration and operations.
PME’s new measures augment the safety and security initiatives offered by the University, including the safety, wellness, and support resources listed below.
Safety resources
cAlert online — A real-time emergency notification system that sends automated messages to students, faculty, and other University personnel. Community members not affiliated with the University can also sign-up for cAlert by texting “calert” to 226787
CrashPlan — An automatic backup software available for free through UChicago and PME.
Safety Escort — The UCPD provides a safety escort program for members of the UChicago community. If you are concerned about your safety as you walk within the UCPD's patrol area, call 773–702–8181 and request a safety escort. The first available patrol or security officer will be sent to escort you to your destination.
The Autumn Safety Message — A quarterly email containing useful updates and general information on community safety.
UGo NightRide Shuttle — A shuttle service that covers the campus core as well as the Hyde Park neighborhood with shuttles leaving every 15 to 30 minutes. Riders can access a shuttle within one to two blocks of nearly every building on campus.
UChicago Safe Mobile Safety App — A free and robust app for quickly accessing safety information.
UChicago Safety Website — An overview of safety resources available to members of the University community and tips for staying safe in the city, around campus, and while using transportation.
UCPD information page — The UCPD’s central listing for information services, including the Crime Bulletin and Crime Notice, which are two regular publications summarizing crime activity in the UChicago area.
Wellness and Support
Get Help — A website for students, offering a full array of support resources.
Student Wellness online — An option for students to schedule counseling appointments through an online scheduler or by phone at 773–834–9355.
Let’s Talk — A free, informal, and confidential therapist consultation service offered by UChicago Students Wellness. No appointment is necessary.
Dean on Call Program — A 24/7 phone service that connects students to a University administrator at 773–834–4357. The Dean on Call program can provide referrals, information, and support to students during an emergency.
Perspectives — Assistance for faculty and staff, which is also available at 800-456-6327.