USC has launched a new integrated safety and security system, called SafeUSC, to boost wellbeing and safety across its growing campuses.

The new system has an emphasis on early identification, intervention and management of matters of behavioural concern, and will be the first of its kind at universities in Queensland

It combines the efforts of USC’s Security and Emergency Management and its Student Wellbeing teams to form a collaborative Safer Community Unit (SafeUSC).

A key feature is a mobile phone app, called SafeZone, that makes it easy for students and staff to request help, trigger an emergency response, receive rapid notifications in the event of emergencies and benefit from a wide range of services.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the new system was needed as USC continued to grow rapidly across its existing campuses from Brisbane to the Fraser Coast, and with USC Moreton Bay due to open in early 2020.

“SafeUSC is based on the Safer Community model used in many universities in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia,” he said. “It has yet to be implemented at any university in Queensland.

“The Safer Community framework provides an institutional-wide holistic approach to community safety that considers how to achieve and cultivate a culture of safety and respect.

“It also provides a mechanism for both proactive and reactive initiatives to promote campus safety and the management of major campus safety events.”

SafeUSC’s services include providing first aid, safety escorts, consultation relating to safety or concerning behaviours, closer-circuit TV, emergency response, crime prevention advice, connection to other support services, and 24-hour assistance to the USC community.