INFORMATIONAL MESSAGE FROM ALERT CAROLINA: Joint Message from Chief Jeff McCracken and Vice Chancellor Winston Crisp

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

With the start of a new academic year, we want to reinforce the importance of safety and well-being for everyone in the Carolina community. To help you remain safe, on and off campus, the University is providing an app that turns your cell phone into a personal safety device. The Rave Guardian Campus Safety App is a joint initiative between Student Affairs and the Department of Public Safety, and is available to you for free.

With the app, you can create an online safety network that allows you to check in with family, friends, Department of Public Safety officers and other people you trust to help you stay safe.

With the app you can:
• Set a safety timer to notify people you trust to check in on you if you are alone or in an unfamiliar place. You can activate the timer to alert Public Safety and any other designated friends or family members if the timer isn’t turned off within the timeframe you set (just be sure to turn it off when you arrive at your destination);
• Invite family members, friends or other people you trust to be your Guardians, and communicate with them within the app, much the way you do with your cell phone contact list;
• Call UNC Public Safety directly for help if you are in trouble, and send text tips – including photos – if you see something suspicious; and
• Link directly to a Smart911 safety profile you create, which contains information including your residence details (both home and campus), medical conditions and more. If you require assistance, your profile is displayed to UNC Public Safety officers or to Smart911-enabled 911 centers nationwide when you are off campus.

You can download the app on both Apple and Android devices. See https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/raveguardian/id691246562?mt=8 for iPhones and https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ravemobilesafety.raveguardian for Android devices. Once you download the app and create your profile, the app home screen on your phone will display “UNC Guardian.”

You can learn more about this new safety app at http://raveguardian.unc.edu/. We hope you’ll download it and begin using it right away.

Sincerely,

Chief Jeff McCracken, Director of Public Safety
Winston Crisp, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs