Yale University
- Health & Safety

Heavy Security

The university does everything in its power to keep the students safe. There are always plenty of security officers roaming around campus (and they are very friendly, I must add). There are plenty of options for late night transportation (such as the mini-bus and security escort service) so students don't have to walk back to their dorms alone. There are also many "blue lights" scattered around campus. These devices have an emergency button you can press and security will be on site within the minute. They also have a phone attached so you can request a security escort. As far as I know, every residential college dean and freshman counselor provides freshmen with their cell phone numbers within the first week for emergency purposes as well. Security tries its best to keep the students aware of situations on campus, and although I receive more emails from the police chief about muggings than I would prefer, I generally feel very safe on campus.

New Haven Is Great

Of course - you live in a city. And if you haven't before, well, then it is going to be a little bit more dangerous than your gated community. But it is really hard to find things to complain about here - security does a great job, alcohol is treated as a health issue, not a criminal one, and the campus doesn't create unsafe places.

Not as Bad as You've Heard

If you stay on or near campus, you should be fine. New Haven and Yale Police are on top of things quickly. However, it's always a good idea to walk with other people, because the occasional purse theft kind of stuff does happen.

Yale Police and Yale Security have always been very pleasant to me and seem to simply want to protect us, not waste time breaking up parties.