New app aims to keep students and staff safe
Tool allows walk through campus to be monitored by friends or family
A new app is the latest initiative by the University of Saskatchewan to battle sexual assaults on campus.
The USAFE app offers options, information and tools to help students and employees on campus manage their safety. It is modelled after a similar app at Queen’s University.
“Safety always remains an issue that can be improved upon,” said Emmanauel Barker, University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union vice-president of operations and finance. “We’ve also heard from parents that they would love more information as well, and this has become a great way for them to stay connected and remain in touch with their children while they are away for school.”
The app features a “virtual safe walk.” Through this, students are able to set their location on a map and send a link to a friend or family member who can, in real time, follow their progress through campus to make sure they end up safe at their desired location.
“That person would literally see them walking, so the idea being, if there is a problem someone is watching them,” said Peter Hedley, U of S director of support services. “If there is a problem they can cut off for an emergency call and you’ll have the co-ordinates for where that person was and you’re offered the option to make an emergency call on their behalf.”
Hedley expects 50 per cent of the campus community will be using the app by this time next year.
“This is just the beginning, we will be rolling out a number of different pieces of functionality,” said Hedley. “We’re listening, we’ll get everyone’s feedback, we’ll look at what they’re using, what they’re not using and look for ways to adapt it to meet all the goals that we have.”
Other features of the app include campus and crime maps; transit information; university and community services; and the ability to make emergency calls which, depending on a person’s location, would be directed to campus security or the police.