Campus Safety FAQ for Parents

Henderson wants every student on campus to feel safe whether they are going to class in the morning or returning to their residence hall after a late night at the library. Our University Police troop of eight, led by Chief Jonathan Campbell, are licensed officers who are prepared around the clock for variety of situations. Working with the police, campus administration has put many measures in place to ensure preparedness at every level.

How will students know if there is an emergency on campus?
Henderson employs the RaveAlert system to distribute information via text messages, voicemail and e-mail to the campus community in the event of inclement weather or other emergency. Faculty, staff and students are invited to provide their contact information to RaveAlert after logging into the MyHenderson portion of the website.

What other measures has Henderson taken to ensure campus safety?
• Safety walk: Each year the entire outdoor campus is evaluated by faculty, staff and students to determine if there are areas that could be improved by additional lighting, etc. Changes are made regularly.
• Emergency call boxes: Henderson is in the process of implementing emergency call boxes around campus so that police can be immediately alerted to any needs.
• Reddie Rides: Student Services offers “Reddie Rides,” transportation via golf cart, for students who need a lift across campus after dark. The carts are driven by off-duty police officers and student workers Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

If there is an emergency on campus how will I know where to go/what to do?
Henderson has a comprehensive emergency plan that includes floor plans that outline both the emergency evacuation routes and shelter-in-place locations in each building. These are located on the Henderson web pages for each building and posted inside each building.

Are university personnel, other than police, prepared to handle an emergency?
Also, all university police officers and residence life staff receive emergency response training on a regular basis to keep information fresh. All incoming faculty and staff view an emergency response training video at orientation. There are also a variety of programs offered on campus to address emergency situations from medical and mental health needs to abuse prevention and recognition programs.

If you have other specific questions about campus safety, please contact University Police at 870-230-5098 or visit their pages on the Henderson website.