Rave Guardian
As part of St. Lawrence University’s ongoing commitment to your well-being, St. Lawrence’s Safety and Security team has launched Rave Guardian, a free mobile app that turns your smartphone into a personal safety device. This safety tool is an all-purpose campus resource that enhances your personal safety whether you are on or off campus.
This app is available to current St. Lawrence students, faculty, and staff.
Download Rave Guardian (iPhone users)
Download Rave Guardian (Android users)
Key Feature: Guardians
With Rave Guardian, you can create a profile of information about yourself and invite “Guardians,” such as family, friends and even St. Lawrence’s Safety and Security team, to be part of your safety network. When needed, you can request one or more of your Guardians to virtually walk “with” you on or off campus. Think of it like having an emergency blue light system with you at all times.
Key Feature: Easy Emergency Communication
The app has a safety feature that directly connects you with St. Lawrence’s Safety and Security team (or 9-1-1 if you are off campus) in an emergency, as well as the ability to submit an anonymous tip to Safety and Security if you see something suspicious.
Other features include:
- Inbox: Receive timely campus notifications and updates
- Safety Timer: This virtual campus safety escort turns your cell phone into a “safe walk” tool that keeps your safety network informed about your location and when you safely arrive at your destination.
- Content Directory: Important resources, documents, maps, etc.
- Text Safety and Security: Two-way communications with an optional anonymous mode
- Call Directory: Numbers for campus emergencies and local resources
- Emergency Call: One-click emergency dial
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use Rave Guardian?
The application is available for use by all currently registered St. Lawrence University students and current University employees. Subscribers to the application must use a St. Lawrence email address to login.
How do I download and register for Rave Guardian
- Download the app on your smartphone.
- Register via the phone number you have set up with the University.
- When you first open the app, it will ask you for a phone number and send a verification text. It will then pull up your name and email and ask if the info is you.
- You then have the option to click if you want to receive alerts based on your location services. Then, the app will open.
Does RAVE Guardian transmit SLUALERT emergency text and phone messages?
Upon enrollment at St. Lawrence University, you are automatically set up for SLUALERTs. If you wish to update your phone number, add additional numbers, or change your preferences, you can do so through the Rave Guardian app.
Is Rave Guardian always tracking me?
No. Your privacy is of the utmost importance.
You can only be located if you have asked for help. Rave Guardian location information is enabled only when you choose to make an emergency call or send a tip. Also, when you set your safety timer, the people you designate will be sent a text with a link. They can then click on the link to monitor your safe walk using a real-time map for location tracking.
Should I designate St. Lawrence Safety and Security as one of my guardians?
This is completely up to you. However, our dispatch center will be monitoring the app 24/7 and will respond immediately if you don’t acknowledge your safety timer, whereas a friend or family member may not be readily available, especially in the wee hours of the morning.
Can St. Lawrence University Safety and Security track me whenever they want?
No. Safety and Security will only be able to obtain your information if you choose ‘St. Lawrence University Safety and Security' as your Guardian and your safety timer session expires and not before. Rave Guardian location information is only activated when the location setting is enabled on your smartphone.
Is St. Lawrence Safety and Security notified every time my safety timer expires?
No. Safety and Security is only notified of your timer expiring if you selected them to be your Guardian.
If you select a personal contact to be your guardian and your timer expires, Safety and Security will not be notified.
Will Rave Guardian let other people, like my family or friends, track me?
Yes. If you assign Guardians during any individual “timed” usage, they will have the capability to track your status. But remember: you are in full control of this feature. It only works when you program it to. You must request them as Guardians. The Guardian will receive an invitation via text with a link to download the app. They must accept you to be a Guardian.
Guardians not associated with St. Lawrence University are called “Social Guardians.” They will not have the “Call Safety and Security” Button and Eyewitness features of the app.
What if I forget to turn off my safety timer?
When using the safety timer, the user will receive a reminder text message 5 minutes before expiring. If it expires, a message immediately goes to your chosen guardian(s) and they can call your cell phone. If St. Lawrence University Safety and Security is your chosen guardian, they will contact you by phone and send an officer to your location to verify that you are OK or assist you if you are in distress.
Will tips sent through Rave Guardian be anonymous?
You can choose whether to send a tip anonymously each time you send in a text or photo tip. To send text or photo tips anonymously, tap the “Send a Tip” button and “Make Anonymous” is already checked for you.
If you choose to send a tip anonymously, Safety and Security will not be able to see your name, phone number or any other identifying information about you.
If you do not choose to send a text or photo tip anonymously, “uncheck” the “Make Anonymous” and your name, phone number, and profile are displayed to Safety and Security when you send a tip through the Rave Guardian app.
How does my profile information get collected and sent to St. Lawrence Safety and Security?
You will opt-in to this service and provide as much information as you’re comfortable with during the registration process. YOU decide what YOU provide.
To maximize the full benefit of this service, we recommend that user profiles contain:
- A current photo
- An accurate self-description
- Your address (home and school)
- Any particular health issues
- Any personal safety concerns
The more information you provide in your profile, the easier it will be for officers to locate you if necessary. The only way Safety and Security will be able to see any information in your personal profile is if you make an emergency call, send a tip, or if Safety and Security is your Guardian when your safety timer session expires. Personal profile information is treated as confidential information.
Does anyone else at the University besides Safety and Security have access to the information I provide to Rave Guardian?
Only the University’s Safety and Security Dispatch Center will have access to the information provided.
Is my Rave Guardian profile secure?
Yes. Rave Mobile Safety (the provider of Rave Guardian) uses the latest in security technologies and processes to ensure that all of your information is kept secure and private. Rave also undergoes regular security audits to ensure the data is secure.
Does Rave Guardian work off campus?
Yes, the Eyewitness Tip feature works whether you are on or off campus; however, if you have an emergency at an off-campus location, you should dial 9-1-1. If you send a tip that is not on campus, the information will be forwarded to the off-campus law enforcement agency.
Can I still contact Safety and Security if I don’t use the app?
Absolutely. When on campus, you can contact Safety and Security at (315) 229-5555. You can also walk into our office, which is located at 76 Park Street. When you are off campus, use 9-1-1.
Does Rave Guardian work with cell phone providers?
The basic profile features of Rave Guardian work on any iPhone or Android smartphone running on any U.S.-based mobile carrier network with the app installed on it. Rave Guardian can locate most smartphone devices on the AT&T, Sprint and Verizon networks. Even if Rave Guardian cannot determine your phone’s location, all other profile information will be made available to Safety and Security when you use Rave Guardian.
Do I have to have “push notifications” turned on for the St. Lawrence Guardian?
We recommend that you allow notifications from Rave Guardian. This will alert you when your timer is about to expire, when you have received a response from Safety and Security, or when someone has requested you as a Guardian.
Are there certain factors that can affect location accuracy (GPS)?
Yes. Factors include but are not limited to:
- Whether or not you are calling from inside a building or a “dead spot”
- The strength of your cell signal, such as the proximity of cell towers or satellites
- Whether or not your phone is GPS enabled and the type and quality of your phone
- Carrier and signal
If possible, you should provide detailed location information via text or voice. This will enable Safety and Security personnel to reach you quickly when Rave Guardian is activated.
If I am no longer a student at St. Lawrence or inactive from the University, will my personal information still be available and will I be able to use the St. Lawrence Guardian service?
Your Guardian account remains active until you delete it.
I have more questions about Rave Guardian that aren’t addressed here. Who do I contact?
Please contact Safety and Security Technical Services Coordinator Crysta Corbett at clcorbett@stlawu.edu or (315) 229-5629.