Office of Public Safety

For your safety, all students are required to provide and regularly update their emergency contact information. It will only take you a minute, and it will help us quickly reach someone on your behalf in the event of an emergency.

Simply log into your Self-Service account and follow these instructions.

You can link directly to Self-Service by clicking here.

Please note: Students who do not update their emergency contact information will not be able to register for future courses. Each student will need to provide two emergency contacts.

Public Safety will assist students, faculty, and staff with entry to buildings on campus after hours.

All classrooms and essential building are opened at 6 a.m. and close and 11 p.m. If you need access to a building after hours, or if you have forgotten your keys to a building, call Security at 215-646-7300, ext. 21522 and an officer will be dispatched to the specified location.

Please be prepared to show the officer your GMercyU ID or another form of identification (driver's license), if your Gwynedd Mercy University identification is not available.

The computer labs in Keiss and St. Bernard Halls cannot be opened by the officer without prior approval from the IT department.

Also, if you received assistance from a security officer to enter a building, please remember to call Security at 215-646-7300, ext. 21522 when you leave the building.

See the 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (PDF).

See the Anti-Hazing Report (PDF), posted December 19, 2024.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (The Clery Act) requires Gwynedd Mercy University to provide students and employees with information on its security policies and procedures and specific statistics for certain criminal incidents, arrests and disciplinary referrals and to make the information and statistics available to prospective students and employees upon request.

It is important to note that the crime classifications for which colleges and universities must provide statistics differ under state and federal law. Statistics for certain crime classifications might appear to be different.

The crime statistics reported under the Jeanne Clery Act include the following:

• Criminal homicide: Murder, Non-negligent manslaughter
• Sex offenses: Forcible Rape Sodomy, Sexual assault with an object, Fondling, Non-forcible
• Incest Statutory rape
• Robbery
• Aggravated Assault
• Burglary
• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Arson

Hate Crimes
The law requires the release of statistics by category of prejudice concerning the occurrence of hate crimes in the crime classifications listed in the preceding section and for other crimes involving bodily injury to any person in which the victim is selected because of the actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability of the victim.

In August of 2008, The Higher Education Opportunity Act modified the above hate crimes to include the following additional crimes under the hate crime category:

• Larceny-Theft: The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession, or constructive possession, of another.
• Threats: Intimidation (includes stalking) To unlawfully place another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words and/or other conduct, but without displaying a weapon or subjecting the victim to actual physical attack
• Vandalism: To willfully or maliciously destroy, damage, deface, or otherwise injure real or personal property without the consent of the owner or the person having custody or control of it
• Simple Assault: An unlawful physical attack by one person upon another where neither the offender displays a weapon, nor the victim suffers obvious severe or aggrieved bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration, or loss of consciousness

The law requires statistics for an expanded area beyond the campus and it requires these statistics to be shown in specific geographic categories. (Note that incidents shown in the On-Campus Residential category are also included in the statistics shown in the Campus* category.)

The following statistics are provided in compliance with the specific time periods, crime classifications, geographic categories, and arrest data mandated by federal law.

See the 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (PDF).

Definitions of terms found within the Clery Act:

Campus - Any building or property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution in direct support of, or in a manner related to the institution’s educational purposes, including residence halls or any property that is within or reasonably contiguous to the institution and owned by the institution but controlled by another person, is frequently used by students, and supports institutional purposes (such as food or other retail vendor).

Non-Campus Building or Property - Any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization recognized by the University or University and any building or property (other than a branch campus) owned or controlled by an institution of higher education that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution’s educational purpose, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably continuous geographic area of the institution. Gwynedd Mercy University does not have any Non-campus Buildings or Property as defined.

Public Property - All public property that is within the campus or immediately adjacent to and assessable from the campus, such as a sidewalk, a street, other thoroughfares, or parking facility.

The Office of Public Safety maintains a combined Daily Crime and Fire Log of all incidents reported. This includes all crimes, fire-related incidents, and other serious incidents that occur on campus, including areas jointly patrolled by the Lower Gwynedd Police Department, in non-campus buildings or properties, on public property immediately surrounding the campus.

The daily crime log is available at the Public Safety Office within St. Brigid Hall for the most recent 60-day period for public inspection, free of charge, and produced upon request during normal business hours.

Omnilert is a selective mass notification system that sends time-sensitive messages to students, faculty, and staff wherever you are located. The University will only send mass notification in the event of weather and campus emergencies. You will not receive general notices via this delivery method.

Sign up for the University’s Emergency Alert system by clicking the icon on the University portal.

You will be notified immediately of events on the device you select to be notified by. You may input up to two mobile devices and two personal email addresses.

Campus closure information will also be posted to the University website. You can also call the main telephone number at 215-646-7300.

See GMercyU's Emergency Manual (PDF).

Public Safety and Security Contact Numbers

• Emergency Number: ext. 1111
• Non-Emergency Number: 215-641-5522, ext. 21522
• Director of Public Safety and Security: 215-542-5785, ext. 21785
• Switchboard: ext. 0
• Director of Counseling Services: 215-641-5571, ext. 21571
• Counselor: 215-646-7300, ext. 21427
• Director of Resident Life: 215-641-5585, ext. 21585
• Associate Director of Resident Life: 215-646-7300, ext. 21460
• Director of Human Resources: 215-646-7300, ext. 21250
• Health and Wellness Center: 215-646-7300, ext. 21486
• Student Services: 215-641-5546, ext. 546; 215-641-5555, ext. 21555
• Montgomery County Crime Victims Center: 610-277-5200
• Lower Gwynedd Township Police Department: 215-646-5300
• Title IX Coordinator: 215-646-7300, ext. 21140

*Please note: you must first dial 9 on campus to obtain an outside line.

The Pennsylvania College and University Security Information Act requires the release of crime statistics and rates to students and employees. The rate is based on the actual number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) students and employees which is calculated according to a state-mandated formula.

See all details in the 2023 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report  (PDF).

Gwynedd Mercy University expects all members of the campus community to comply with federal, state and local laws. Policies and procedures designed to maintain harmony and personal welfare on campus are found in the Student Handbook, the Residence Life Handbook, the Faculty Handbook and the Employee Handbook on GMercyU’s portals.

In support of the mission of GMercyU, the University Community upholds the following standards of conduct:

• Respect and equal treatment of all individuals
• Social responsibility and Christian moral behavior
• Respect for lawful authority

See all details on our Reporting Crimes and Safety Concerns page.

• Available to all students, administration, faculty, staff, and visitors
• Available 24 hours a day/seven days a week
• A security officer will walk or drive individuals to and/or from cars, classes, residence halls or any other facility on campus
• A Public Safety Officer will provide help when a vehicle is in need of a battery jump-start, or during inclement weather
• In the event of a flat tire, disabled vehicle or keys locked in a car, at the request of the owner, Public Safety will contact 5 Points Automotive and Towing at 215-855-3592.

Public Safety offers students a complimentary shuttle service to and from the Gwynedd Valley Train Station, which services the SEPTA R5 line.

• Shuttle pick-up and drop-off point on campus is the Campbell Hall Circle and or Siemens Parking lot.
• In order to ride the shuttle, you will need to show your GMercyU ID card.
• Due to inconsistencies with the weather, traffic or SEPTA changes, please contact the St. Brigid Security Desk at 215-641-5522 to request transportation to and from the train station or Siemens Parking Lot.

*Note: Please allow five to 10 minutes for a security officer to arrive. In the event of a security emergency, the escort and shuttle services may be delayed.

See all details on our Title IX page.

See the University Transportation Policy (PDF) for requirements and procedures for the use of University vehicles and personally owned vehicles used for University business.

Faculty and Staff can use the Reservation Form to reserve a University van or to obtain preauthorization to drive a University Vehicle for a University sponsored trip.

Have questions? Please email fleetmanagement@gmercyu.edu. 

See the Student Conduct Incident Reporting Form.

Everyone is required to have a valid parking hang tag properly affixed to the vehicles rearview mirror, so it is clearly visible from the windshield. The hang tag can only be displayed on the vehicle to which the permit is registered. Any deviation from this policy may result in the permit being revoked.

• Students in need of a parking permit can find instructions on our Campbell Solution Center page. Please contact the Campbell Solution Center with questions at campbellsolutioncenter@gmercyu.edu.
  
  
• Faculty and Staff in need of parking permit can register here. Please contact the Public Safety and Security Department with questions on how to register at PublicSafetyStaff@gmercyu.edu.
  
  
• For visitors and guests, please contact Public Safety Dispatch at 215-641-5522 to obtain a one-day parking permit.

See campus map here (PDF)

Lot A, next to Julia Ball Auditorium — Faculty & Staff parking only until 3:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, this lot is open to all.

Lot B, next to Field House — signs note designated parking

Lot C and Lot D, the large lots located across from University Hall — open for Commuters, Visitors, Faculty & Staff. The far end of the lot behind the facilities house may be used for student-athlete parking for morning practices only. Open parking after 5:00 p.m.

Lot E, between the Griffin Complex and University Hall — Faculty & Staff parking only

Lot F, across from the Griffin Complex — open parking for all

Lot H, behind Loyola Hall — parking only for Upper Class Residents, Public Safety, three 30-minute Student Unloading spots, and staff

Lot K- behind Admissions House – Staff and Visitors parking

Lot L, Circle in front of Assumption Hall — designated parking only

Lot M, next to Connelly Faculty Center — designated Parking only

Lot N, next to the Connelly Faculty Center and across from Maguire Hall – parking for Faculty & Staff and registered visitors only

Lot O, behind the Art Studio – parking for staff, students, and visitors

Lot P, behind Valie Genuardi Hall - the back row of this lot (closest to the Siena Hall tree line) is designated for first-year residents only. The remaining portion of the lot is open to all.

Lot R, behind Maguire Hall – Faculty & Staff parking only

Residential students are not permitted to park in Lots C, D, and F prior to 5:00 p.m.

• The campus speed limit is 15 mph.
• Everyone must follow all traffic signs, and cannot park in fire lanes, grassy areas or on sidewalks.
• All individuals using handicapped spots on campus must register and display both a University permit AND a state-issued handicapped hangtag or license plate.
• Construction continues on campus and for the safety of all our community members, please follow all traffic signs, cones, barricade equipment, and directions given by construction crews or Public Safety concerning construction areas.

The following is a list of citations that may be issued (but not limited to) by GMercyU Public Safety:

• Speeding (15 mph speed limit on campus) 
• Disobeying stop signs
• Parking in undesignated spaces (fire lanes, handicapped spaces or parking in the grass)
• Parking without a permit
• Parking in more than one space or in an unlined space

If a vehicle obtains three unpaid violations within the academic year, the vehicle will be subject to an immobilization boot.

The fine for a violation issued by the Public Safety Department is a standard rate of $30 per violation for all parking infractions. Please note a rate of $50 for Fire Zone and for $100 rate for Handicapped Infractions.

Payment and/or appeals are due within 5 business days of the date listed on the ticket. Payments of violations can be made online here.

Appeals can be made at the Public Safety office in St. Brigid Hall or by using this online Parking Citations Appeal form.

If a vehicle obtains three unpaid violations within the academic year, the vehicle will be subject to an immobilization boot.

The Public Safety Department may boot any vehicle being operated by a driver who has received three or more unpaid violations and/or has made no attempt to pay their fine within 5 business days form the date the ticket was issued.

During normal business hours, individuals must:

1. Resolve all previous tickets for the vehicle to be released.
2. The immobilization boot will be removed after a $50.00 boot fee is paid.

After hours, individuals must:

1. Complete an “Immobilization Boot Release” form. The individual has until the next business day to resolve fines or vehicle may be rebooted and fees will accrue. After 7 consecutive days of an immobilization boot and/or if a vehicle is a hazard to the community or has been abandoned, the vehicle may be towed.