Student Safety

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) works 24/7 to keep community members safe across the college’s urban campus. DPS controls campus, oversees the on-demand RISDRides service, and offers training, education and other resources to enhance community safety.

Report an emergency

If you or someone you know may be in danger or is having a medical, mental health or safety emergency, call the 24-hour Public Safety emergency line at 401 454-6666 (extension 6666 from a campus phone). 

Public Safety Officers are trained EMTs and can respond to emergency situations on or near the RISD campus.

CALL 401 454-6666

RISDAlerts

The RISDAlert emergency notification system uses email, text messages and push notifications via the RISD mobile app for quick distribution of time-sensitive information to students, faculty, and staff. The RISDAlert system rebroadcasts wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) in addition to campus-specific safety messages.

To ensure that you receive the information you need in the event of an emergency, we encourage the use of all three RISDAlert notification methods:

  1. Email: RISD email addresses are automatically enrolled in the RISDAlert system.
  2. SMS text message: RISD students, faculty and staff must designate a cell phone number in Workday to receive text notifications. Here’s how to update your contact information in Workday.
  3. Push: RISD students, faculty and staff may download the RISD Mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and enable push notifications.

In the event of a major campus-wide emergency, alerts will also appear in a prominent banner at the top of this website with a link to emergency.risd.edu for more details.

If you are a parent and receive an alert, contact your student to make sure they have also received the alert.

More safety resources

CARE Network referral

Access this resource if you or a peer are in distress and in need of timely, preventative support.

PERSONAL ALARMS

Visit our office at 30 Waterman Street/South Hall and ask for a free personal alarm keychain for use in emergency situations.  The personal alarm can be carried in a bag, your pocket, or even attached to a belt.  When activated, the personal alarm emits an audible sound which attracts attention, acts as a call for help or may even scare off an attacker. 

More Safety Info

Find in-depth public safety information and documents at info.risd.edu.

Read our annual safety report

Each year in accordance with the Clery Act, we share a security and fire safety report that includes crime statistics, campus security procedures and institutional safety policies. To download our comprehensive report, follow the link below.

Download the report

Registrations and permit applications

Related links