University Events

Description: Topic: COMMUNITY-BASED DESIGN OF A PRIVACY CRITICAL MOBILE APPLICATION FOR A CAMPUS SAFETY ESCORT PROGRAM

Location: Lester Cory Conference Room (SENG), Room 213A

Zoom Conference Link: https://umassd.zoom.us/j/95336864095
Meeting ID: 953 3686 4095
Passcode: 709370

Abstract:
Sexual violence is a pervasive and underreported issue on college campuses, raising serious concerns for campus safety and support services. Ensuring student safety is a paramount concern for campuses, leading to the development of mobile safety apps and security measures. However, these solutions often outsource security functions or rely on parents or guardians for assistance, resulting in a lack of immediate support and a sense of security during emergencies. Furthermore, the absence of human connection and community care restricts the effectiveness of these applications. Therefore, this thesis proposes a non-profit, free mobile application. The application supports a community-based safety escort service by enabling individuals to ask for and receive help from dependable campus community members when navigating alone. By actively involving users in the design process, the application aims to enhance community-based safety concerns and promote a safer campus environment. Key features include the ability to request escorts, designate trusted friends as escorts, real-time location sharing, integration with campus police, and seamless integration with smartphone functionalities. Furthermore, the application has been designed as an open-source project, enabling other institutions to adopt and customize it according to their brand or university rules. This inclusive approach allows universities with limited safety budgets to benefit from the application, fostering a culture of safety and care on their campuses. By actively collaborating with other developers and organizations, we can draw on a diversity of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that the application is applicable and efficient in a variety of settings. By combining the power of technology with community involvement, we can create an inclusive and effective solution to reduce the sexual violence rate and enhance campus safety. This thesis not only presents the application itself but also provides guidance on how other institutions can adopt the application to their specific needs and requirements. By pursuing a holistic approach, we want to develop a collaborative effort to address the problems of sexual assault on college campuses and foster a safer environment for all university community members.

Advisor(s): Dr. Lance Fiondella, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, UMASS Dartmouth

Committee Members:
Dr. Hong Liu, Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, UMASS Dartmouth
Dr. Ashley Ruderman-Looff, Director of Institutional Equity, Rhode Island College

NOTE: All ECE Graduate Students are ENCOURAGED to attend.
All interested parties are invited to attend. Open to the public.

*For further information, please contact Dr. Lance Fiondella via email at lfiondella@umassd.edu