Campus Safety, Preparedness, and Our Shared Community Responsibility

January 26, 2026

Dear members of the Columbia community:

As we begin a new semester, the Office of Public Safety extends a warm welcome back to campus.

The Columbia Public Safety team is committed to professionalism and bringing a community-oriented mindset to our work. Safeguarding our campus is a community effort and through engagement and partnership with our students, faculty, and staff, our team helps ensure all members of our community feel welcome and free to engage fully in campus life.

At the start of every semester our office provides our community a reminder and update on our campus safety approach and important information on resources and best practices to keep you safe in and around campus. Please take the time to review this information.

Safety Resources

Public Safety’s website has information and resources for emergency situations and crime prevention. In an emergency, call or text 911, and then contact Public Safety. Please save these emergency phone numbers:

  • Morningside Campus Emergency Line: 212-854-5555
  • Manhattanville Campus Emergency Line: 212-853-3333
  • Medical Center Campus Emergency Line: 212-305-7979
  • Lamont Campus Emergency Line: 845-365-8555

Stay Connected

  • Install the Lion Safe App to request emergency services, access shuttle schedules and maps, and share your location with a friend in real-time.
  • Make sure you’re signed up with current contact information for emergency texts.

Get Around Safely

  • Columbia Shuttles run Monday-Friday connecting the Morningside, Manhattanville, Lamont-Doherty, and Medical Center campuses, as well as Fort Lee.
  • TripShot App: Track shuttle buses in real-time, plan your trip, and sign up for alerts about your favorite routes and stops.
  • Evening Shuttle (Via): On-demand service until 3:00 a.m. that services a coverage area surrounding the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses. Ride with up to two additional CUID holders.
  • Safety Escorts: Available across all campuses.
  • Safe Havens: Neighborhood businesses ready to help if you feel unsafe, identified by a “Safe Haven” placard in their window.
  • Blue Light Emergency Call Boxes: Placed in various locations across campus in case of emergency.

Morningside Campus Access Status

  • The Morningside campus is currently open to CUID holders, registered alumni, and approved guests.
  • This webpage has additional information about open entrances and how to register guests.

Situated in the heart of New York City, we are acutely aware of the always evolving public safety landscape. Below are some of the recent actions we’ve taken to ensure our public safety readiness:

  • Simulated, scenario training exercises for Public Safety personnel across all shifts and campuses, including training in CPR and other life-saving actions such as “stop the bleed.”
  • Comprehensive building walkthroughs of all academic buildings beginning on the Morningside campus to evaluate current safety measures and identify building-specific safety improvements.
  • Critical campus infrastructure surveys conducted in partnership with law enforcement.
  • Comprehensive review and update of the University’s emergency operations plans, procedures, and communications.
  • Increasing preparedness educational training offerings across our schools and departments, including a January 27 webinar conducted by NYPD Shield. All members of our community can also register for an upcoming Public Safety Situational Awareness Training webinar.

Every member of the Columbia community is an essential partner in public safety. You might be the first person to notice an unsafe situation, and if you see something, say something by contacting Public Safety.We are always available to help—24/7/365.

Take care,

Brian McPherson
Deputy Vice President, Public Safety