How Many Colleges Are Implementing Safety Apps Such As Lifesafe

EKU S.A.F.E. App Now Available

Eastern Kentucky University's Student Government Association (SGA) and Public Safety have once again partnered to introduce the next generation of mobile phone safety technology with the EKU S.A.F.E. App.

(Please Note: The University no longer uses the LiveSafe App. If you have that app on your phone, it is no longer in use at EKU, and it is not being monitored. Please download and use the new EKU S.A.F.E. App from the App and Google Play stores.)

"Campus safety is always an integral core value of our institution and we are excited to continually advance the needle of safety within our campus community," said Gary Folckemer, EKU director of Emergency Management and Security.

"SGA is the group that originally brought the idea of a safety app to campus and spearheaded the start of such a program. As we transition to a new safety app, I think we have a unique opportunity to come together as a community to create a campus that is deeply committed to our physical and mental safety," said EKU student government association vice president Nick Koenig. "Before any student can achieve any sort of academic success, they must feel safe. This was the driving priority for such an initiative at EKU."

The free personal safety app, available for download on both the Apple and Android platforms at Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/s-a-f-e-safety-app-for-eku/id1550124036 and Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cutcom.apparmor.eku.

The app puts various safety services at the fingertips of users:

Push Notifications – Allows users to receive emergency notifications and timely warnings sent from Public Safety, via EKU Alerts, using our email alert method. (Note: Community members, who are not EKU employees or EKU students, can SMS to Opt-In for emergency notifications sent from Public Safety, using our text alert method. Be informed. Text "EKUAlerts" to 67283 (MRAVE), 226787 (CAMPUS), 78015, or 81437.)

EKU News Feed – Displays recent tweets from @eku.

Emergency Contacts – Contains buttons to Call 911 if you are off the EKU Richmond Campus, Call EKU Police if you are on the Richmond Campus, chat with EKU Police via text for the deaf or hard of hearing or when it is not safe for you to speak. Emergency Call checks your physical location and determines that if you are inside the campus geofence, your call goes to EKU Police, and if you are outside the campus geofence, your call goes to 911 for help.

(Note: You must turn on your Location Services, for this App, in order for your location to be checked, and/or sent to Public Safety, or to one of your Contacts.)

Mobile BlueLight – Contains a button that simultaneously sends your location to EKU Police and makes a phone call to EKU Police. EKU Police can receive your location in real-time on their Dashboard and they can speak with you on the phone.

Friend Walk – Allows you to send your location in real-time to a friend so they can watch you as you walk to your destination. It also has options to contact the EKU Police and request a safety escort on the Richmond Campus.

WorkAlone – Allows you to start a session with either a personal contact, anywhere, or with Public Safety, if you are on the Richmond Campus. This feature will automatically check in on you while working or studying alone and can automatically trigger a call to your personal contact, or Public Safety, if you fail to check-in at the allotted time, or if you press the emergency button.

Report a Tip – Allows you to report tips, on a variety of topics, and gives you an option of attaching a photo or video. The tips are automatically routed to the appropriate offices.

Health & Safety Toolbox – Has options to contact the EKU Police, the Counselling Center, Student Health Services, and Student Accessibility Office.

Campus Maps – Provides access to a Parking Map, Enhanced Shelter In Place Buildings, and Evacuation Assembly Areas.

Emergency Plans – Contains the University's planned response to emergency situations. This is the content of the University Emergency Action Plan, and it provides important information about what you can do, to protect yourself, if an emergency does occur.

Support Resources – Has options to contact University Housing, Facilities Management, Libraries, and Student Affairs.

Manage Profile – Under the About / Preferences button, users can manage their profile and add information to help emergency responders. This information is only available to and used by the EKU Division of Public Safety for emergency purposes. It allows individuals to volunteer information to help us keep you safe. Items the user can volunteer include: Allergies, Medications, On-Campus Primary Address/Location, Secondary or Additional Addresses/Locations (For individuals whose work or studies take them to multiple locations on campus), Permanent Address, Additional Phone Numbers, Emergency Contact Name and Phone Number. The more information volunteered, the more effectively we can find you, and help you, if you get into trouble or have difficulties of any kind.

"We are proud of our strong partnership with the Student Government Association as we collaborate to provide safety resources, such as this app, that benefits our entire campus community," Folckemer said. "Colonels care for one another and this app provides a platform for our community to look out for one another by reporting issues, communicating directly with the EKU Police Department, providing tips, watching friends virtually walk, and other safety items."

Published on June 10, 2021