Register for the GVSUAlert! Emergency Notification System for alerts by text or voice (in addition to automatic alerts to GVSU email accounts).

Whenever an emergency occurs that affects the university community, big5vn.com/emergency will be updated with the most current and confirmed information.

Create a Smart911 profile to help dispatchers obtain the information they need to help you quickly in an emergency.

GVPD provides a Safewalk Program for on campus pedestrians. To request a Safewalk (Allendale Campus and Grand Rapids Campuses), call 616-331-3255.

Sign-up for the free Laker Guardian mobile safety app with your GVSU email (for use at all university campuses).

Students, faculty, and staff can ride any Rapid bus route for free with a GVSU ID card.

GVPD is equipped with tools to help with unforeseen vehicle complications on campus. Services are free of charge and include:

• Battery jump starts
• Vehicle unlocks
• Local service recommendations to assist with flat tires

Call 616-331-3255 (Allendale Campus and Grand Rapids Campuses).

The GVPD active shooter response resource provides guidance to individuals who may be caught in an active shooter situation, and discusses how to react when law enforcement responds. 

GVSU is committed to being a safe and healthy environment for all. This includes students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors, especially those who are minors. As a public university open to everyone, the university welcomes children and teenagers on our campuses for a variety of programs and activities planned by the university or by outside organizations. In all situations, adults are expected to be positive role models for minors, acting in a respectful and responsible manner consistent with the mission and values of the university. To promote this vision, the university publishes and enforces policies, procedures, guidelines, and resources that have the goal of promoting health, safety, and security for minors on our campuses.

Safety Locations

Cancellation/Closure Policy

616-331-3255 (Non-Emergency- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) - use this number for ALL campuses
i82.big5vn.com/dps
Public Safety Staff Directory & Email Addresses

Allendale Campus: 

• 1011 Service Building (SER) - 11106 Service Dr, Allendale, MI 49401
• Lobby Hours: 8am-5pm (Monday-Friday)

Grand Rapids Campuses: 

• 609 Watson St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (near the Winter Lot on the Pew Campus)
• Police and/or Security are available at this location 24 hours a day; there is a phone in the main entrance to contact Dispatch. 

Safety and security information for students living on campus.

Whenever an emergency occurs that affects the university community, big5vn.com/emergency will be updated with the most current and confirmed information. This website also provides additional information for assistance during an emergency.

Ottawa County Central Dispatch (Allendale Campus)

• 800-249-0911 (Non-Emergency)

Grand Rapids Police Department Dispatch (Grand Rapids Campuses)

• 616-456-3400 (Non-Emergency)

Local Jails, Courts, and Hospitals

Before Violation:  Submit to GVSU Anonymous Reporting System
Students, faculty, and staff may report planned activities in advance of a student violation of health policy via the existing GVSU Anonymous Reporting system hosted by an external compliance and ethics organization which coordinates with the GVSU Division of Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management. If appropriate, Legal will forward the complaint to both Dr. Aaron Haight and Dr. Andy Beachnau who will, subsequently, determine action (e.g. outreach to individuals or businesses, referral to law enforcement) [Example: student reports rumor of a future event in violation of state limits on gathering sizes in a local apartment complex; GVPD is notified and DSA contacts the apartment complex]

During Violation: Call 911
Students, faculty and staff may report student violations of health policy already in progress by calling 911 for immediate response. [Example: Ottawa County Sheriff is notified via citizen call and requests assistance from GVPD to investigate a party in an apartment complex; party is dispersed, police report is filed, and GVPD refers violations to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution]

After Violation: Submit to Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution
Students, faculty and staff may refer student violations which have already occurred directly to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. [Example: Faculty member submits social media photo evidence of a party occurring the previous night; OSCCR adjudicates per university policy]

All reports of social gatherings and parties in violation of state or local law will be shared by the Division of Student Affairs with relevant landlords, property owners, township and county health personnel, and law enforcement authorities.

Local: Submit to Ottawa County (email) or Kent County (website) tip lines
Any citizen - including faculty, staff, and students - may report violations of COVID-19 state or local Executive Orders to the Ottawa County Stay Home Stay Safe tip email or via the Kent County "submit a complaint" tip form (see link on right side of website).

The Grand Valley Police Department provides telephone numbers for emergency and non-emergency reporting and offers assistance in filing a report and support through the legal process:

• Emergencies: 911
• Grand Valley Police Department: 616-331-3255
• Detroit Center: 313-596-2200
• Meijer Campus in Holland:  616-355-1100
• Muskegon Regional Center: 231-777-0545
• Traverse City Regional Center: 231-995-1111

Silent Observer Ottawa County (Allendale Campus)

• 877-88-SILENT (745368)
• 877-887-4536
• Text "OCMTIP and message" to 274367 (CRIMES)

Silent Observer Kent County (Grand Rapids Campuses)

• 616-774-2345
• 866-774-2345

If you find yourself worried about the well-being of a GVSU student (a student in your class, someone you live with/near, someone in your student organization, etc.), we encourage you to submit a CARE referral. This form can be found on the reporting page. 

The University Counseling Center provides short-term individual and long-term group therapy at no cost to currently registered GVSU students. Urgent Situation or Crisis.

The Trinity Health GVSU Campus Health Center is a full-service, on-campus health center for GVSU students, faculty, and staff.

ENCOMPASS Employee Assistance Program (800-788-8630), coordinated by Human Resources Health & Wellness, provides GVSU faculty, staff, and their dependents with access to free counseling sessions.

If you have experienced interpersonal violence, consider these first steps: Victim Rights, Options, and Resources Brochure

Victim Advocate:  Kaylee Wolff, Victim Advocate

• 616-331-2742
• [email protected]
• 1201 Kirkhof Center (Allendale Campus)

Office of Civil Rights and Title IX

• Kathleen VanderVeen, Acting Title IX Coordinator
• [email protected]
• 616-331-9530
• 4015 James H. Zumberge Hall (Allendale Campus)
• Hours: 9am-5pm and virtual
• In the absence of the Title IX Coordinator, the Deputy Title IX Coordinator assumes all Title IX related responsibilities. Contact [email protected] or 616-331-9530.

Grand Valley Police Department

• 911 for emergencies
• 616-331-3255 (Non-Emergency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• [email protected]
• Police Staff Directory

Confidential Counseling Services (Students): University Counseling Center

• 616-331-3266
• [email protected]
• 206 Student Services Center
• The University Counseling Center provides free and confidential help to GVSU students for a variety of personal and emotional situations, including sexual assault.

Confidential Counseling Services (Employees):  Encompass

• 800-788-8630
• The university's employee assistance program, Encompass, provides professional and confidential counseling to all employees and their household dependents.

Medical Services (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Services): YWCA OF West Central Michigan

• 616-776-RAPE (776-7273)
• 25 Sheldon Blvd., Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Medical Services (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Services): Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence 

• 616-392-2829
• 411 Butternut Dr., Holland, MI 49424
• Formerly: Center for Women in Transition 

In February 2018, the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board through the Campus Sexual Assault workgroup convened by Sue Snyder in 2017, released the following resource handbook for survivors of campus sexual assault. Updated and additional information is available at http://www.michigan.gov/CampusSexualAssault.

• A Resource Handbook for Campus Sexual Assault Survivors, Friends and Family
• Una Guía de Recursos para Sobrevivientes de Abuso Sexual en el Campus, Amigos y Familiares

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports include crime statistics, fire statistics, safety and security policies.

The Department of Public Safety maintains a daily crime log for criminal incidents reported to the department on Clery designated property all GVSU Campuses. The crime log can be reviewed in person during normal business hours at the Grand Valley Police Department (1011 Service Building (SER) on the Allendale Campus), or a printed copy will be provided upon request by contacting the Grand Valley Department of Public Safety at (616)331-3255.