Kaylie Wang is an English sophomore and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
Every time I have to walk home late or in the dark, I FaceTime my family group chat. Although they are 230 miles away, their company over the phone provides me comfort and a sense of safety.
Since daylight savings time ended and we shifted an hour back, it’s dark out even when walking back from class at 5 p.m. Especially because I am a female student, I often feel more vigilant when walking around campus now that it gets dark earlier — and I’m not the only one.
“I’d say usually in the winter, I try to get home as early as I can,” Rilyn Hirsh, a biology sophomore, said. “I’ll wake up earlier and do stuff in the morning if that means I could be home earlier.”
Losing daylight earlier in the day makes students feel more cautious when walking around campus. But at the same time, I rarely hear of people actually using campus resources to get around safely.
“I know that there are resources, but like I kind of always forget that they exist,” Stella Cardoso, a mathematics senior, said. “If I do need to use them, I don’t remember where to go or how to access them.”
It’s crucial that students understand what campus safety resources are available and feel comfortable using them. They exist for a reason – we pay tuition to feel safe living and working on a college campus, so might as well take advantage.
Here is a list of the resources available on campus through the Mustang Safe app, when you can use them and how you can access them.
How to use the Mustang Safe App
Did you know that Rave Guardian isn’t used by Cal Poly anymore? If you read those emails buried in your inbox, you would know that Cal Poly has transitioned to Mustang Safe. Make sure you delete Rave Guardian from your phone if you still have it installed, because it will stop you from installing Mustang Safe.
READ MORE: Cal Poly launches new campus safety app ‘Mustang Safe’ to replace ‘Rave Guardian’
You also need to log in with your Cal Poly ID to access all of the app’s features.
Mustang Patrol
Students can be connected with a dispatch to access Mustang Patrol through the app.
If you feel uncomfortable walking across campus by yourself, request a safety walk with Mustang Patrol through the Mustang Safe app or by calling Cal Poly Police at 805-756-2281. Students, faculty and staff can notify Mustang Patrol, who will meet you and walk with you anywhere on campus, such as your dorm or parked car. They are available Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 8 p.m. through 2 a.m.
Virtual Walkhome
Students can be connected with a dispatch to access Mustang Patrol through the app.
If you feel uncomfortable walking across campus by yourself, request a safety walk with Mustang Patrol through the Mustang Safe app or by calling Cal Poly Police at 805-756-2281. Students, faculty and staff can notify Mustang Patrol, who will meet you and walk with you anywhere on campus, such as your dorm or parked car. They are available Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 8 p.m. through 2 a.m.
Friend Walk
Students can use the app to temporarily send their location to their friends.
If you’d feel more comfortable sharing your location with a friend rather than Cal Poly Public Safety, you can use the app to access a “Friend Walk” feature. This feature temporarily shares your location with a friend.
Rather than just telling a friend “text me when you get home safely,” you can set your destination, and your friend can track your walk home in relation to the set direction to the destination.
If you are like me and already have all of your friends’ locations, this is still useful because it notifies your friend to start paying attention to your location at that exact moment. The feature also compares the friend’s location to the direction of their destination, so that you can make sure they are on their way home.
The app also allows you to call and text 911, Cal Poly Police Department, chat anonymously and report concerns.
Right now, take five minutes to install the Mustang Safety app, log in, enable location tracking and just navigate the app. Add 805-756-2281, Cal Poly Police’s phone number, to your contact list. Get comfortable accessing these resources now, because you never know when you may need it.