UNM prioritizes safety for students , trainees

news.unm.edu · Feb 24, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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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. Blue light telephones are also located in parking garages. 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. 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.