Classes begin Monday at Lincoln University, and school officials believe an investment they made earlier this year will provide another safety measure for students.
This spring, the school invested $38,370 in the Rave Alert and Rave Guardian phone app, which students can access on their smartphones, LU spokeswoman Misty Young said. Jefferson City and Cole County governments have also invested in the Rave system to alert the public, through their smartphones, in the event of an emergency.
"The phone app provides emergency alerts to students, but it also gives students a bit of personal security," Young said. "There is a safety timer that alerts Lincoln University police as a virtual escort. If the individual does not turn the timer off after the selected time or the department notices through GPS that the person hasn't made it to their location, they will attempt to contact them via text or send an officer."
Young said there is a chat feature that allows students to report anything suspicious, even anonymously.
"Plus, one button connects them directly to LUPD," Young added. "This app works whether they are on campus, out in the community or back in their hometown or home state. They will still be connected with LUPD who can then connect with whatever help they might need in that jurisdiction."
LU is promoting use of the app, as well as providing more courses or talks about personal safety, in the wake of incidents last year in which two Lincoln students were shot and killed off-campus.
D'Angelo Bratton-Bland, 23, president of Lincoln University's Student Government Association, died after being shot in December in the 200 block of Dawson Street, which is northeast of the LU campus. In August 2018, Charon Session, 23, was shot and killed after a confrontation at a home on Tanya Lynn Drive - about 3 miles west of the LU campus.
Next week, Young said, the university should have the final number of students who have enrolled for classes this fall. Last year, 2,478 students enrolled at LU in the fall.