Designed to offer secure and timely communication with campus police, the app is a vital resource for students and faculty who may find themselves in unsafe situations.

The Rave phone app leverages GPS technology to alert campus police to the user’s location, providing an efficient alternative to calling 911 directly. It is tailored for a variety of emergency scenarios, including intruders, suspicious activities, active shooters, campus altercations and other emergency and/or life-threatening incidents.

UIS Officer Adam Rade, a member of the UIS Police force for over six years, highlighted the app’s convenience and effectiveness. “We introduce the Rave app to students through orientation, a sign-up event, and email alerts,” Rade explained.

He emphasized the app’s practicality, noting that its GPS capabilities are robust enough to track users even as far as Chicago.

One notable feature is the “Panic Button,” formerly known as “Call in Campus Police,” which allows users to quickly alert officers if they are in immediate danger, such as during a car accident.

The app also includes a “Safety Timer” feature. Users can activate this timer and designate “guardians” who will be notified of their location. If the timer expires without deactivation, the app will send alerts to the guardians and campus police.

Rade further explained that the app’s GPS tracking remains accurate even if users are outside campus. “You could be seven or eight minutes away, and if you forget to deactivate your safety timer, UIS police and dispatch will still be able to locate you,” he said.

In addition to emergency features, the Rave app offers a “Resources and Referrals” section for students seeking counseling, mental health support, or other assistance.

The “Submit Tip” function allows users to report suspicious activities quickly, helping the police address potential issues before they escalate.

The app also includes a Call Directory that connects users to critical resources such as 911, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Sojourn Shelter and Services and the Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault.

Officer Rade encourages all UIS community members to download the Rave app, emphasizing its role in creating a safer campus environment. “This app is incredibly useful for everyone at UIS,” he said. “It helps ensure that we all have access to vital safety resources and support.”

The Rave application is available for download on smartphones and is an essential tool for enhancing safety and communication on the UIS campus.