Campus Emergency Information

Emergency Contacts and Actions

AU Campus Public Safety
Emergencies: Dial 630-844-5450, 911 or ext. 555 from a university phone.
Non-emergencies: Dial 630-844-6140 or ext. 6140 from a university phone.

Medical Emergency
Contact Campus Public Safety at 630-844-5450 or dial 911.

Fire
If you discover a fire, pull a fire alarm immediately, evacuate the building and call 911.

Tornado/Severe Weather
A siren will sound when a tornado has been sighted. Evacuate to the lowest level of a building or in a designated severe weather shelter. Remain sheltered until an Emergency Alert “all clear” message is sent.

Active Shooter/Hostile Intruder
Run: If you can do so safely, run. Seek safety shelter and make proper notifications (call 911).
Hide: Shelter in place and secure your immediate area.
Fight: Fight as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger. Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter.

For more detailed information about emergency responses, please download the Emergency Response Guide. The guide is also posted in all classrooms and offices.

Campus Safety Resources and Efforts

Emergency Text Messaging
AU students, faculty, and staff automatically receive emergency alerts via email. Anyone can receive alerts via text messaging. Students or faculty/staff members who are not currently receiving AU Alert text messages, can go to Self-Service (“Address Change” link) and register their cell phone number. Others, including family members, can register their cell phone number at aurora.edu/alerts.

Campus Public Safety Department
The university employs its own uniformed Campus Public Safety officers and dispatchers, supplemented by contract security officers. The Chief of Campus Public Safety supervises these groups. Members of the Campus Public Safety Department are available and patrol campus facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Officers perform routine checks of buildings, vehicles, and property.

Classroom Security
Classrooms and labs are equipped with deadbolt locks. Maps are located in every room and include a floor plan highlighting building information and emergency exits. Emergency response guides are located in every classroom and office on campus.

Code Blue Emergency Phone System
21 Code Blue emergency call boxes are located across campus. Calls go directly to Campus Public Safety dispatch with the push of a button.

Residence Life Staff
A full-time residence hall director resides in each building, and resident assistants — intensely trained student staff members — live on each floor. These support systems are responsible for assisting and acting as resources for residents.

Safety Escort
Campus Public Safety officers are available to escort students on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any reason. Call 630-844-6140.

Emergency Closing Policy

In cases of anticipated inclement weather, members of the Aurora University senior management team consult about closing options. When making such decision, the goal is always to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, and staff. Members of AU senior management confer with weather officials, but also work closely with municipal and village leaders. Sometimes local school districts or utility companies also are consulted.

University closing information will be made available online, via the AU Alert emergency email and texting system, and on local broadcast outlets.

More Information

For more information on emergency preparedness and procedures, visit the emergency information page.