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Health and Safety
Emergency Notification
In case of campus emergencies, the University uses multiple communications to notify the campus community, including tone alert radios, on-the-ground public safety personnel, email, the University home page and TXT-U. TXT-U is the University of Minnesota’s emergency notification text messaging system.
Although only University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff can register for TXT-U, students can sign up parents, other family members, or friends by designating more than one mobile device to their account. For information on how students can sign up for TXT-U and add parents’ cell phone numbers, see TXT-U on the Safety and Security website.
Parents are also encouraged to sign up for the Parent email listserv. Parent messages are sent routinely throughout the academic year, and in critical situations, notices will be sent through the listserv and posted on the University Parent website.
612-301-SAFE
For messages about weather, safety, and health emergencies on the Twin Cities campus, call 301-SAFE (612-301-7233).
Campus Safety and Security Tips
The Twin Cities campus is among the safest college campuses in the country. Parking facilities, skyways, and tunnels are monitored 24 hours a day with the aid of security cameras and security monitors. Alarm buttons and emergency phones are located around campus. However, safety is everyone’s responsibility. Nine safety and security tips are here to help keep your student's experience at the University of Minnesota as safe as possible.
See the Safety and Security Tips >
Crime Prevention
Campus safety is everyone’s responsibility. The University makes efforts to educate students about crime prevention, and the University Police and Minneapolis Police cooperate in patrolling campus and the surrounding area.
See tips and suggestions on Crime Prevention >
Health and Safety Topics
Disability Services
Students with mental health, attentional, learning, physical, or sensory conditions that may affect their access to campus services or classes are encouraged to register with Disability Services for resources and support.
Read about Disability Services >
Students and Alcohol: A Guide for Parents
Suggestions for how to start a conversation about alcohol use and some facts that may help guide your discussion. Also included are some resources that you can call on at any time if you are concerned about your student's use of alcohol or other drugs.
Quiet Students
Quiet, shy, and less outgoing students contribute important qualities in the classroom and on campus.
How to Raise a Sensitive Issue or Approach a Student
University counseling professionals provide suggestions for talking to your student when you think he or she is overwhelmed or depressed.
Learn about How to Raise a Sensitive Issue >
Relationships, Sexuality, and Sexual Activity
Relationships, sexuality, and sexual activity offers information and resources that may help as you discuss these issues with your student.
Download the Concerned Parents brochure (PDF) from the Aurora Center for strategies and support for talking with your college daughter about sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Tips
Sexual Assault Prevention and Tips for Students and Parents provides information that students can use to avoid being the victim of sexual assault or the risk of becoming an assailant. It also has advice for parents if their student has been assaulted.
Links Related to Health and Safety
The Transition Year—An online resource center to help parents and students focus on emotional health before, during and after the college transition.
Boynton Health Service—Boynton Health Service provides medical care, health education, and wellness workshops for students.
Boynton Health Service information for parents.
University Counseling & Consulting—Personal and group counseling, advice on career development, and assistance with time management and study skills are available through University Counseling & Consulting.
Student Mental Health—A web resource with information on crisis and urgent consultation as well as alcohol resources, counseling, disability accommodations, mental health screening, stress management, and more.
E-CHUG—A brief, anonymous online alcohol assessment and feedback tool for college students, is available to students through University Counseling & Consulting Services and Boynton Health Service.
Living in Online Communities—Frequently asked questions about websites such as Facebook and MySpace.
Disability Services—The Disability Services office ensures access and opportunities for all.
University Police—The University Police Department serves the campus community to create a safe environment to learn, live, work, and visit.
Campus Escort Service—The Campus Security Monitor Service offers a walking/biking escort service to and from campus locations and nearby adjacent neighborhoods.
Safety and Security—This website helps you and your student understand how you will be notified and what to do during an emergency.
Recreational Sports—Student stay in shape with workouts, programs, and team sports at University Recreational Sports.
The Aurora Center for Advocacy & Education—The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education (TAC) provides free and confidential crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and harassment. TAC also provides services for "concerned persons," that is, people who are concerned about a friend or loved one who has experienced these types of crimes. This webpage also offers a variety of sites for more specified information on sexual assault.
Drug-Free Campus and Workplace Compliance—The University's policy associated with the use of drugs and alcohol.
Eating Disorder Information on the Boynton Health Service website.
The Attorney General of Minnesota provides student-specific information on consumer protection.