Oberlin College and Conservatory has introduced ObieAlert, a new campus-wide emergency notification system and safety app that promises to enhance safety communication and support across campus. Created by Rave Mobile Safety — a platform used by 75 percent of colleges nationwide — ObieAlert is designed specifically for Oberlin students, faculty, and staff, offering a more sophisticated and accessible set of safety tools than the previous notification system.
In development for over a year, ObieAlert was a collaborative effort involving the Office of the Dean of Students, Campus Safety, the Office of the Registrar, the Center for Information Technology, and the Department of Human Resources, according to Tyrone Wicks, assistant director of Campus Safety.
“The new ObieAlert system represents a significant upgrade over our previous emergency notification method,” Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Karen Goff said. “While Oberlin has maintained a relatively safe environment, we are committed to proactively implementing innovative safety solutions that are easily accessible.”
Wicks described the system as a pivotal addition to maintaining a safe campus.
“In the event the unthinkable happens on our campus, we want to give our students, faculty, and staff the most options they can have to remain safe and sound,” Wicks said.
The ObieAlert app’s layout has nine primary sections with access to separate emergency services. One of the core features is the “Emergency Contacts” function, which allows users to access emergency and non-emergency support at the touch of a button, including the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Furthermore, the app includes a “Mobile Blue Light” feature, enabling users to share their precise campus location with Campus Safety instantly.
The app also includes features like “Report a Tip,” which allows users to notify Campus Safety of any concerns in real time. Other key tools include “Friend Walk” and “Virtual Walk,” which allows users to request a friend or a Campus Safety officer to track their location if they feel uncomfortable walking alone at night, and an “I’m Okay” button available with each feature, which allows users to update others on their safety status and ends their real-time location sharing.
Recognizing the need for mental health support, the app also includes a feature which provides access to after-hours counseling, ensuring that help is available around the clock. Other features such as “Support” and “Resources and Safety Toolbox” help users navigate what to do in the case of an emergency.
“We really hope students will use this as a resource,” Wicks said. “It’s really important that students feel safe on campus. I think the more access they have to this kind of resource, the safer students feel, and I know our faculty feels that way too. Download the app and encourage your friends to do the same!”
