How safe is the University of Chicago?

[kuntalghosh]

As an international student who joined UChicago last August, I must say - the situation is far worse than I anticipated. I've never felt this insecure and unsafe while travelling alone. People should really consider this before deciding to join the University.

[laurastella]

Thank you for this video, Makayla. I believe it's important to talk about it, regardless of each one's opinion. I appreciate you saying this is not "normal". It shouldn't be, as you say. The whole situation is even more disturbing to students whose home Country knows no gun violence... this news comes out as real trauma. It helps to have a space to share the emotions attached to it. Stay safe!

[edwinlee]

I attended 1968-1972. I graduated without being a direct victim of a crime. I did not escape being the secondary victim of a sexual assault. We were not safe back then, and we knew it. The "Townies" included very dangerous criminals. Hyde Park was, and is, a hunting area for the neighborhoods surrounding it. Murder, sexual assault, armed robbery, muggings, were constant threats. Situational awareness was very important. Having survived a serious violent criminal attack when I was 12, I already knew that bad things could happen to me. We had about three murders a year back then. At least now you don't have Eldridge Cleaver preaching that rape of white women is a necessary part of liberation. Sexual assault was a constant threat and most people knew someone who knew someone who was raped. We didn't have an on call dean for sexual assault back then, but we needed one. My roommate and I were the only males we knew who had not been mugged/robbed. I ran cross country; runners were stabbed the year before and the year after my four years. Women in classes which ended after sunset usually found male students to walk them home, back then, for men, it was an obligation, but not a way to find a girlfriend. In groups of five, you were pretty safe, but not safe. I may have been paranoid, but I didn't know anyone who ever said he or she felt safe. We had two UChicago Police officers murdered while I attended. Those of us who could, tried to appear to be hard targets relative to others. It was very important to male black students to always carry books. Students seldom walked alone after sunset, unless the temperature was in the 20's or below. We knew of a murder or two every year, and we heard of rapes every month, or so it seemed. Criminals were a major concern. I believe that the academics and the opportunity to associate with other students are worth the risk. Don't pretend that UChicago is safe. It is not. If you wanted A's, you would have gone to Harvard. If you wanted to live forever, you would not go to UChicago. The political machine of the city intends the high level of violent crime for the financial benefit for the politicians. PTSD is part of the price. Of course it is worse for the inhabitants of the bad neighborhoods.

[michelepruitt]

Thank you for sharing your experience and feelings. This has been helpful to hear your insight.

[Serenitys]

O block and 63rd are down the street basically 2-4 min drive from Uchicago

[moush]

I got accepted to UChicago for a master's program and I can't help but be paranoid. It was once my dream program but I hardly think I would go there because I hail from a country with stricter gun laws. That and I do want to graduate alive too.

[paix]

Nice video. Real concerns for sure.
The University of Chicago has the largest private police force second to the Vatican.

[AnneGoggansQHHT]

Many great American universities have this issue. Especially the city schools. It’s because the big cities in America are collapsing on a societal level. We’ve been researching, and I don’t think we can trust campus stats. It’s so sad. Amazing universities threatened by degrading cities around them….a sign of our failing society with no assistance or acknowledgement from government.

[darryltbarnes]

I've been lost in the area just south of the university and it was a very dangerous situation. If the they can't stop the crime within the campus boundary, then that is a MAJOR ISSUE.

[davidwilliams-wgxo]

You have created an excellent informative video. Uchicago is obviously one of the greatest schools around. It is profoundly sad that the possibility of assault or robbery or even death is obviously much greater than at many other excellent universities. Thank you for the informative video

[tinalove]

The harsh truth is this university is surrounded by massive GHETTOS on each side NORTH WEST AND SOUTH while the East is the lake. Its so bad they have their own massive police force and private security Army. Yet this isn't enough students are regularly robbed and sometimes killed. Students have to take University transportation of UBER/LYFT around campus at night. Also just traveling outside the area to use the el systems or public city transportation is dangerous. This is because you have to travel through the GHETTOS. This is where people are robbed and killed.

If leaving the University campus it is recommended to AVOID PUBLIC TRANSPORTAION outside the community use UBER/LYFT OR campus transport.

The University needs to spend their $10 billion dollar endowment on GENTRIFYING THE SURROUNDING AREAS. Gentrifying the surrounding areas will make it much safer than more security .

[oceandiscovery]

I also attended the College at the U of C. They gave us whistles to blow in the event we were in any danger on campus. Never used it once

[chaplinhuang]

Woah this is a good video. Glad you share this!

[dineshbamne]

Thank you for your vedio, I was checking safety as my son has selected this college in the list of colleges.

[wendymacgregor]

Your honesty speaks so much! Very proud of you! Stay safe!

[adiveena]

good.You are doing a great job. This will benefit many students. thank you

[carolinefunk]

Are the CTA stops (the Red and Green line) safe? I'm wondering how to travel off campus north to downtown area safely

[snipinmonsta]

Sadly it is right next to the worst part of the country. Please carry something!!!

[williamzhao]

Can't imagine what it's like to go to school in a place full of gangs. It sure sounds scary based on what you said. Stay safe, stay outta 63rd.

[kbkesq]

Transfer! My goodness. 3 students killed in a year.