Safety is a main concern for students and faculty here on the Gustavus’ campus.
Campus Safety does their best to protect students by providing services such as Safe Rides and blue light phone poles. Today, new apps are being developed to supplement current Campus Safety tools.
Recently, Gustavus was one of 100 college campuses added to the network of a new app called BlueLight, a safety app available for smartphones.
According to BlueLight Director of Communications Lauren Wilbanks, the app was created by Preet Anand, a graduate of Santa Clara University. Anand heard at his freshmen orientation that one in five college women would be victims of sexual assault while in school.
He decided this was unacceptable and worked tirelessly to make an impact on the problem, resulting in the origin of BlueLight in 2013.
“The current standard for campus safety and emergency response is the iconic blue light tower. Like us, it’s a direct line to Campus Safety. Unlike us, it might be a good 200 feet away. We take that power and put it in your pocket, on and off campus. Students already consider their smartphones a lifeline; we take it to the next level,” Wilbanks said.
The app also includes features that the poles do not. The app acts as a tracker so others know where you are in case an emergency occurs.
“The ‘On-My-Way’ feature lets you send your location to family or friends so they can keep an eye out for you as you head from place to place. Our aim is to bring students peace of mind, whether that reassurance comes from letting a friend walk you home or having a direct line to help in your pocket,” Wilbanks said.
Gustavus was added to the BlueLight network because students at Gustavus requested that we be included. However, Gustavus Campus Safety is still new to the idea of the BlueLight app.
“I don’t know a lot about it,” Director of Campus Safety Carol Brewer said.
The BlueLight app is meant to be an alternative to other safety tools on campus, but these other tools will stay in use.
“I don’t think it would replace current safety options. My attitude towards it is, if it is something the students would use, we would explore and stay current with the options. I think it could be a huge benefit if it works well,” Brewer said.
While Campus Safety is new to the app, some students are already getting on board with the BlueLight app.
Senior Psychology and French Major Kalyna Rieland is very positive about trying the app.
“If it guarantees a safer walk around campus, I would use the app,” Rieland said.
From the students’ perspective, Rieland also expressed why it might be a better option for students on campus.
“Because everyone has their phones on them at all times and because an app is more appealing than running to a pole to push a button, I think it will be more beneficial to students,” Rieland said.
The app has been out since late 2014 for Androids and since January 2015 for iOS. The BlueLight app is available for Gustavus students on smartphones for a one month free trial, and costs $9.99 after the first month. So download BlueLight and stay safe Gusties.