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By Kelsey Kendall 

Old ��ֱ���� University has enhanced its safety services for the new school year, providing students, families, faculty and staff and the broader community with a range of tools designed to promote safety and well-being on- and off-campus. 

The University is expanding its reach with ODU Alerts, which notifies the campus community — including Old ��ֱ���� University’s Eastern Virginia Medical School campus and other auxiliary campuses. Visitors, ODU families and community members and vendors and contractors conducting work on ODU’s campuses will be able to sign up to receive alerts in case of campus emergencies. Students are automatically enrolled for ODU Alerts and others can find information on how to sign up on the University’s website.   

ODU Safe is replacing the LiveSafe mobile app, offering new features and resources to benefit the University community.   

“The ODU Safe App is an important tool for the Monarch community in maintaining a safe campus. It provides a centralized platform for students, faculty and staff to access safety features and resources,” said Garrett Shelton, chief of police and assistant vice president for public safety. “ODU Safe is an enhanced tool that will aid in maintaining a safe and secure environment for the ODU community.” 

ODU Safe, available for free through the Apple Appstore and Google Play, can be accessed by students, faculty and staff using their MIDAS logins. Guest logins are available for members of the broader community.

The new app, developed by AppArmor, offers many of the same features as its predecessor, such as a panic alarm that allows users to call ODU Police and share their real-time locations. It also features a platform to submit tips to law enforcement — anonymously or not. The app includes multiple emergency and key contacts to assist in communications during an emergency.  

The Safety Toolbox includes several functions such as the “I’m OK” feature, which allows users to share their location and a message indicating they are safe during an on-campus incident to friends or family.  

The Safety Companion or Share a Trip Home feature allows either friends, family or ODU Police to see that a user made it home safely by sharing their location.  

Under “Support Resources,” the app shares information on academic advising, counseling, health services, YWCA sexual and domestic violence service and more through web links and direct contact information. Emergency guides are available to outline procedures and evacuation plans incrisis situations.  

Individuals can also contact ODU Police by calling (757) 683-4000 for emergencies and (757) 683-5665 for non-emergencies or stop to talk to an officer if they see one.