Campus Safety

The University Police Department (UPD) at Chico State is committed to students’ safety and success. UPD is located on campus at the intersection of W. 2nd Street and Normal Avenue. UPD is staffed 24 hours a day by both sworn and non-sworn personnel. UPD officers patrol on and off campus, in areas where our students live and frequent. UPD’s Community Service Unit offers the following safety programs to the campus community, at no cost:

Freshmen Safe Start

Freshmen Safe Start is an interactive safety program for incoming freshmen. The program was first implemented in 2006 and is a collaborative effort between UPD, University Housing, Psychological Counseling and Wellness, and the Associated Students’ Women’s Center. Freshmen Safe Start is mandatory for all freshmen who will be living in University Housing, and is open to all freshmen and transfer students.

R.A.D.

R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) is a free self defense program for women, which is offered monthly to female students, faculty, and staff.

Campus Connection – Safety Escort

UPD offers a safe method of transportation for students, faculty and staff who are uncomfortable walking alone at night. The service runs from 6:00 p.m. until midnight every day when classes are in session. Campus Connection can transport riders to and from University classrooms, parking lots, and residence halls, including the University Village Apartments on Nord Avenue. Campus Connection or Safety Escorts can be obtained by calling UPD at 898-5555 (extension 5555 from any campus phone) or by utilizing one of the Blue Light Phones conveniently located throughout the campus.

Blue Light Phones

There are 31 Blue Light Phones on the Chico State campus. Once the phone is activated, a two-way open line is established between the caller and a UPD Dispatcher. Blue Light Phone calls have priority over routine business calls. Blue Light Phones can be used to report a crime, medical emergency or suspicious situation, or to request a Campus Connection or Safety Escort.

Operation Identification

Students, faculty, and staff can borrow engravers from UPD, and use the engravers to permanently label valuable items, thus making the items less attractive to thieves.

UPD complies with the Jeanne Clery Act, a Federal law requiring all college and University campuses to publish crime statistics for specified offenses. Statistics for the past three years are available on our website. Additionally, the campus community will be alerted, via campus e-mail notifications, of any serious public safety issues.

To view the crime statistics, or for more information on UPD’s safety programs, please visit our website