A message from Vice President Rue and Police Chief Lawson

August 28, 2018

This message was e-mailed to students, faculty and staff Aug. 28 on behalf of Vice President for Campus Life Penny Rue and Chief of Police Regina Lawson:

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As Wake Forest begins the 2018-19 academic year, it is a good time to share information about University resources related to safety and security that are available to students, faculty and staff. Much of this information may be familiar to returning students, as well as faculty and staff who have been here a while.  Students new to the University may have learned about some of it, already, but it is valuable information that is worth repeating.

Wake Alert

• Wake Alert is the University’s mass notification system for communicating about emergencies and less threatening but significant situations involving safety and security. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to become familiar with it. Visit the Wake Alert website, where messages would be posted in an emergency, and another website, Wake Ready, which offers considerable information about emergency preparedness, key University contacts in emergencies and more.
• For the first time, Wake Forest is using a new mass notification software that will enable Wake Alert messages to be delivered rapidly through several communication methods, simultaneously. In an emergency, a Wake Alert message can be sent using the Wake Alert website, a banner at the top of the University home page, text messaging, e-mail, voice mail, Twitter and Facebook.  The University can use additional methods for announcing emergencies, including outdoor and indoor alert systems.
• As in the past, the University community will also see Wake Alert being used, occasionally, for a non-emergency crime alert, as well as announcing extraordinarily unstable weather or a campus closing due to snowy and icy conditions.

LiveSafe

• Download the LiveSafe mobile app. The app is free and makes it easy 24/7 to engage in a two-way conversation with the Wake Forest University Police Department. As the department’s web site announces, “With LiveSafe, you can use your cell phone as a personal security device that allows direct access to police, 911 emergency services, emergency location sharing, information sharing with quick tips, and a peer-to-peer SafeWalk tool.  The app can be useful to students, faculty and staff.

University Shuttles

• Transportation and Parking Services offers a system of complimentary shuttles available to the University community. Throughout the night, the OnCall demand shuttle can be especially helpful.  It is available daily during the academic year from 6 p.m.-7 a.m.  Check this website for shuttle schedules and more details.
• The Transloc Rider app can be used to catch a ride and track University shuttles through GPS technology.

University Police

• When needing help in an emergency at Wake Forest, the University Police Department can be reached at 336-758-5911. If using a campus phone, call 911.  In non-emergencies, University Police can be reached at 336-758-5591 or, when using a campus phone, at 311.
• Anonymous tips can be made to University Police through the LiveSafe app or the Silent Witness form on the University Police website.
• The University Police Department is located in Alumni Hall. It can be accessed 24/7 in person.  If the building’s exterior door leading to the department’s offices is locked, a phone at the entrance can be used to call police and gain entry.

Support Services for Crime Victims

• Numerous support services are available at Wake Forest for victims of crime, in addition to the University Police Department and the department’s Victim Support Program.

They include:

• The University Counseling Center which provides confidential mental health counseling.
• The Safe Office which provides confidential support to students who have experienced sexual or relationship violence.
• The Student Health Service which is open 24/7 during the academic year and provides confidential health care to students.
• The Office of the Chaplain which provides confidential pastoral care to victims of crime.
• The University’s Title IX Office which investigates cases of sexual misconduct and offers information about support services it offers to students, faculty and staff. The office’s website also offers thorough information about “how to get support” on and off campus.
• The Employee Assistance Program is also available to University employees.

The University Police Department offers training of various sorts. It includes Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training.  Visit the website for details.

Wake Forest is committed to a safe and secure setting for students, faculty, staff and all others who are at the University for a variety of reasons.  In addition to sending emergency alerts, crime alerts and similar messages, University officials will communicate as directly as possible with the campus community when safety and security matters are at the forefront of campus concern and discussion.

If anyone has questions or comments regarding any of these matters, they are welcome to contact us. We are here to help.

Penny Rue
Vice President for Campus Life

Regina Lawson
Chief of Police