Safety and Security at Pepperdine University

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We are deeply saddened by today’s horrific event at Utah Valley University that resulted in the assassination of Charlie Kirk. As we process and pray for those affected by this tragedy, we want to assure the Pepperdine community that your safety is our highest priority and that the University has resources available for those who need them.

We encourage students who feel they may need assistance to reach out through Housing and Residence Life (HRL) staff and the Counseling Center. Faculty and staff may access counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program by visiting the Health Advocate webpage or calling 866.799.2728. Pastoral care is available from the team at the Hub for Spiritual Life. Contact Tim Spivey, vice president of spiritual life, to make an appointment. 

At Pepperdine, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) employs a layered approach to security, with officers on campus and available to respond to emergencies 24/7. Some of the DPS resources are visible, including campus guard booths, uniformed officers, and branded vehicles, while other resources are invisible to the community, such as plain-clothed officers and video surveillance.

Pepperdine leadership regularly follows world events to seek insights into how they may potentially impact our community and how our own response plans can be improved. We also work collaboratively with appropriate law enforcement agencies and government officials to plan for events on Pepperdine’s campuses. Security plans for upcoming events, including the 9/11 Memorial and the Worship Summit, had already been developed. Those plans are being reviewed again and will be enhanced as appropriate. Attendees can expect a visible security presence and staff on-site to provide assistance.

Thank you for your understanding and continued trust as we come together to reflect, to remember, and to worship. In these challenging moments, remember to support and take care of each other. We pray for the peace described in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”For those with questions about emergency response at Pepperdine, please visit the University’s Emergency Information Page or reach out to emergencyservices@pepperdine.edu.

This entry was posted in US Campuses.