With new faculty, staff and students getting settled on campus this fall, it is a good time for a reminder that the department of public safety provides technology and trainings to promote safety for everyone at the university.
Assistance in the palm of your hand
The Iowa State Safe app launched in January 2023 with a variety of safety options, and more campus information continues to be added. Users can download it for free through the Apple App or Google Play stores. Faculty, staff and students can use the app by signing in with their Net-ID and password -- which imports information to autofill when service is requested -- or as a guest. Campus visitors also can use the app as a guest.
Some of the most used safety features are:
Mobile BlueLight: The one-touch button acts as a silent alarm when the user feels unsafe. "When the button is pushed, the signal is sent to ISU dispatch where they see who pushed the button and their location on campus," said Nick Swanson, department of public safety key and emergency management director. "Dispatch will call the individual, and an officer also is sent to the location."
Friend walk: The user sends a text to a friend telling them where they are walking to on campus and the friend monitors progress along the route through Google Maps.
Virtual walkhome: Operates like friend walk, but ISU dispatch receives the notification and monitors the individual.
988 suicide and crisis helpline: Connects the user to trained counselors with the Lifeline network for those dealing with mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to.
SafeRide: Users can request a ride on campus from 6 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. daily. Using the app -- instead of calling in a request -- provides a more accurate pickup point for the escort. The SafeRide tile only appears in the app during active hours of the service, and rides can only be given from one campus location to another.
"It is important to know that SafeRide can be in a car, golf cart or an officer may walk to you on campus and escort you to your destination," Swanson said.
Safety toolbox: Users can chat with ISU police, share their location with friends or report an incident, like a slip or fall.
Users also can submit crime tips, request help with a locked vehicle, report a nonemergency crime, or contact the mental health advocates and request the therapy dogs through the app.
"We set up the app to help users find a campus resource and be able to contact them with a push of a button that sends the number to your phone with no copying and pasting," Swanson said. "Most departments also have a one-touch email button that links to your default email."
More information
Swanson said additional features have been added for quick access to useful information, for example, health resources, CyRide, ISU Dining, SHOP food pantry and more. He also gathered information for residence move-in that helped parents and students quickly locate hall desk locations, find move-in parking and provide quick access to campus maps.
"We're always looking to add more information that is helpful to campus, and we did see about a 500 person bump in downloads during move-in," said Swanson, who noted the app has been downloaded more than 8,200 times since its launch 20 months ago.
Trainings for campus employees
Members of the ISU police department lead a range of safety trainings that departments and units can schedule by emailing isupdoutreach@iastate.edu. Some of their most requested are:
Recognizing and Reporting Disruptive Behavior: Focuses on recognizing the warning signs of escalating and disruptive behavior and teaches ways to mitigate potential acts of violence before the problem becomes unmanageable. Proactive approaches are stressed over reactive ones. Training lasts one to two hours.
Violent Incident Response Training (VIRT): Promotes an options-based response and teaches a flexible set of principles that may be adapted to any violent encounter. Based on the principles of avoid, deny, defend, it provides options to help you survive a violent situation. Training lasts one-and-a-half to two hours.
Office Space Assessment: Educates faculty and staff about best practices for safety in their offices and workspaces. Based on the principles of crime prevention through environmental design, these sessions discuss techniques and options for arranging an office space, adding elements of security and developing a plan for yourself and colleagues.
Safety Planning: Helps identify tools and resources individuals already possess to keep them safe while also helping them identify additional resources they may need. It addresses emotional, psychological and physical safety risks and is individualized.
Assistant police chief Carrie Jacobs said faculty and staff have access to resources to de-escalate situations, but aren't always trained to use them effectively. She encourages departments and units to consider taking training yearly or whenever new faculty or staff arrive.
"VIRT is our most popular training -- and you can take it with you wherever you go -- but we want people to take Recognizing and Reporting Disruptive Behavior (RRDB) first," she said. "It is tailored specifically for faculty and staff.
"We know that faculty can be hesitant to use what is available to them because they don't want to offend or infringe on student rights," Jacobs added. "RRDB really helps them learn how to effectively approach and help a student, especially if a student is in a crisis."
Jacobs said faculty can talk with an officer without divulging the student's name.
