Health & Safety
Copenhagen - A Safe City
Copenhagen and Denmark have both picked up a habit of topping international surveys determining quality of life, personal safety, architecture and design and even happiness of its citizens. For instance, Denmark is not only the second most peaceful country in the world (Economist Intelligence Unit: Global Peace Index, 2009), but it also has the happiest people, according to both an international University of Leicester survey and one from the United States National Science Foundation.
Copenhagen as a city is in the same league; though relatively big, it has a low crime rate, life quality is excellent and personal safety is high. Elsewhere, Copenhagen topped Monocle magazine’s World’s Most Livable City survey.
The health and safety of our DIS students is our primary concern. Though Copenhagen is a safe city, we have contingency plans in place should they be needed. We are also in regular contact with the US Embassy in Copenhagen to stay abreast of any potential threats.
Safety
Copenhagen is a safe city, but sometimes events happen around the world that can affect Americans abroad. DIS is in close contact with the US Embassy in Copenhagen, and provides the embassy – as well as the local Copenhagen police station – with a list of all students at the start of each semester or summer program.
As standard procedure, the US Embassy issues travel advisories on a regular basis. We immediately notify our students and pass these advisories on via email to our partner universities. Upon arrival, students are provided with additional emergency procedures that DIS has worked out with local authorities in the case of various threats or incidents in Copenhagen. This website will be updated as frequently as possible in the case of an on-site emergency. In the case of a serious health or safety emergency regarding a student currently at DIS, you may contact our US staff at 651 323 7316 or 612 670 1379 or the Denmark at (+45) 3067 1000.
DIS Emergency Cell Phone
DIS offers a 24-hour emergency cell phone service to all of our enrolled students. In the case of a serious health or safety emergency, students or family members may contact the emergency cell phone in Copenhagen or in the U.S.
Students receive emergency contact cards, which include the necessary phone numbers, in their Pre-departure Packet and are asked to share a copy with their parents.
Contingency Plan
In the event of a general international crisis or specific threats of local terrorism, DIS has a contingency plan in cooperation with the Danish Police Intelligence Service and the American Embassy in Copenhagen. DIS has taken a number of measures to maintain a high level of student safety. Among these are:
1. Contact with Authorities
DIS is included among the institutions in Denmark covered by the Security Section of the American Embassy in Copenhagen.
2. Security Advising
DIS students are given printed and oral security advising upon arrival in Copenhagen.
3. Communication: Students to DIS
As mentioned above, DIS has a 24-hour emergency phone number that is communicated to students in a variety of ways. Additionally, during study tours, students are given the numbers of the tour leaders’ cell phones. The phones are open 24 hours a day. On study tours, students are given the phone numbers of the American embassies in each area.
4. Communication: DIS to Students
All DIS emergency management staff has a list of student addresses and phone numbers in the office and at home. An all-student e-mail, reaching every single student’s e-mail account, is operative and known to all staff members. During all DIS study tours, staff remaining in Copenhagen has a full overview of student participants, hotel addresses, scheduled events plus a list of all tour leaders’ cell phone numbers.
5. Evacuation
Staff members have personalized evacuation plans to secure swift evacuation of all students from the building should the need arise. Staff evacuation exercises are carried out at regular intervals. Evacuation routes are posted in the main student areas, and all emergency exits are clearly marked throughout the building.
6. Protection
Access to the DIS building is restricted and requires a code, which is given to students at the beginning of their stay.
Alcohol & Drugs
DIS aims to provide an environment that facilitates the achievement of educational goals and supports student development and autonomy. However, autonomy and freedom of choice exist with the expectation that students will respect the intellectual, physical and emotional health of self and others. While DIS prohibits alcohol on the premises unless it is during DIS sponsored social events, students may consume alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner in their DIS housing.
Students who choose to consume alcohol do so with the knowledge that they remain responsible for their actions at all times. Alcohol misuse is prohibited and does not constitute an excuse for irresponsible behavior or misconduct. Disorderly conduct, property destruction, intimidation or other infringements on the rights of others as a result of alcohol are prohibited.
Repeated intoxication, antisocial behavior or an inability to pursue one’s own education may result from problem drinking and may indicate chemical dependency. DIS administrators may notify the home university of a student’s abuse of alcohol or drugs. In some instances, a student may be dismissed from DIS.
The use of illegal drugs is no more acceptable in foreign cultures than it is in the US and is treated as a serious criminal offense. All students are cautioned to obey the laws of Denmark. Marijuana, hash, ecstasy, and all other such drugs are illegal in Denmark. Anyone in possession of drugs or using any type of illegal drugs risks being arrested and will be expelled from Denmark and dismissed from DIS. Expulsion from the program will result in total forfeiture of all fees paid to the program and loss of all course credit. Neither DIS nor the U.S. Embassy can assist students arrested for illegal drug possession.
