Safety and Health Alerts

John Cabot University's Message on Safety

From the Office of the President

Issued November 17, 2015
The recent terror attacks in Paris have raised some serious concerns about public safety in Europe, and especially throughout major European cities such as Rome.

While threats of further attacks must be taken seriously, it is also important to understand that the vigilance of the various national public safety authorities has been raised substantially following last week’s events.

This has also been the case in Italy. In particular, the Italian Government, in light of the security situation and of the start of the Jubileum at the Vatican on December 8th, has decided to deploy 1000 soldiers in Rome, effective immediately - in addition to the thousands of police personnel already present in the Capital - with the specific task of controlling the territory.  While announcing this deployment, the Ministry of the Interior has also noted in Parliament that there are no concrete intelligence reports pointing to impending attacks in Italy.

John Cabot University has always been very proactive concerning the security of its premises and of the members of its community, first and foremost its students. Our campuses are located in the very center of Rome, with a substantial presence of armed public security officers. Our Tiber Campus is flanked by armed Police and Army details controlling the area, and our main Guarini Campus is located across the street from one of the main headquarters of the Carabinieri (the elite military police corps of Italy).

John Cabot University remains in regular contact with the US Embassy, the Italian Police and the Carabinieri, which regularly patrol our neighborhood.

While this creates for a relatively safer environment than other more peripheral areas of the city, John Cabot University has worked painstakingly in insuring its own security. Our campuses and residences have professional armed guards at every entrance, identifying each person entering the buildings, and our security needs are constantly reviewed and expanded as necessary.

Members of our community, and in particular students, can also play a vital role in protecting for their own safety by paying attention to the following safety measures: 

Important Safety Measures for the JCU Community
:

  • Please keep your JCU ID on you at all times, as well as a photocopy of your passport and permit to stay (permesso di soggiorno).  Keep the last two originals in a safe place at home.  Emergency numbers are on the back of your student ID card and should be used only in case of emergencies.
  • Please consider enrolling in a Safe Travelers Program through your home country’s embassy. For example, for students from the United States, the U.S. Department of State hosts STEP (Safe Travelers Enrollment Program) and can be found at https://step.state.gov/step/.  Many other countries host similar programs. Please check your embassy’s website for more information.
  • Avoid, at present, any large gatherings of people, such as concerts, major sporting events or demonstrations. When you go out in the evening, always go with friends or in groups and let people know where you are.
  • If you are experiencing ongoing worry and concern about your safety, reach out for assistance. You may email the Assistant Dean of Students at [email protected] or the Dean’s Office at mmerva@johncabot.edu. If you feel that speaking to a counselor would be helpful, email [email protected].
  • Stay in regular telephone or e-mail contact with your family and friends, as the media may magnify reports and create unnecessary worry.
  • If you are not sure we have your correct phone number and email contact it is essential that you provide your correct information.  Shortly students will receive a link so that they may update their own information.  In the meantime, please email [email protected] and include emergency contacts as well as your own personal contact information. This is key to keeping in direct contact with the University and receiving messages from us in a timely fashion.
  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times, reporting anything suspicious to University authorities and/or the Police.
  • In case of further emergencies, STAY AT HOME and off the streets.  Follow the updates on our home page: www.johncabot.edu and expect to hear from us by email and text.
  • Keep abreast of the news and use common sense and good judgment in all situations—trust your instincts when it comes to safety issues and take no risks. 

Emergency Communications Protocol
JCU has a 24/7 Emergency Administrative Phone number that you can find on the back of your JCU ID card which you should save on your cell phone. 

In the event of an emergency on our campuses or in the city of Rome, JCU communicates to all students, faculty, and staff via postings on social media such as Facebook and Twitter along with a message on our website’s home page. We will also send emails and SMS to the community, including many of the home universities and study abroad providers who work with us.  These communications would provide you with information and other directed actions depending on the situation. 

We also rely on you to communicate to your loved ones directly of your own safety as well as those of others.

As in any city, the public safety services should be called when immediate attention is required.

Emergency Contacts for Italy:
All Emergency Services in Rome: 112 (outside of Rome, use one of the numbers below)

Police (Polizia): 113
Ambulance: 118
Fire: 115
International Medical Center: 06-488-2371
USA Embassy (Via Veneto, 119): 06-467-41 (from within Italy)
                                                          or 011-39-06-467-41 (from the U.S.)

You should enter these numbers in your contact list on your cell phone and carry them with you at all times.

The most updated information on country specific security situations can be found on the U.S. Department of State/Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

We encourage all JCU community members to consult this site, as necessary.

JCU Administration and Student Affairs personnel are available to answer any further questions or concerns at:
Assistant Dean of Students, Valentina Di Blasi: [email protected]
Director of Student Services, Pilar Murguia: [email protected]
Vice President and Dean of Academics, Mary Merva: [email protected]
President’s Chief of Staff, Kathryne Fedele: [email protected]