Frequently Asked Questions

• Why was PSAC created?

  In recent years, University administration sought feedback and input from the University community on public safety needs and concerns. The idea of creating a community-based group to advise the University on public safety issues came up early and often in those discussions. Thus, the University made a commitment to explore the idea and is now fulfilling that commitment. The concept of empaneling a group of community members to provide advice and counsel on public safety issues has become widely recognized across the country as important to trust and legitimacy in policing. Many cities and counties have created “civilian oversight” boards to enhance police accountability to the communities served. The same is true for law enforcement in the University context. 
• How will PSAC be structured?

  PSAC will include representation from various stakeholder groups within the University and South Side communities. PSAC will have 13 voting members and six ex-officio non-voting members. Voting members will include a chair, four faculty representatives, three student representatives, two staff representatives, and three community representatives. Representatives will serve three-year terms except for student representatives, who will serve one-year terms. The President and Provost may reappoint any representative to serve one additional term without the need for a subsequent nomination or appointment.
• How will voting PSAC representatives be appointed?

  The chair will be a member of University faculty or administration nominated by the Provost and approved by the President.

   

  Three voting faculty representatives, including two tenured or tenure-track faculty members and one other academic appointment faculty member, will be appointed by the President based on an application process and after having been nominated by a selection committee comprised of the University Deans. One faculty representative, chosen to reflect the specific needs of UChicago Medicine, will be appointed by the President after having been nominated by the Dean of the Biological Sciences Division, based on an application process.

   

  Student voting representatives will be selected through an open application process. The Graduate Council will oversee the selection process of a graduate student representative, and the Undergraduate Student Government will oversee the selection process of an undergraduate representative. Student representatives will be appointed by the Provost, who will also appoint an at-large student representative.

   

  One staff voting representative from any division within the University will be appointed by the President following an application process. One staff representative from UChicago Medicine will be nominated by the Dean of the Biological Sciences Division and appointed by the President following an application process. Three voting community representatives will be appointed by the Provost after being nominated by a selection committee led by the Office of Civic Engagement and comprised of community leaders familiar with the University and its public safety and security efforts. 
• Who will serve as ex-officio PSAC members?

  PSAC will include six ex-officio, non-voting members:

  • UCPD Chief or the Chief’s designee

  • Administrator within the Office of the Provost to serve as recordkeeper

  • Representative from the Office of Civic Engagement

  • Director, UChicago Help

  • Representative from the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture

  • Representative from the Office of Legal Counsel
• How often will PSAC meet?

  The council aims to meet at least once during each of the following academic quarters: Fall, Winter, and Spring. These meetings will take place online to facilitate participation by Council members and other community members. PSAC will also aim to hold one public forum each academic year for the purpose of learning about and gaining community feedback on a specific public safety issue or topic. PSAC may choose to hold additional meetings as necessary. Members of the University community and its neighbors may attend PSAC events, and records of PSAC meetings will be made publicly available on this website.
• How will PSAC make recommendations?

  PSAC may conduct public meetings or otherwise seek community input to inform its recommendations regarding policies, trainings, and practices.

   

  Any specific recommendations regarding new or existing policies, trainings, or practices will be approved by a majority of all voting PSAC members and delivered in writing to University administration. PSAC may direct recommendations regarding public safety policies and practices to the President, Provost, the Department of Safety and Security (DSS), and/or the Chief of UCPD. Unless additional time is requested, the PSAC will expect a written response to its recommendations within 30 days. 

   

  To the extent that PSAC reports on its recommendations, all reports will include the recommendations made as well as any responses to the recommendations provided by University administration, DSS, or UCPD.
• What is the timeline of PSAC’s work?

  PSAC will be a permanent fixture of the University.
• How will PSAC’s progress be shared and how can I get involved?

  PSAC will actively engage the campus and South Side communities with its work, and will identify specific means and mechanisms for gaining community input and feedback. Additional information will be posted to this website when it becomes available.