Office of the Chancellor

Safety, Security, and Well-Being: A Shared Responsibility

August 27, 2025

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

The safety, security, and well-being of our campus community is our top priority here at Purdue Fort Wayne. With thousands of people on campus each day, including visitors, it’s critical that we all do our part to help ensure the general welfare of the university community.

I’d like to share some of the most important resources that are available for our students, faculty, and staff. The following represent just a few of the ways we can work together to help ensure our own safety, as well as that of other members of the campus community.  

Call 9-1-1 in an Emergency 
In the event of an emergency—police, fire, mental health crisis, imminent threat to self or others—do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 immediately. Calling 9-1-1 is your direct line to summoning first responders. Non-emergency calls may be directed to University Police at 260-481-6827.

Emergency Text Alerts and Critical Notifications
Information about emergencies, including life-threatening situations, is available at your fingertips via your mobile devices. Time-sensitive text alerts can be easily pushed out to you via our emergency-notification network—but you must sign up to receive them. Log in now to goPFW to register your mobile devices in the event of a campus emergency. It only takes a few moments to complete. This will ensure timely delivery of critical information regarding immediate concerns about safety and security on campus.  

University Police 
The University Police department is pivotal to our commitment to campus safety and security. Our officers participate in Crisis Intervention Team training that prepares them for responding to individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. They also wear bodycams to ensure even more transparency and security during the course of their efforts to keep our campus protected. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. Non-emergency calls may be directed to University Police at 260-481-6827. This number is monitored 24/7.  

Student Conduct and Care
The Office of Student Conduct and Care provides important advice, information, and services for students—and also is a valued resource for faculty and staff with regard to the welfare of our students. Central to the care and well-being of our students is a highly trained, multidisciplinary CARE Team that can proactively intervene and provide timely support for any type of student concern. Anyone can submit a CARE Team referral for any student, and someone will follow up with that individual as quickly as possible. Be aware that the CARE Team is not an immediate response and should be utilized in conjunction with other emergency steps in a crisis situation. To report a concern, submit a CARE Referral.

Student Mental Health and Counseling Services
Sometimes students just need a little extra help and support during stressful or emotional times. 

• Our Center for Student Counseling, which is part of the Division of Campus and Community Wellbeing, provides in-person professional counseling services for a variety of life’s challenges—depression, anxiety, relationship issues, stress management, etc. Students can make an appointment or just stop in during walk-in hours. Services are free to all students. The center is located on the ground floor of Kettler Hall, just beyond the seating area of Einstein Bros. Bagels. To make an appointment, contact the center at [email protected] or 260-481-6200.
• The counseling center also includes the Mastodon Relaxation Zone, which can be accessed by any student during open hours. There is a quiet study space, coffee and tea bar, low sensory room, a small food pantry, and a wellness library.
• TimelyCare is a new, free virtual health and well-being platform offered to all students. Designed for college campuses, TimelyCare connects students to a licensed mental health professional immediately, 24/7, with unlimited access. Through Timely Care, students also have access to a peer-support discussion board community, self-help resources, and nine scheduled counseling telehealth sessions per academic year with a provider of their choice. That’s in addition to unlimited in-person services at the Center for Student Counseling. Students are encouraged to download the app and create a profile at Timelycare.com/PFW.
• If anyone is experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1. For an emergency that is not life-threatening, 9-8-8 is a mental health crisis and support line that can be called or texted at any time.

Faculty and Staff Mental Health and Counseling Services
The university provides a range of services to support the health and well-being of our faculty and staff.

• Faculty, staff, and their immediate family members who are on a Purdue-sponsored health plan may access confidential counseling through the Office of Human Resources Employee Assistance Program. Counseling sessions are offered through Bowen Health, which has 12 locations in northeast Indiana and also provides an EAP therapist on campus the third Monday of each month. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 800-342-5653 or at bowenhealth.org.
• The Center for Healthy Living (the university’s health clinic) also offers free, virtual behavioral health counseling through One-to-One Health. Following an assessment, an employee may be referred to an Anthem in-network provider. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 765-742-0244 or via the Center for Healthy Living portal.
• LiveHealth Online, offered through Anthem, provides tier 1, in-network virtual access to licensed behavioral health professionals. Employees can access LiveHealth Online any time and do not need to exhaust EAP or other options prior to scheduling.  
• If anyone is experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1.

University Health Clinic
The university’s health clinic, the Center for Healthy Living, plays an important role in keeping our students, faculty, and staff healthy and well. From general check-ups to immunizations to lab work, this team is here for all members of our university community. The clinic is located in Walb Student Union, Room 234. Appointments may be scheduled through the patient portal or by calling 765-494-0111.

Weather-Related Emergencies
When severe weather is in the forecast, the university’s senior leadership team monitors the conditions from official sources. Whenever possible, we announce weather-related campus closures or delays by 6 a.m. for daytime classes and 3 p.m. for evening classes. Weather-related information for both Purdue Fort Wayne and Indiana University Fort Wayne is communicated via university email, social media, the university’s home page, the Digital Display Network, text alerts—one more reason to sign up—and local and regional media outlets.

The university’s comprehensive Campus Safety and Security website includes essential information related to various aspects of safety, security, and well-being.

Finally, I want to thank each of you for taking the time to familiarize yourself with this essential information and these important resources that were developed with your safety and security in mind. Preparedness is key when it comes to knowing how to respond, and where to seek help in an emergency.

I wish each of you a safe and successful academic year here at Purdue Fort Wayne.

Sincerely,

Ron Elsenbaumer, Chancellor