News
Last Updated February 15,
2008
Father Holtschneider Responds
to the NIU Tragedy
Dear Students, Faculty and
Staff,
In the wake of
yesterday's tragedy at
Northern Illinois
University, I would like
to take a moment to tell
you how DePaul is
working to help our
students deal with this
difficult situation and
remind you about
DePaul's emergency
procedures.
DePaul has comprehensive
emergency plans in place
that are updated and
tested regularly. To
expand our services, we
will be introducing some
enhancements soon, and
their success depends on
everyone's cooperation.
Our new system can send
an emergency alert to
your work, home or cell
phones, an e-mail to
your preferred address
and a text message if
the cell number you
provide has text
capabilities. But it
works only if you
provide that information
to us.
In March, students,
faculty and staff will
receive an e-mail
reminder and be asked to
update or confirm
current contact
information in Campus
Connection. In addition
to updating it when
asked next month, you
can update it today or
at any time in the
future whenever one of
your contact numbers or
addresses changes by
clicking on the
Demographic Profile link
in Campus Connect. For
detailed instructions on
updating your contact
information and adding
DPU Alert, please review
https://ws.is.depaul.edu/FileAccess/uec/11020312224/DPU%20Alert%20instructions.pdf.
These updates take just
a few minutes to
complete, and as we have
seen all too frequently,
it can save your life.
Who will help me in an
emergency?
Our Public Safety
officers are our first
responders in any campus
crisis and, as always,
work closely with the
Chicago Police
Department, with whom we
enjoy excellent
relations. In the event
of a major emergency at
the Loop or Lincoln Park
campuses, Chicago police
would take control of
the scene, while Public
Safety and
administrators would
assist as requested and
appropriate. Local
authorities would be
first responders at our
suburban campuses.
How will I know there is
an emergency?
Communication systems
are critical in
emergencies. DePaul
posts emergency
information on its home
page and can issue mass
e-mails to the campus
community and students
at their preferred
addresses in minutes.
Broadcast voice mails to
campus phones can be
issued as well. In the
event of a major
disaster, DePaul's home
page will be replaced
with an emergency
information Web site.
This page is not
available when DePaul is
not facing a major
emergency. Please keep
your contact information
updated in Campus
Connection so we can
reach you in an
emergency.
Where can I get more
detailed information to
prepare for an
emergency?
Here are some useful Web
sites:
Public Safety:
http://publicsafety.depaul.edu/
Building evacuation
procedures:
http://rmehs.depaul.edu/evacuation/index.asp
Emergency Communication
Resources:
http://newsroom.depaul.edu/html/mrEmergencyFrame.html
Dean of Students:
http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/dos
University Counseling
Services:
http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/ucs/
University Ministry:
http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/ministry/
What should I do if I
see a potential
emergency?
If you sense immediate
danger, call 911, and
then Public Safety at
773/325-7777. Please
follow the directions
given by Chicago police
and other city, state or
federal authorities who
arrive to help. Public
Safety will assist in
directing the campus
community to safety
through personal
interaction and public
address systems.
How do I get help for
someone who may pose a
threat to himself or
others?
DePaul has a host of
resources available to
address the mental
health issues of
students, faculty and
staff. The Dean of
Students Office at
773/325-7290 is
available to faculty and
staff who identify
potential student mental
health issues. The Dean
of Students Office can
help facilitate
referrals to on- and
off-campus psychological
services and other
resources. University
Counseling Services has
walk-in hours available
every weekday for
students who want help.
Lincoln Park hours are
noon to 1 p.m. and 4
p.m. to 5 p.m. Loop
hours are noon to 1 p.m.
If you or someone you
know needs help
immediately, call 911 or
Public Safety. For
details on how to make a
referral, check out the
counseling center's
brochure called "Helping
Distressed Students" or
visit its Web site at
http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/ucs/referral.html.
DePaul also offers an
Employee Assistance
Program that can link
faculty, staff and their
families with mental
health professionals in
a confidential manner if
desired. DePaul's
medical benefits plans
cover psychological and
psychiatric treatment.
Please visit
https://hr.depaul.edu/index.asp
or contact HR at
312/362-8500 if you
would like more
information on those
programs and benefits.
How is DePaul responding
to the NIU tragedy?
University Ministry is
making condolence books
available to comfort the
victims, their families
and friends. They are
located in the Lewis and
Lincoln Park chapels as
well as on the 11th
floor of DePaul Center.
Student Affairs has been
in touch with their
counterparts at NIU and
offered counseling and
ministry staff to work
with their students,
faculty and staff.
Student Affairs staff
fanned out in the
residence halls, lounges
and student centers last
night to be with
students and offer
support.
The DePaul community has
a tradition of graceful
response to tragedy. We
grieve as our friends
and colleagues do. If
you or someone you know
could benefit from
talking to someone about
their grief, please
don't hesitate to take
advantage of the
services available at
the counseling center or
University Ministry.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dennis H.
Holtschneider, C.M.
President
|
Father Holtschneider Reminds
Students of Campus Safety and
Emergency Communication
Procedures
Dear DePaul students,
As the nation struggles to comprehend the senseless tragedy at Virginia Tech, DePaul’s deans and vice presidents met this week to review our emergency procedures. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of those procedures.
DePaul has comprehensive emergency plans in place that are updated and tested regularly. Our Public Safety officers are our first responders in any campus crisis and, as always, work closely with Chicago Police, with whom we enjoy excellent relations. In the event of a major emergency at the Loop or Lincoln Park campuses, Chicago Police would take control of the scene, while Public Safety and administrators would assist as requested and appropriate.
Communication systems are critical in emergencies. DePaul posts emergency information on its home page and can issue mass e-mails to the campus community and students at their preferred addresses in minutes. Broadcast voice mails to campus phones can be issued as well. In addition, in the event of a major disaster, DePaul's home page will be replaced with an emergency information Web site. In an emergency, this special information page can be reached directly and immediately at http://crisis.depaul.edu. This page is not available when DePaul is not facing a major emergency. Additionally, we are always exploring ways to enhance our existing communication systems and to develop more efficient methods of collecting and maintaining personal contact information.
If you, as a student, ever have a concern about a fellow student who may be troubled, please contact the Dean of Students Office at (773) 325-7290 in Lincoln Park or (312) 362-5680 at the Loop. These professionals are available to assist you during regular business hours. If you ever feel unsafe, or otherwise judge it wise to report a situation more immediately, please contact Public Safety at (773) 325-7777 in Lincoln Park or (312) 362-8400 at the Loop. More contact information can be found in the chart below.
Earlier this week, University Ministry hosted vigils on the Loop and Lincoln Park campuses to pray for the victims, their families and friends. Condolence books remain available for signing and will be sent to Virginia Tech to aid in the healing process. This was a graceful response to a tragic situation, and I’m proud of all those who took the time to attend and organize these events.
If you or someone you know could benefit from talking to someone about campus safety, please don’t hesitate to take advantage of the services available on campus.
Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M.
President
General Assistance Contact Information
CTA warns of longer travel times during construction
Dear Students,
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is alerting riders of the Brown, Red and Purple lines that they will encounter significantly longer travel times and overcrowded trains and platforms because of extensive track work scheduled to begin on April 2.
The reduction from four lines to three is to accommodate construction at the Fullerton and Belmont stations, which will be the most disruptive phase of the $530 million Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project. The track work, which is not expected to be complete until late 2009, will affect students who use public transportation to commute to campus and/or those who travel between our two Chicago campuses. Rush-hour travel times may double, although only minor delays are expected during midday, according to the CTA.
During the first phase of the so-called three-track project, the CTA will operate 24 fewer northbound Brown, Red, and Purple line trains during evening rush—3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. During the morning rush—6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.—nine fewer trains will operate. To help compensate for the reduction of trains, the CTA plans to put more buses into service during rush-hour periods.
As you register for classes during this nearly three-year service disruption, please factor in the additional time it may take you to get to campus or the extra time it may take you to get between our campuses on the CTA. Residence hall students who take most of their classes in the Loop may want to consider residing in the University Center of Chicago.
The DePaulia will be providing regular coverage of the CTA construction as will the Chicago news media. Updates on the construction will be available at www.ctabrownline.com , the Web site for the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project.
I strongly encourage you to plan ahead and to be flexible during this construction project.
Sincerely,
James Doyle
Vice President for Student Affairs
Vice
President for Student Affairs – Response to Recent
Hate Crime
Dear
Members and Friends of the DePaul University Community:
I
am writing to address a recent incident that was
directed at members of our university community.
This incident violated our core values of respect
and dignity for all populations; furthermore, this
hateful expression challenged our deepest commitment to
the rich diversity within our community.
During
this difficult time, please know that the university’s
leadership is compiling a series of “next steps” and
we will be posting regular updates on these steps.
You can find this information on our Student
Affairs website located at www.studentaffairs.depaul.edu
In
the meantime, it is important for you to know that the
Division of Student Affairs is here to support a
positive student experience at the University.
Each student’s educational experience is our
highest priority and we continually strive to ensure
that student’s can successfully obtain their goals.
If
you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to
contact my office at 312-362-5680 or the Dean of
Student’s office at 773-325-7290.
We will be glad to provide you with an update or
answer any of your questions.
Sincerely,
James
R. Doyle
Vice
President for Student Affairs
Health
Insurance for Students
Click here for information on health insurance for
students.
Computers on
Campus
Please click
here to learn about locations, hours, printing
capabilities, and the available software in university
computer labs.
Go back to Top
|
