Leveraging Technology to Boost Campus Safety

In a recent survey, a staggering 82% of college students reported feeling unsafe on campus. It’s a major concern for students, parents, and administrators as they strive to create an environment that is safe and welcoming.

As the need for improved safety measures increases, new technology is offering a variety of tools that can be implemented on campus. Some of these include:

• IP-enabled cameras   
  These cameras offer enhancements like tracking people in frame, sensors that detect smoke and motion, and the ability to set off alarms in the case of an emergency.

• Gunfire detection systems
  New systems are being built to count shots fired, identify which weapon was used, and even track where a shooter is on campus.

• GIS and IPS
  Geographic information systems (GIS) and indoor positioning systems (IPS) are improving the ability to pinpoint exactly where an emergency is occurring.        

As this technology continues to develop, mobile-centric solutions are also offering new ways to improve safety on college campuses.

Access Control Systems Create Safer Environments

Access control systems have been a go-to method for safety on campuses for many years. However, as safety concerns continue to grow, the systems are also adapting to provide more security features than ever before.

Student ID mobile credential is leading the way as the most flexible solution. Students simply hover or scan their enabled devices near or over an access control system, granting access to dormitories, events, class buildings, and more. Having the credential on students' devices limits the number of lost or stolen ID cards, keeping buildings more secure.

Mobile Credential is also easy to enable and disable as needed. This allows administrators to quickly control access without students having any involvement (i.e. returning the card).

As easily as access privileges can be given or taken, administrators can add new functions or make upgrades to the student ID mobile credential. For example, altering which cards are accessible and where can be completed with just the click of a button. n the case of an emergency, this will prove to be an incredibly useful feature.

Contactless Payments Provide a Safer Alternative

The pandemic brought along a new wave of health and safety concerns, not just on college campuses but anywhere two people come into contact. There was a scramble to find ways to ensure safety and slow the spread of the virus.

Administrators saw the need to find a solution in necessary, high-touch areas like the bookstore and dining halls. Following the trend from businesses outside of the education space, schools began accepting contactless payments.

Similar to access control systems, students can hover or tap their enabled devices near a card reader to use their campus monies to make purchases, with no contact required.

Not only does this capability work as a viable health and safety measure for students, faculty, and staff, but it also works to increase campus card transactions. The University of Montana saw a 13% increase in campus card transactions when they implemented mobile credential with the help of Transact. 

Personal Safety Becomes More Accessible

Mental health and personal safety are a growing concern on college campuses. In fact, a recent study shows that 73% of college students experience some form of mental health crisis during college.

While colleges and universities offer counseling services, it’s often difficult to keep up with the demand and in many cases, there is still a need for additional support in the form of hotlines and 24/7 emergency care.

Student ID mobile credential now has the ability to support emergency hotline capabilities. This feature comes at the perfect time as more and more states make a push to include national, state, local, and/or school-specific hotline information.

It’s a small, yet potentially life-saving way to support students and improve campus safety.

Push Notifications Keep Students in the Know

During emergencies, severe weather, and other events where safety is a concern, administrators need the ability to communicate with students, faculty, and staff quickly and securely.

With the help of technology and mobile-centric campuses, new tools allow administrators to send out push notifications to anyone within the system. The information is immediate and can be set up to include additional forms of communication like texts, phone calls, and emails. This ensures students are in the know and gives them every opportunity to act accordingly in the case of an emergency.

Transact Offers the Technology to Boost Your Campus Safety

In a world where technology is king, leveraging it to improve campus safety is key.

The best place to start is by creating a mobile-centric campus. This opens the door to a variety of solutions that can make your campus safer and more secure.

At Transact, the student experience is our top priority and we recognize feeling safe on campus plays a large role in that. This is why we offer Transact Mobile Credential, the premier Student ID product tailored to meet your university’s unique needs.

To learn more about our solutions and how they can improve safety on your campus, visit https://transactcampus.com/.