Indiana University is committed to the safety and well-being of all members of the IU community. The campus and city work hard to protect you and make Bloomington a safe place to live.
IU has a dedicated and helpful police department (IUPD). The IUPD is a support resource you can use when you have questions related to personal safety.
If you ever feel that you are in danger, you should immediately call 9-1-1 for assistance.
This video and other safety initiatives are paid for using the Yaolin Wang Endowment.
Read Yaolin’s story and learn more about the Endowment.IU wants to provide a safe and positive environment for everyone. If you think you’re being discriminated against for any reason, you should report the incident.
Personal relationships differ from country to country. In the United States, we highly value mutual respect. You don’t have to tolerate any violence, including sexual violence, or intimidation even if you’re in a relationship with the person.
If you’ve been the victim of an event the university and local law enforcement can help you. We strongly encourage you to seek help.
If you report a problem or issue to the university, IU won't tell your family or community. The U.S. government has a law, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), about your privacy that means in general, we are not allowed to share any information with your family unless you give specific permission for us to do so, or unless there is a serious threat to health or safety.
IU has a system called IU Notify to spread emergency notifications. It sends out warning messages if there is an event on or around the Bloomington campus, like severe weather, fires, violent crimes, and dangerous situations.
Your IU email address is automatically enrolled in IU Notify when you come to campus. You can also add your phone number (for text or call notifications) or other email addresses. You can even add your family members so they receive these notifications as well.
Sometimes, Bloomington experiences adverse weather. It’s important to know what to do before an incident happens.
Severe thunderstorms and tornados can occur in Indiana. Although they can happen any time in the year, they are more likely in the spring and summer. The National Weather Service (NWS) provides warnings when severe weather is occurring.
A “tornado watch” means weather conditions are favorable for a tornado, and this is a time to be aware and prepare to take action. A “tornado warning” means you need to seek shelter immediately by moving to an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows (basements and bathrooms are often your best option).
In the winter, we experience cold temperatures and snowstorms. Usually there is plenty of notice of these events so you have time to prepare (making sure you have enough food and supplies for a couple of days).
There are other emergency situations that could happen anytime, anywhere. Knowing what to do in a situation could make all the difference.
Learn about other emergency situationsMost students walk or bike around campus. Make sure that you're aware of the rules and regulations that govern walking or biking. For example, a pedistrian (a person who is walking) only has the right-of-way when you are already in the street. Vehicles do not have to slow down or stop for pedistrians waiting to cross the street.
