Rave Guardian is a mobile app which enhances safety on campus through real-time interactive features that create a virtual safety network of friends, family, and Public Safety. The app allows students to create a safety profile to alert friends and family when they are walking alone. It also features a safety timer to alert campus security when a student does not arrive at the planned destination within a certain amount of time.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions about the Rave Guardian App.

  • 1) What is Rave Guardian?

    The Rave Guardian mobile phone app enhances safety on campus through real-time features that create a virtual safety network of friends, family, and the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

    This service is intended for use within the CUA campus boundary.

    Your location and information are not visible to DPS unless the safety escort alarm expires or emergency features are activated.

    If your safety timer expires outside the campus boundary and the alarm alerts DPS, we will try to contact you. If we cannot, we will attempt to contact the local police force. DPS cannot respond physically outside the CUA campus boundary.

  • 2) Does Rave Guardian replace calling DPS or 911 in the event of an emergency?

    No, Rave Guardian is not a substitute for calling DPS (202-319-5111) when on the CUA campus or the police (911) when off the CUA campus. Rave Guardian should not be your first choice for making an emergency assistance call.

  • 3) Who can use RAVE Guardian virtual safety escort?

    CUA students, faculty, and staff who have a CUA login (cua.edu, cardinalmail.cua.edu, law.edu) may initiate the Rave Guardian service.

    Anyone with a smartphone may serve as a virtual guardian.

  • 4) How do I setup Rave Guardian on my smartphone?

    Follow the appropriate link:

  • 5) How does it work?

    Download and install the application through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

    After you download the app, you will need to complete the registration process by entering your CUA email address and creating a password (8 characters). You will be prompted to enter a security question and answer, your mobile phone number, and a 4-digit pin number. Optional: Update your Rave Guardian profile with your physical description and any individual items you think would be helpful in the event of the need for an emergency response. The more information you provide, the more the Department of Public Safety knows if they need to assist you in an emergency.

    Rave Guardian allows user-activated GPS tracking information to be sent to your friends and the Department of Public Safety. If you need immediate assistance, but are unable to give your location, Rave Guardian will help emergency responders locate you. Your location is never visible to the Department of Public Safety unless the escort timer alarm or emergency call feature is activated.

  • 6) Can I request a virtual safety escort if I am outside the CUA campus?

    This application will function from any location where your phone can generate a GPS signal and communicate with your guardians.

    If your safety timer expires outside the campus boundary and the alarm alerts DPS, we will try to contact you. If we cannot, we will attempt to contact the local police force. DPS cannot respond physically outside the CUA campus boundary.

  •  7) Will Rave Guardian let other people like my family or friends track me?

    Yes, you can select anyone with a smartphone to be your Guardian.

    Your non-DPS Guardian(s) that you have selected will only be able to see your location when you initiate a safety timer.

  • 8) Is Rave Guardian always tracking me?

    No, you must initiate a Rave Guardian session for tracking to function. Location information will only be shared with DPS when your safety timer expires or the emergency call feature is activated. Location information will be shared with non-DPS Guardian(s) that you have selected when you initiate a safety timer.

  • 9) What if I forget to turn off the Rave Guardian timer?

    The user receives several reminder messages before the alarm goes off. When an alarm goes off, it notifies your Guardian(s) for action.

    If DPS is a Guardian, DPS will attempt to call your cell phone before taking any other steps.

  • 10) How much will this service cost me?

    Registration for this service is free to all current CUA students, faculty, and staff with an active CUA email address.

    You are responsible for any text messaging fees and minutes charged by your cell phone service provider.

  • 11) How is my privacy protected? Will Rave Guardian release my number to marketers?

    Profile data is stored privately and securely within Rave Mobile Safety's redundant and geographically diverse databases. Rave will not release your information to any third party for marketing purposes. For more information about Rave's privacy policies, go to https://www.getrave.com/help/Privacy.do.

  • 12) Important Points to Remember

    If off campus, call 911 directly in case of emergency.

    If on campus, call 202-319-5111 to report campus-based police, fire, suspicious circumstances, or medical emergencies to the CUA Department of Public Safety

    The app can be loaded on smartphones running iOS or Android.

    As with any cell phone usage, certain factors (such as signal strength, type and quality of your phone carrier, and dead spots) can affect the GPS locator accuracy.

    To obtain the full benefit of this service, update your profile with a current photo and accurate self-description. The more information you provide in your profile, the easier it will be for DPS to assist you. You can change your profile picture and information at any time.

    When using the safety escort timer tool, it is strongly recommended that you enter a status in text giving your current location, intended destination, and intended course of travel. This information will greatly facilitate any response actions coordinated by DPS.

    Your profile information will not be viewable by your Guardian(s) or DPS if you conduct a successful timer activation and de-activation. Your Guardian(s) and DPS will see your profile information only if your alarm has been activated (panic alarm or timer expiration).

    Your location is only visible to DPS if the safety escort alarm expires or emergency features are activated. CUA cannot check on you or locate you through Rave Guardian without you initiating the session.

  •  13) Where do I ask questions about Rave Guardian?

    Please address all questions about Rave Guardian to the Dean of Students at cua-deanofstudents@cua.edu or 202-319-5619.

  • 14) What other college campuses use Rave Guardian?

    American University, Howard University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of Pennsylvania. For more info visit www.ravemobilesafety.com.