App connects UT community members with Campus Safety;
App is augmented by implementation of computer panic button
The University of Tampa has implemented the Spartan SOS campus safety app to further bolster the safety and security of the campus community.
The Spartan SOS app, developed by 911Cellular, seamlessly connects the UT community with the Department of Campus Safety. Those who download Spartan SOS can call for help without having to remember Campus Safety phone numbers. They can even do so without unlocking their smartphone with the emergency button widget.
Spartan SOS users can also anonymously send tips directly to the proper department regarding maintenance, safety and security concerns.
The app also allows students to set a timer when they travel on campus that will inform a designated guardian or friend if they do not arrive at their destination safely.
Additionally, in order to provide an increased layer of protection, UT has installed software-based computer panic buttons on staff and faculty devices, allowing them to signal for assistance from various desktops, laptops and tablets.
“Safety is a top priority at UT,” said Kevin Howell, director of UT Campus Safety. “The Spartan SOS app and the panic buttons are effective safety tools that can be easily utilized by the UT community in emergency situations.”
The technology behind both the Spartan SOS app and the computer panic buttons is tested by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and can locate an emergency signal down to the floor and room number in multi-story buildings.
This hyper-accurate location software uses the University’s existing WiFi to track an emergency caller’s location and doesn’t track unless emergency assistance is requested.
The combination of the Spartan SOS app, along with computer panic button technology, is yet another indicator that The University of Tampa prioritizes the safety and well-being of its students, staff and visitors.
The Spartan SOS app effectively replaces UT’s blue light phones, which were installed more than 20 years ago and have technology that is 30+ years old.
“The mobile safety app is a blue light in every pocket, which helps gets students help faster,” said Chad Salahshour, president of 911Cellular.
For more information, visit www.ut.edu/about-ut/university-services/campus-safety.
The University of Tampa is a private, comprehensive university located on 110 acres on the riverfront in downtown Tampa. Known for academic excellence, personal attention and real-world experience in its undergraduate and graduate programs, the University serves approximately 10,000 students from 50 states and most of the world’s 195 countries.
