University of Waterloo introduces new emergency notification system following community criticism

The University of Waterloo says a review of its emergency notification system following a stabbing in a classroom has led to the implementation of a new platform.

On June 28, 2023, police responded on campus after a recently-graduated student went into a lecture class in Hagey Hall and stabbed three people, including the professor.

Staff and students were left wondering what was going on, many saying they had to turn to social media or other people in the absence of information provided by the university.

“It was mainly just like friends and word-of-mouth,” said second year student Mehul Sharma. “No one was even sure what happened exactly. And it was quite a failure on the university’s part.”

The University of Waterloo has an emergency notification app called WatSAFE, but in spite of the app being tested just hours before the stabbing, it wasn’t used in the immediate aftermath. Some students said the first alert came out more than an hour after the incident and described it as vague.

Speaking to CTV in July 2023, university president Vivek Goel admitted the lack of communication was a problem.

“We know that WatSAFE, and how we use it, has to be better,” he said.

The university is now replacing WatSAFE with a new integrated emergency notification system called Regroup Mobile.

The university did not provide a spokesperson to discuss the new app and the protocols around its use. 

They did say a thorough review of the Regroup Mobile app was done and it meets the school’s cybersecurity and information privacy requirements.

In an email to CTV News, the app developers said: “The university can now send alerts across multiple channels, including SMS, voice calls, desktop alerts and push notifications to the Regroup Mobile app, ensuring everyone—students, faculty, and staff—receives real-time information, no matter where they are. This system provides a much broader reach and faster dissemination of important updates. By expanding how they communicate in critical situations, [the University of] Waterloo has taken a big step toward keeping its community informed and safe in any emergency.”

Students said getting information from official sources when there is a safety concern on campus is important to them.

“You've got to know: 'Maybe I shouldn't go to this class today. Maybe I should stay home,'” explained third-year student Daniel Romagnoli. “Just knowing what's happening around you is always good.”

“I think feeling safe on campus, especially for first-years who aren't used to the campus, is really important,” student Zohra Ali told CTV News.

But second-year student Mehul Sharma notes that for the system to work, those on campus need to download the app.

“I guess I should because it’s a good thing for safety, so I think I will, but I don’t know if most students will.”

The university said the WatSAFE app will stop functioning on Oct. 1 and the Regroup Mobile system will become the sole emergency notification system.

In the meantime, they’re asking students and staff to keep WatSAFE on their phones and devices.