The Safe UTulsa App has received some updates since last semester and below is new information.
The Safe UTulsa App has been developed and improved over time to create a space for everyone on campus to feel safe. The app received its most recent improvements last semester and to help students receive notifications faster, moving away from the old app called Safe Zone. The University of Tulsa says that its top priority is the safety and wellbeing of students and employees and as a result this app is constantly updating to provide better services. Specific to the university, the app now notifies students in an emergency, offering other resources and features too.
Safe UTulsa is available in the App Store for iOS users and Google Play for Android users. Once you have downloaded the app, you need to log in with a single sign on using your UTulsa credentials. Students will then be prompted to enable notifications through the pop up screen to allow emergency notifications to be shown on their devices. If this option is not prompted, students should navigate to “About/Preferences” then “Notification Settings” and allow notifications. Students should also click the “Emergency/Send Help” button to prompt the enabling of location services and choose to share it “While Using the App.”
The features on the app provide different types of help. When the app first starts, there are two red buttons at the top of the screen; one directly calls campus security and the other calls 911. It is recommended to call campus security if there is an emergency because they know the buildings on campus well and have specific training for this area. Campus police also have keys for all rooms and are able to access all campus spaces. Calling 911 is a way to get help off campus where campus security will not be able to aid as quickly.
The app provides campus safety walks. The virtual walk home option allows you to choose a location from either the main campus, Oxley, 101 Archer, north campus or the boat house. This option allows UTulsa security to track where students travel on campus. They can view the progress to a student’s destination and if they notice unusual activity they can step in to help. Then a student can end the walk so it is known they reached their destination safely. The friend walk allows for a similar process but instead of campus security, a friend can view the student’s travel.
Seriana Hatt, a sophomore, experienced a time that she needed to use the virtual walk home. She said “When there was a tornado towards the end of the last semester I used the app to track my journey and get myself to safety.”
Hannah Elsobky also used the UTulsa Safe App during the tornado. She said, “The virtual safety feature made me feel really safe when I was trying to locate hurricane shelters on campus. I felt like I knew someone knew where I was and therefore I felt safe.”
Other options on the app include mental health resources: TimelyCare is a psychological and counselling services, 988 is a suicide and crisis hotline, CaneCares is a self help tool kit, and employee assistance. Notifications and live updates about closures and emergency situations concerning the weather that affect campus will be communicated through the app as well.
There are study and work alone options, where students can check in and check out of studying or working alone. If a student does not check in, the app will automatically trigger a call to a family, friend or UTulsa Security. There is a prepare and respond section for students, faculty, staff and visitors to ensure they are able to suffer less impacts and a quicker recovery process. There is a prepare section which includes how to prepare for an emergency and a response section such as an active shooter or hazardous materials spill.
There is a campus map provided that shows where storm shelters are. There is the option to report a concern or tip. Furthermore, a safety toolbox is provided with a variation of tools to enhance safety such as loud alarms, bicycle registration and I’m OK! There are also sexual assault resources including calling 911 and the reporting options.
