Upgraded: UAA’s new safety app is full of cutting-edge features

As summer comes to a close and fall semester begins, the University of Alaska Anchorage Police Department (UPD) encourages students, faculty and staff returning to campus to download the Rave Guardian App. The free app, found in the app store, offers users a wide range of services and integrates seamlessly with the University of Alaska system’s (UA) existing Rave Guardian emergency alert system. The app replaces the UAA Safe App and allows users to turn their smartphone into a safety device.

“One of the things that's nice about this particular app, at least for us at the University Police Department, is the integration that it has with the rest of the emergency alerting system — it's not a standalone system,” said UPD Chief of Police Jeff Earle. Previously, according to Earle, the UAA Safe App and the UA Rave emergency alert system were not compatible. When it came to notifying the campus community regarding an emergency, UPD had to update two separate systems. Now they can work on one platform that sends messages out on multiple devices, whether a computer, mobile device or landline. “Because it’s multilayered and multifunctional, we’re able to get messages out faster.

”Besides its multifunctionality, the Rave Guardian App offers students, faculty and staff updated safety features and is quick and easy to set up. Earle said once someone downloads the app, if they are already in Banner, UAA’s registry system, they can share as much or little personal information with the app as they want. Earle says this information aids UPD in helping an individual during an emergency.

“The app is designed to integrate with Banner, and you can tell the app what you’re willing to share with UPD, like your name, cell phone number, if you have any medical issue or allergies, your car information — you can pre-supply all of that,” said Earle. “So in the moment of an emergency, we’re able to locate and help you more quickly.”

Additionally, the app offers updated features like: 

• Geolocation with options like setting a notification radius, which will monitor your location for safety alerts in your area
• Provide a virtual UPD escort
• Realtime chat capabilities in the event it is not safe to call UPD 
• Ability to invite family and friends into your network to alert them of your whereabouts 
• Links to on-campus resources, including: UA’s confidential hotline, reporting an on-campus incident, IT service status updates
• Connect straight from the app to university departments and resources, including: Office of Equity and Compliance, Dean of Students Office, UAA Care Team, Student Health and Counseling Center, UAA Risk Management and Emergency Management, Blackboard, UAOnline.

“There’s a lot of flexibility with this app, and it is another component that helps with overall campus safety,” said Earle. “It gives people another tool to communicate with the University Police Department that maybe they didn’t have before, or if they had the old app, this gives them the ability to increase their communication with UPD.”

With students, faculty and staff returning to campus after more than a year away and National Safety Month happening in September, Earle said that in addition to encouraging the campus community to download the new Rave Guardian App, he wants to remind everyone of important general safety guidelines when on campus.

• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings; if someone is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, notify UPD.
• Keep an eye out for wildlife like moose, bears and birds. (Yes, birds. Earle says geese and seagulls have been known to chase passers-by when guarding nests and young.)
• Prevent a crime of opportunity by keeping your belongings with you throughout the day or out of sight in your car or office. Do not leave items like cell phones, laptops, electronics or other valuables in plain sight.
• Remember your WolfCard for accessing buildings.
• When hanging out with friends or attending a gathering, use the buddy system and keep an eye out for each other. Earle reminds students to make responsible choices and to review the university's drug and alcohol policy. Learn more through the Alcohol, Drug, and Wellness Education Program.
• Head to the Student Health and Counseling Center for resources, information and links on mental and physical health, Bystander Intervention training and consent.
• Reminder of evacuation drills, Sept. 13-17: The Office of Emergency Management is teaming up with the UPD Auxiliary Emergency Team and Facilities employees to conduct evacuation drills of all academic buildings.
• Follow University of Alaska Anchorage Police and UAA UPD Chief of Police on Facebook.
• Be kind. Earle says it's been a tough year for everyone, so practice kindness to yourself and others when on campus.

“We may not necessarily be your destination, but we are always here to help you,” said Earle. “We’re always going to do our best to help students, faculty and staff. Whether they’re navigating something tough and don’t know who to reach out to or need assistance with a program or anything else, we will do what we can to help.”