Personal Safety
With a population of 35,000, the UMass Amherst campus is a small city, and as in any small city, problems happen. However, as a member of the campus community, there are a great many things you can do to protect yourself and your belongings, as well as help the UMPD maintain a safe environment where education and research can thrive.
Crosswalk Safety
During the course of an average day at the University there may be as many as 50,000 people traveling on campus - in cars, on motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or on foot. This makes campus a very busy place, and can create dangerous situations for everyone if they don’t pay attention. More info>
Safety Escorts and Transportation
UMass Amherst provides a variety of ways to get around campus safely after dark so that no one needs to walk alone. If you don’t have friends or co-workers to accompany you across campus at night, please take advantage of these services. More info>
Help Phones
There are over 100 HELP phones located at the entrance to all residence halls and throughout the campus. The phones are yellow with blue lights for maximum visibility, and anyone can call for help at the touch of a button.
More info>
Protecting Your Identity
Identity theft is an unfortunate by-product of our data-driven culture. There are many ways that students can protect their personal information, as well as steps that UMass Amherst takes to provide further protection.
More info>
Rape Prevention, Reporting & Counseling
There are many ways you can stay safe and prevent a possible rape from occurring. However, if you are a victim of a sexual assault your first priority should be to get to a place of safety. Once you are safe, seek medical treatment and report the incident as soon as possible. More info>
Fire Safety
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety, along with the UMPD and Housing and Residence Life, oversees fire safety at UMass Amherst with a full-time staff of fire prevention professionals. More info>
Weapons on Campus
The UMass Amherst Police Department would like members of the campus community to be informed about the state laws that apply on campus that may differ from what was acceptable at your previous residence. One such area of concern involves firearms and dangerous weapons. The presence of firearms in a college setting can be disruptive and frightening to the members of the community. While most people immediately recognize the hazards, some may be unaware or naïve about the laws of the Commonwealth regarding firearms and other weapons. More info>
