Student safety is an institutional priority at The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (HSC). The HSC works in coordination with UNM Police, UNM Hospital Security, and cross-campus leadership to support a safe learning and training environment across academic and clinical settings.
According to the UNM Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration, over the past five years, UNM has invested more than $20.4 million into improving security measures across North and Central Campuses. That includes funding for new fencing, new officer positions, new parking lot security cameras, better lighting in parking lots, body cameras for UNM Police Officers and more.
“It really is a system of safeguards designed to protect all people who interact with the facilities, and that includes our students, patients, faculty and staff,” said Felix Funes, the executive director of security at UNM Hospital.
UNM Hospital is one of several buildings on UNM’s North Campus, which also includes the UNM School of Medicine, UNM College of Nursing, UNM College of Pharmacy, UNM College of Population Health, UNM School of Law, and a variety of health care clinics, not to mention dozens of research laboratories. North Campus security is provided by a collaborative effort between UNM Hospital Security, UNM Police, UNM Security, and the UNM Department of Crisis Management and Preparedness. Funes said over the past three years, his team has increased their coverage of this area, specifically in parking lots.
“We've implemented 24/7 security coverage in the hospital's main parking lot, and that includes the Lomas Parking Structure and the North Hospital Parking Tower,” he said.
For staff and students working in clinical areas on the campus outside of normal operating hours, Funes states residents rotating through high-risk areas, such as the Emergency Department, Adult Urgent Care or Pediatric Emergency Department, are assigned a wireless duress button.
If they double press the button when in duress, a signal is sent to hospital security officers who are monitoring the system at all hours and are prepared to assist immediately.
What Students & Trainees Should Know: Quick Safety and Parking Guide
- If you feel unsafe, call UNM Police or Hospital Security at (505) 272-2160 or use a blue light phone.
- Forty-two blue light emergency phones are located across the North Campus.
- Students may request 24/7 escort services from UNM Police (505) 277-2241 or Hospital Security at (505) 272-2160.
- Download and use the LoboGuardian app for emergencies, safety timers and reporting safety concerns.
- Badge access is required for entry into designated areas of academic, research and clinical buildings.
- UNM shuttle services operate every 15 to 20 minutes, Monday-Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shuttles can be tracked in real time using the PASSIO Go app.
- Parking options vary by location and time of day. Evening access expands after 3:45 pm when parking permits holders can park in any lettered parking lot.
- UNM Hospital provides floating parking passes in UNM Hospital’s Lands West employee parking lot for clerkship students with early or late clinical hours.
Outside of clinical spaces, Funes said there are 42 emergency blue light phones across North Campus. If a student or any person on campus needs emergency assistance, all they need to do is press the button on one of the large blue poles.
“It rings directly to UNM Police dispatch,” Funes said. “They will immediately send a response and simultaneously contact UNM Hospital security, and we can also send a response which may get there quicker.”
Funes said security can also immediately pull up cameras in the area to start monitoring and direct law enforcement where to go.
The LoboGuardian mobile app functions as a virtual blue light phone. It allows students to report safety concerns and includes a safety timer feature linked to a designated contact.
For additional peace of mind, Funes said escorts from hospital security or UNM Police are available to anyone who requests them any time, day or night, by calling (505) 272-2160. For students or staff working in the hospital who are concerned about their safety due to a domestic matter, Funes said security and UNM Police can work with them on developing a safety plan.
“If you're having a problem, if you notify us, we will come out and we'll talk to you,” said Richard Pickup, the manager of security operations at UNM Hospital.
Pickup said other considerations for increasing student safety is to keep valuables out of their cars, stay alert, limit distractions and keep an eye on their surroundings while walking on campus, especially after dark. Walking in groups increases safety as well.
“When we’re not aware of our surroundings, we make ourselves more vulnerable to any type of crime,” Pickup said.
Lobos: United for Safety Series
University Communication and Marketing published a seven-part series titled "Lobos: United for Safety." The series was designed to educate the UNM campus community about current and ongoing campus safety initiatives, crime-related issues and concerns, and ways to protect yourself and your property, as well as the utilization of various campus resources in an effort to enhance campus safety for all.
Click here for a list of all stories in the series with links to each story.
