Safewalk program helps you reach your destination

While the majority of the campus community is working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still a number of people who need to come to campus to work and study.

Safewalk is a free University of Calgary service that walks students, faculty, staff or campus visitors anywhere on campus. A pair of trained Safewalk volunteers can walk anyone in the campus community to their office, car, classroom or the LRT station anytime of day. This includes McMahon Stadium, Health Sciences, Student Family Housing, the Alberta Children's Hospital, and the University LRT station.

• Photo above taken in June 2019, by Riley Brandt, University of Calgary

“During the COVID-19 pandemic there are fewer people on campus, but we have seen consistent use of our service the last few months,” says Rick Gysen, director of campus security. “It’s getting dark a lot earlier now, and the campus is much less populated, so there is less activity and people are using the service to feel safer.”

The program has adapted to COVID-19 measures, and volunteer walkers wear a mask for the entire walk, whether walking inside or outside. They also maintain a two-metre distance.

Safewalkers are University of Calgary students; however, campus security members act as Safewalkers any time volunteers are not available.

To book a Safewalk anytime, call Campus Security at 403-220-5333. Safewalkers should be called shortly before you would like to use the service, as they can't be booked ahead of time.

Learn more about the Safewalk program.