A look at safety services at U of G
Campus Community Police:
The University of Guelph Campus Community Police, established almost 50 years ago, is one of the oldest campus policing services in Canada. The Special Constables who work for the Campus Police have similar authority to that of municipal officers. However, this authority is limited to the boundaries of the university property. The Campus Community Police provide service to the University of Guelph community 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Campus Police enforce Municipal, Provincial, and Federal law, as well as the University of Guelph Student Rights and Responsibilities and the university’s code of conduct. The Campus Community Police also maintain a close relationship with the Guelph Municipal Police and the Guelph Fire Department, to strengthen the protection of the university community.
The Campus Police dispatching centre monitors emergency phones, as well as all video surveillance, intrusion alarms, and fire alarms across campus. The Campus Community Police are located in the Trent Building, between Maids Hall and Blackwood Hall – also home to the Campus Fire Prevention and Parking Services. Potential crime and campus emergencies can be reported to the Campus Community Police at extension 2000. Non-emergencies and other concerns should be reported at extension 52245.
SafeGryphon app:
The Campus Community Police announced the SafeGryphon campus safety app last semester as a part of their movement to improve safety on campus.
The SafeGryphon app includes a Click-to-Call feature, which puts the user quickly in contact with emergency services. The app also sends push notifications with emergency information and updates, even when the app itself is not in use. There is a mapping function within the app that allows the user to interact with maps of the campus and easily email GPS location to emergency services. The app also has a personal alarm and flashlight feature, which allows the user to draw attention in emergency situations.
CSA SafeWalk:
The University of Guelph SafeWalk program, founded in 1991, is a CSA service which provides students, staff, and campus visitors with a safe accompaniment when walking after dark.
SafeWalk volunteers are available from 7:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. every night, excepting the break between semesters and the summer semester. The SafeWalk services operate anywhere on campus, including the Arboretum and the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), to the edges of campus boundaries. Any person looking for accompaniment to an off-campus destination may request this service in advance via email.
To request SafeWalk services, students can use extension 53200, push the SafeWalk button on any campus pay phone, use the talk button on the Emergency Poles located across campus, or simply approach any team of the volunteers on campus during the hours of operation.
First Response Team:
The University of Guelph First Response Team, founded about 20 years ago, is a student-run team of volunteers which provides on-call and special event coverage to the campus community though emergency first-aid services. A division of St. John Ambulance, the First Response Team was originally implemented as a support service for intramural activities within the Department of Athletics. The First Response Team also provides first aid coverage at special events, such as Homecoming and College Royal.
The First Response Team provide service to the entire University of Guelph campus from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. during the week, and are available 24 hours a day on weekends. Operating under the directive of the Campus Community Police and Fire Prevention, the First Response Team are available at extension 2000 in the case of any on campus medical emergency.