Rave Guardian Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rave Guardian?
Rave Guardian is a free smart-phone app that provides users with access to helpful safety and security resources on campus, a safety timer for a virtual buddy system, and interactive campus maps. It also pushes CMU-Alert emergency communications through the app to your smart phone.
Note: Whether or not you download the app, you will still receive CMU-Alert notifications via the other modes of contact (text, voice, email.)
Who can use Rave Guardian?
The application is available for use by all currently registered CMU students and current employees of CMU. Users must have an Andrew ID to log in.
What safety features does Rave Guardian provide?
Rave Guardian allows you to:
- Create a safety timer and share it with your designated contacts (i.e., Guardians.) The safety timer feature allows app users to import contacts from their smart phone. App users can then select a contact as a Guardian to let them know where they are and if they got to their destination safely. As the timer begins to run out, app users can extend their safety timer to allow for more time to complete their activity, deactivate the timer, alert their Guardian, or contact University Police. If the timer runs out before the app user extends the time or reaches the destination, the Guardian can contact the user or University Police. Guardians do not have to have the app in order to receive the safety timer. (They receive the information via text message)
- Contact University Police using an emergency call button
- Share your profile and location information with university police in case of an emergency situation
- Access phone numbers of important university resources
- View interactive campus maps
- Access to the CMU-Alert website to view alerts and get information on what to do in emergency situations
Is Rave Guardian always tracking me?
No. Your privacy is of the utmost importance. You can only be located if you have asked for help. Rave Guardian location information is only enabled when you choose to make an emergency call to University Police, or when your safety timer expires, and your designated guardians are notified.
Can University Police track me whenever they want?
No. University Police will only be able to obtain your information if you contact University Police and not before. Rave Guardian location information is only activated when the location settings are enabled on your smartphone.
Is my Rave Guardian profile secure and is my privacy protected?
Yes. Rave Mobile Safety (the provider of Rave Guardian) uses the latest in security technologies and processes to ensure that all your information is kept secure and private. Rave also undergoes regular security audits to ensure the information security of data.
Your profile data is stored privately and securely within Rave Mobile Safety's databases. Your profile can only be viewed by University Police when they are contacted through the app. Data is never shared with any 3rd parties not affiliated with CMU.
Does the app require users to have a certain type of phone/plan?
No. The basic profile features of Rave Guardian work on any mobile phone running on any US-based mobile network. If you’re in an area without a cellular signal, the app can use a WIFI connection.
Is the Rave Guardian app free? How do I install it?
Yes, it is free. Visit the iPhone App Store or Google Play store and search for “Rave Guardian.” Download and install Rave Guardian on your mobile device. Ensure location and notifications are enabled. Follow the registration procedure by providing your cell phone number and following subsequent instructions. It is also recommended, but optional, to upload a photo to your profile so the police can identify you in the event of an emergency.
How does Rave Guardian get my information?
In addition to the optional information you provide, Rave Guardian imports staff and faculty contact information from Workday. Student contact information is imported from SIO. Personal profile information will be treated as confidential information.
How can I tell if my mobile phone can provide its location to Rave Guardian?
Rave Guardian can locate most devices on the AT&T, Nextel, Sprint, and Verizon networks. Once you have registered for Rave Guardian, you will be presented with information about location services on your mobile carrier.
Can I still use the app if my carrier or mobile phone cannot provide its location information to Rave Guardian?
Yes. Rave Guardian works with any mobile phone, on practically any carrier. If Rave Guardian cannot determine your phone's location because the phone does not support that function you can still use the system. All other profile information will be made available to University Police when you use Rave Guardian.
Will University Police be notified if my safety timer expires?
No, only contacts that you have designated as a “Guardian” when starting the timer are notified. University Police are only notified if you contact them directly.
Does Rave Guardian work off-campus?
The features of the Rave Guardian app will work off-campus. However, if you have an emergency at an off-campus location you should dial 9-1-1.
What information should I include in my profile?
The more information you provide, the more University Police know if they need to assist you in an emergency. At a minimum, a recent photo and emergency contact information are great places to start. If you have a health issue or other personal safety concern, you can include that information as well. You determine the information to include in your profile.
Do I have to have “push notifications” turned on for Rave Guardian?
We recommend that you allow notifications from Rave Guardian. This will alert you when your timer is about to expire, when you have received a response from University Police or when someone has requested you as a Guardian. The app also receives CMU-Alert notifications.
What do I do if I see messages or resources that don’t seem to apply to me or my location?
You might have selected the wrong site when installing the app. CMU has locations around the world that are also serviced by the app. Simply click the gear icon in the upper right corner of the app’s home screen and ensure the site you have selected matches the campus you’re on (i.e., Pittsburgh.)
I received a text message requesting that I “keep an eye on” one of my mobile-phone contacts. What does this mean and what should I do?
This means you’ve been designated as your contact’s “Guardian” for a period of time. It is recommended that you contact the person to discuss why she/he has designated you as such. Otherwise, you can follow the instructions provided in the text messages.
Can I still contact University Police if I don’t use the app?
Absolutely. When on-campus, you can contact University Police at (412) 268-2323. When you are off campus, dial 9-1-1.
Are there certain factors that can affect the location accuracy of GPS?
Yes. Factors include, but are not limited to: whether or not you are calling from inside a building or a “dead spot”; the strength of your cell signal, such as proximity of cell towers or satellites; whether or not your phone is GPS-enabled and, the type and quality of your phone, carrier, and signal. If possible, you should provide detailed location information via text or voice. This will enable University Police personnel to reach you quickly when Rave Guardian is activated.