Preparing for a safe semester

The University provides a number of services, tools and resources to help students, faculty, librarians, and staff across our three campuses proactively prepare for a safe academic year. 

In emergency situations, call 911, then (24/7/365; Campus Safety can direct your call to the right service):

• U of T St. George Campus Safety: 416-978-2222  

• U of T Mississauga Campus Safety: 905-569-4333  

• U of T Scarborough Campus Safety: 416-978-2222 

Students, staff, faculty and librarians all have access to these tools to ensure a safe semester. Familiarize yourself with these before you need them! 

In the event of an urgent situation, the University notifies the community via the UTAlert  system. All members of the U of T community are automatically subscribed using their official University email address. Users are encouraged to add a mobile number to receive text notifications and can manage their subscription preferences on the UTAlert webpage. 

The U of T Campus Safety App is a critical resource to support the safety and well-being of our community. It is available for free download at Google Play and the Apple App Store. It integrates with U of T’s safety and security systems to help students, faculty, staff and librarians move more safely on and off-campus. 

The U of T Campus Safety App includes the following features: 

• The  Live Chat with Campus Safety  feature immediately connects users with U of T Campus Safety staff, who are available on all three campuses 24 hours/7 days a week   

• The  Mobile Bluelight feature sends the user’s location on one of U of T’s campuses to Campus Safety in case of crisis   

• The  Virtual TravelSafer  feature allows Campus Safety to monitor a user’s route by user request when coming to or leaving one of U of T’s campuses until reaching a destination. 

• The Work Alone program is designed to create a safer environment for community members working in an isolated part of campus. 

The Community Safety Office is a tri-campus service that offers short-term support and assistance to students, staff, faculty members, librarians, departments and organizational units with personal and/or workplace safety concerns, including:   

• Stalking and harassment 

• Bullying and intimidation

• Threats 

• Intimate partner violence 

• Family violence 

• Workplace conflict and volatile behaviour 

The Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre is a tri-campus service that supports students, staff, faculty and librarians at the University of Toronto who have experienced, heard about, witnessed, or are supporting someone affected by sexual assault, sexual harassment or other forms of sexualized or gender-based violence.

It also provides education and training for individuals interested in learning how to support survivors of sexualized and gender-based violence and build a culture of consent. Confidential and non-judgmental appointments and consultations are available. 

• Sexual & Gender Diversity Office: o​​​​​​ffers confidential and sensitive support on matters of homophobia, transphobia and other forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. It also provides supportive community programming. 

• UTM and UTSC Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Offices: provide guidance and support to students, staff, faculty and librarians on these respective campuses in resolving issues that involve equity, discrimination or harassment.      

• Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office: provides services to support university members in their efforts to foster environments that are intentionally racially diverse and inclusive through the advancement of equitable practices, education and training and the provision of complaints resolution supports on matters of race, faith and intersecting identities as guided by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. 

• The University’s 13 Divisional HR Offices are a resource to make complaints, ask questions, or seek support. Note that there are no repercussions for raising a concern or complaint, and that the Offices will support you through these processes. 

• U of T Telus Health Student Support (formerly U of T My SSP): mental health support for all U of T students. Offers free, real-time and/or appointment-based confidential, 24-hour support for any concern. You can call or chat with a counsellor directly from your phone wherever you are in up to 146 different languages.  

• Employee & Family Assistance Program: offers confidential short-term counselling, coaching, information and support for all types of issues relating to mental health, health management and achieving greater personal and workplace well-being. 

Students, faculty, teaching assistants, staff, librarians and IT professionals can find tailored resources and best practices for staying safe online on the Security Matters website.

Please visit the Environmental Health and Safety website for COVID-19 guidelines and resources.