Vancouver Island University will be removing Code Blue phones at the Nanaimo, and Cowichan campuses and at the Deep Bay Field Research Station. This process will take place over the next few months and should be complete by June 30, 2021.
Code Blue phones were installed more than 10 years ago and gave users a direct line of communication to emergency services at a time when many students and employees did not have cellular phones. Over the last couple of years, no one has used the Code Blue phones for the intended purpose.
In recent years, VIU has worked to improve campus safety while keeping up with changing technologies. Improvements include enhanced exterior lighting, development of the VIU Safety App, security cameras, improved campus security services, and adding student/employee card access to buildings. In place of the Code Blue poles within the Library, VIU will install two courtesy phones.
Mark Egan, VIU Security Manager, says Code Blue phones have experienced failures and numerous pranks in recent years. “Improvements to our infrastructure, technology and physical security will provide better support for personal safety than relying on the Code Blue system.”