USSU Services: Safewalk

SPECIAL NOTICE: The USSU Safewalk has moved! You can find the office at their new temporary location in Lower Sask Hall. To view a map of the new location Click Here

The USSU Safewalk Office is closed for the summer and will be reopening in the fall. Please check back for reopening dates, however, you can receive a Safwalk at anytime by calling 966-SAFE (7233); when the service is not offered by volunteers, it is taken over by Campus Safety.

Safewalk is a service provided through the USSU by volunteers and in partnership with Campus Safety. Any student, staff or faculty member can access this service and receive an escort to their car, office, or residence.

Safewalk is run by volunteers who operate in male-female pairs Sunday through Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.  You can arrange for someone to meet you by calling 966-SAFE(7233), using the free green Safewalk call button on any Sasktel payphone on the U of S campus.

Book a walk fast and easily by filling out the SAFEWALK recurring walk form and dropping it off in the main USSU officein room 103 Memorial Union Building.

Links to Maps:

• USSU Recommended Route Map
• Safewalk Boundaries Map

On average, Safewalk provides approximately 300 walks per year to U of S staff, students and visitors.  Safewalk has approximately 35 volunteers each year. All volunteers are given police background checks, and must pass through an interview process.

For more information on this service please contact the Safewalk coordinator at 966-8038, or the USSU at 966-6960.

Please help the USSU and the Safewalk Coordinator make the USSU safewalk program one of the best by filling out this Safewalk review. Thank-you for your time!!

To volunteer for the program, please download and complete this application form and drop it off at the USSU Office.

WHEN IS SAFEWALK AVAILABLE?

You can receive a Safewalk at ANYTIME.  The Safewalk Volunteers operate Monday through Thursday, 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.  However, you can receive a Safewalk at anytime by calling 966-SAFE; when the volunteers are not on, the service is taken over by Campus Safety  

HOW DO I GET A SAFEWALK?

 There are a number of different ways to receive a Safewalk

1. Call Safewalk at 966-SAFE (use one of the freephones, or the Green button on any Sasktel payphone) and request a walk.  The dispatcher will require your first name, pick up location and time, and destination.  Feel free to call in advance!
2. Stop one of the patrolling teams on the street.  Our patrollers are friendly and here to help and you are never inconveniencing them!
3. Complete the attached form and return it to the USSU office.

DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR SAFEWALK?

No, you simply specify where you would like the Safewalk volunteers to meet you when you call 966-SAFE or on your booking form, and our volunteers will happily escort you to your destination.

DO I HAVE TO MEET THE SAFEWALK VOLUNTEERS AT THE KIOSK?

No, you can call 966-SAFE and the Safewalk volunteers will be happy to meet you anywhere on campus, or within the boundaries off campus in order to walk you to or from your home, car, office or class.

HOW FAR WILL THE SAFEWALKERS ESCORT ME?

The Safewalkers will take you as far as a 30 minute radius of Place Riel.  The physical boundaries can be seen on this map and are elastic up to two blocks.  For example; the South West boundary is the corner of 14^th Street and Clarence, but if need be and if time allows, the Safewalkers will go as far as 12^th and Clarence.  However, a clear destination should be established before the walk begins.

WILL I HAVE TO WAIT TO RECEIVE MY SAFEWALK?

Sometimes are busier than others and you may need to wait while the Safewalk volunteers are returning from a walk or patrol.  In most cases, if there is a wait it should not be longer than 20 minutes.

WHY SAFEWALK?  IS CAMPUS UNSAFE?

The Safewalk program is not a reaction to crime, it is a proactive way for students, staff and faculty to prevent crime.  We are lucky to be on one of the safest campuses in Canada.  However, like any area of the City of Saskatoon, the campus community is susceptible to some crime.  Safewalk provides security in numbers, and through their patrols the volunteers also act as an extra set of eyes and ears for Campus Safety.

For more information on this service or if you would like to become a member of Student Crew, please contact:

Ruvimbo Kanyemba Student Crew/Safe Walk Coordinator University of Saskatchewan Students' Union Room 103, Memorial Union Building 93 Campus Drive Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2 Phone: 966-8038 Email: student.crew@ussu.ca