SNAP app added to assist students

Student Night Auxiliary Patrol is in the process of implementing a new smartphone application, free of charge, in hopes of making the service more efficient and paper free.

The app, funded by student fees and alcohol fines, will be available on any smartphone with web capabilities. Students who wish to use the service are to access SNAP’s webpage via their smartphone at www.gcsu.edu/publicsafety/snap.htm. Here there will be a link to click on that will take students to the app’s homepage where they will be prompted to fill in their name, phone number and cell phone provider. Once this information is filled in, students are to add the web link to the home page of their device. After this one-time set up process, students will be able to simply click on the shortcut on their phones to activate the app.

The app itself was built by students in the Multimedia Technology Center and allows users to electronically state their current location, where they need SNAP to take them and how many people are with them.  This information is then dispatched to Public Safety’s computer dispatch system and displayed on two computer screens. The app user’s exact location is pinpointed on a map and then the pick-up process begins.

Not only will Public Safety receive the dispatch notice to their computers, but SNAP drivers will be alerted on the two new iPads provided to them by Public Safety and funded by their annual general funds. Upon receiving the notification, drivers will be able to communicate with the app user through the app and tell them when they received their call, when they are en route and when they have arrived.

“Overall, it is easier than our original system and a lot more efficient,” Lt. Greg Williams said. “Before, we didn’t have a name or a number, just a list of calls.”

 

 

The previous system, one of manually logging incoming SNAP calls, quickly became very tedious and, on SNAP’s busy night, unorganized.

“For the most part I’ve had really good experiences with SNAP,” Starr Jarrard, senior mass communication major, said. “But sometimes, especially on Thursdays, it takes them a long time and I’m never sure how long I should actually wait.”

Williams acknowledges that SNAP has its challenges, but says that Public Safety is making it a point to address its problems so as to better serve the student body.

While the app is currently still in its testing phase, it has received a positive response from many students.

“I definitely see myself using it,” Jessica Hayman said`. “I think it’s a great idea.”

This past Spring, 7,169 passengers were picked up using the SNAP service, a 224 percent increase from the 3,206 passengers picked up in Spring 2010.

“It takes a while for new things to catch on, and I think SNAP has caught on,” Williams said.

SNAP will resume its services on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m.

Students should note that they cannot report any sort of emergency through the SNAP app. Should you need to report an emergency, call Public Safety at (478) 445-4400.