How to create a Campus Safe Ride group chat for your university

The Campus Safe Ride program at LSU has been an invaluable resource for students who need a reliable, safe way to travel late at night, get rides from bars, or navigate emergencies. Creating a community-based safe ride network can make all the difference, helping students feel secure during late-night commutes, unexpected emergencies, or even regular travel to and from campus.

If you’re looking to build your own Safe Ride group at your school, GroupMe is the ideal app to make it happen. Below is a step-by-step blueprint, inspired by the leadership team at LSU’s Safe Rides program, to help you create a supportive safe ride chat community for students on your campus.

Why GroupMe is Perfect for Safe Ride Communities

GroupMe is an easy-to-use group messaging app that excels at creating organized communities—making it the perfect platform for building a safe ride network. With GroupMe’s easy-to-manage group chats, you can streamline communication, keep everything organized, and provide a space for members to share rides, coordinate trips, and communicate during emergencies.

• Organized Topics: GroupMe allows you to create multiple topics within your main group, helping keep topics and conversations organized. Whether you're discussing safe rides home or coordinating a last-minute emergency ride, everything has its place.

• Instant Notifications: GroupMe notifies members instantly when there’s an important message, ensuring that everyone is up to date on ride requests, emergencies, or other important updates.

• Free and Accessible: The app is free to download and easy to use, making it accessible for everyone on campus. Plus, it’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

• User-Friendly: GroupMe’s simple interface allows anyone to join the conversation with minimal setup, which is perfect for students who need quick access to rides or support.

Now that we’ve established why GroupMe is ideal for building your campus Safe Ride community, let’s dive into the steps to create your own group.

Step 1: Create a GroupMe Group

Start by creating a GroupMe group for your Safe Ride program. This will be the central place where students can connect, request rides, and offer support.

• Set Parameters to Join: To ensure safety and authenticity, establish requirements for joining the group. Ask that members have a profile picture, their university email address, and full name visible. If any member is missing this information, reach out to them directly to gather the necessary details.

• Verify University Emails: Ensure that members are legitimate students by verifying their university email address. This ensures your group remains exclusive to your school’s community, which is essential for safety and trust.

  Pro-Tip: You can verify that they are student the university if they have join Campus on GroupMe. Learn more here

Step 2: Create Topics Within Your GroupMe

Organize the group into sub-chats, or topics, to keep conversations focused and make it easier for members to find relevant information. Here are some key topics you can create:

1. Main Chat: Use this for ride requests and important admin announcements. This is the heart of your Safe Ride group.

2. All Things School: A space for academic discussions—questions about classes, homework, professors, and university policies.

3. Rides to/from Campus: A dedicated sub-chat for students to coordinate rides to and from campus.

4. Convos and Chatting: A fun space for members to connect, share experiences, and meet new people. This chat will be one of the most used and will foster a strong sense of community.

5. EMERGENCY RIDES: This is a critical sub-chat for students who are in danger or need urgent rides. Think of it as an SOS space where immediate help is prioritized.

6. Small Businesses: Encourage students to promote their businesses, whether they do nails, hair, art, or other services.

7. AIRPORT: Coordinate rides to and from the local airport for students traveling home or out of town.

8. Subleasing/Roommates: A space for housing-related questions, like finding roommates or subleasing apartments.

9. Pets: Use this for pet-related inquiries, such as lost or found animals, fostering, or pet-sitting services.

10. Rides Home/To Bars: Coordinate safe rides home after a night out or rides to popular campus bars.

11. Going Out Buddies: Help students find someone to go out with by using this chat to ask, “Who wants to go to ____ tonight?”

12. Gameday Rides: For coordinating rides to and from sports games.

13. Campus Groups: Promote student clubs, organizations, and events happening on campus.

Step 3: Designate an Admin Team

Admins are crucial for maintaining the safety and organization of the group.

• Admin Responsibilities: Admins are responsible for enforcing the rules, moderating the group chats, and making sure conversations stay on topic. They also ensure that the group remains a positive and safe environment for all members.

• Encourage Kindness: Admins should promote respect, inclusivity, and kindness within the community. Fostering a positive atmosphere is essential for a safe and supportive environment.

Step 4: Establish Clear Rules

To maintain order and prevent any misunderstandings, set clear rules for your group. Here are some basic guidelines:

• No Selling Tickets: Avoid potential scams by prohibiting ticket sales or other financial transactions.

• Follow Through on Rides: If you offer someone a ride, follow through. Reliability is key to building trust.

• No Illegal Activities: Keep the group free from discussions of illegal activities.

• Keep Side Conversations in the Right Chat: Personal discussions should happen only in the appropriate sub-chat to keep the main group focused on ride coordination and emergencies.

• Be Positive: Encourage a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment for all group members.

Step 5: Write a Constitution

A constitution is a helpful tool for resolving conflicts and ensuring the group operates smoothly. Include the goals of the Safe Ride program, detailed rules for behavior, and consequences for breaking the rules. This can serve as a reference for admins when issues arise.

Step 6: Share Your GroupMe Event

Once your Safe Ride GroupMe is set up, it’s time to spread the word. Here’s how to invite others to join:

1. Share via Link: Use the “Share” icon in the top right corner of your GroupMe event to copy the link. Share it via email, text, blog posts, or on social media.

2. Create a QR Code: Generate a QR code that people can scan to join the group instantly. You can print out the QR code and post it around campus or share it online.

Creating a Safe Ride community using GroupMe is a great way to ensure students have a reliable support network for their late-night commutes, emergency rides, and everyday travel. By using GroupMe’s easy-to-use platform, you can connect students, promote safety, and create a community that prioritizes safe transportation on campus.

Ready to build your own Safe Ride group? Follow this blueprint and start connecting students today!

Looking to get help in kickstarting your campus safe ride program - reach out the LSU Girls Ride leadership team: lsugirlsrides@gmail.com