» Student Safety

Public Safety programs and services

Campus emergency phones

Students can push the button on any blue light phone located all over the campus for a direct line to help.

Panther Guardian

Download the free Rave Guardian safety app to check in with family, friends, the Chapman University Department of Public Safety, or others you trust to help you stay safe both on and off campus. The Panther Guardian app is an effective way for students, staff, and faculty to communicate with Public Safety via a smart phone.

Panther Alert

In the event of an emergency on campus the Panther Alert system will notify your student through a text message or call. Students are automatically included on the distribution list, but for parents to be included, students must add parent information on the emergency contact form in the Panther Alert System.

Crime alert bulletins

If a crime occurs on or near campus that may impact the community, notification will be
sent out in the form of a Crime Alert Bulletin. These bulletins include details as to the crime
in question, the location and possible suspects. They can be found at on the Public Safety blog.

Vehicle jumpstarts

Public Safety offers the service of jumpstarting your student’s vehicle should the battery give out while on campus.

Rape Awareness Defense classes (R.A.D.)

The nationally acclaimed R.A.D. program is offered to females of the Chapman community.
The Rape Aggression Defense System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and
techniques for women.

P.A.W.S.

Prevention, Awareness, and Working together for Safety is a crime prevention program
that concentrates on strategies to avoid being a victim, being aware of surroundings, the
power of a community watch mindset and the responsibility to be a good community
member.

Property services

Found property can be turned in at the main Public Safety office. Items will be documented
and held for 90 days for pickup by their owners.

Safety in residence halls

In an effort to provide students with a safe and secure living environment, the Office of Residence Life and Public Safety are involved in monitoring and enforcing various safety procedures, alert systems and action plans. These include: 

• Secure residence halls: All entrances to residence halls are locked 24 hours a day. Chapman students can enter as they please with their key cards.
  • Community directors (professional staff) supervise resident advisors who are assigned to each floor of the residence halls. Resident advisors are on duty 24 hours a day. Safety and emergency response are included as part of the residential life staff’s training each year.
• Lock-out assistance: If you are locked out of your dorm/apartment, you can contact the Office of Residence Life and First Year Experience or the Residential Support Desk in the Henley Hall basement for a lock-out code.
• Fire safety drills: There are fire safety procedures in place to ensure a hazard-free living environment for students, which includes unannounced fire drills conducted in the residence halls. These drills serve to familiarize students with the appropriate steps to take in the event of an actual fire emergency.
• Emergency facility maintenance: Students can call Public Safety immediately for emergency situations (such as plumbing issues, electrical hazards, broken windows or doors) that could cause safety/health risks or property damage and that occur during after-hours.
• Eliminating suspected illegal activity: If you suspect illegal activity is taking place and you feel unsafe, you can contact your Resident Advisor or Public Safety.

Safety in Orange, California

The City of Orange is one of Orange County’s most desirable and historic neighborhoods because of its charm, weather, convenience, and the people who make up the community. Some features for those living in Orange include:

• Walkability: Chapman students living on campus can walk just a few blocks (down well-lit streets) to Old Towne Orange, where they can shop, dine and study among fellow students and local residents.
• Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program in Orange that enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. It involves:
  • Neighbors get to know each other and work together in a program of mutual assistance.
  • Residents are trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods.
  • Crime prevention techniques are implemented, such as home security, Operation Identification, etc.
• SafeOC: SafeOC is a localized version of the national “If You See Something, Say Something®” public awareness campaign. This initiative ensures that safety alerts and incidents are communicated throughout the community to keep all residents informed and secure.

Living off-campus

Chapman owns various off-campus apartments that prioritize safety and convenience. Even if you live in a Chapman-owned apartment complex that is situated off-campus, you’ll still have access to all of the housing resources and services, including:

• Resident Advisors who are on duty daily.
• Secure residence halls: All entrances to off-campus residence halls are locked 24 hours a day. Chapman students can enter as they please with their key cards.
• Daily shuttle service: Worried about having a safe and reliable method of transportation while living off-campus? Shuttle service runs between all Chapman owned off-campus apartments and Chapman campus daily.
• Chapman’s Office of Community Relations is readily available to help students who are living off-campus navigate through conflicts.

In addition, for those looking to live in housing not owned by Chapman, our off-campus housing website provides a roommate finder so you can live with fellow students.

Ask a student

Want to ask a current student about their experience? Feel free to reach out. They would be happy to help!