Safety & Security

The safety, security, and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and guests is our priority. However, maintaining a safe living and learning environment requires the full support and cooperation of the entire campus community, and we believe in taking a proactive––and collaborative––approach to prevention and security.

From our highly experienced campus police department to our personal safety programs to our partnerships in the local community, WPI works collaboratively to keep our campus a safe and enjoyable place to live and visit.

WPI Police Department

The WPI Police Department, located in Founders Hall (lower level), is open 24 hours a day, providing around-the-clock protection and services to the campus community. Dispatcher personnel and police personnel are on duty at all times.

Reporting an Emergency or Crime

We strongly recommend that you promptly report emergencies and/or criminal activity to the campus police by calling (on a campus phone) 5555 or 5433. If you are using an off-campus line, call 508-831-5555 or 508-831-5433. For the Worcester Police, dial 911.

There are also 108 "blue-light" emergency phones located throughout the campus and we encourage all community members to familiarize themselves with their locations, which can be found online. By simply pressing the red emergency button, you will be dialing the campus police dispatcher. A WPI police officer will be dispatched immediately to investigate the emergency or crime, and to take the appropriate action.

Safety Notifications

WPI provides notifications about serious campus or local crime that poses a threat to its community by posting safety advisories and/or alerts online. In the event of a power outage, advisories/alerts will be posted in public areas on campus. View current safety notifications.

WPI Alert is the university’s Emergency Notification system. It sends emergency messages to your mobile or fixed device of choice so you get emergency messages quickly wherever you are. By providing accurate, up-to-date emergency contact information, you enable WPI Alert to send simultaneous text messaging, voicemail and email to you and your designated emergency contacts.

Learn More about WPI Alert

Review our Community Response Checklist in the case of an active shooter on campus, including what actions should be taken, what to report, and who to contact.

View the Checklist (PDF)

Safety While Abroad

WPI is committed to the health, safety, and security of all students who participate in the Global Projects Program. The Interdisciplinary & Global Studies Division (IGSD) supports safety in all of our programs through a series of mandatory pre-departure orientations that address key issues related to health, safety, and security off-campus. We provide detailed logistics and safety information through our Going Global handbooks prepared for each site (students are encouraged to supplement these formal preparations with their own research about their planned project site), and we maintain a 24-hour emergency response service that is available to assist all students while they are off-campus.

Visit the Global Projects Program for more details.

Monitoring and Recording Criminal Activity at WPI

A computerized incident report system is currently used by all WPI Police to ensure that accurate statistical data is available on a variety of activities such as:

Report of crimes
Unusual events
Suspicious activity
Report of injuries
Report of emergencies

The Worcester Police Department has been asked to monitor, record, and report to the WPI Police Department all criminal activity at off-campus WPI properties, including properties occupied by recognized student organizations. We have also asked the Worcester Police to report crimes that are being committed in the peripheral property area that could pose a threat to our campus community, so that we can notify our community of this potential threat, in a timely manner.

Fire Safety

Learn more about fire safety prevention, response, and regulations around campus and in our residence halls.

WPI Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a volunteer student group dedicated to supporting the WPI community twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week with first responder level emergency care. WPI EMS responds with WPI Police within minutes of the event of a medical emergency.

Learn More about WPI EMS