Brandeis Replaces Blue Light Phones With Mobile App
The university retired its traditional emergency phones in 2025 to transition to the Brandeis Safe mobile application.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in College Applications
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Brandeis University officially phased out its campus blue light emergency phones by summer 2025 in favor of the Brandeis Safe mobile app. The transition aims to improve accessibility for students who now carry smartphones as their primary communication tool.
Why it matters
The university moved to the mobile platform because the legacy emergency phones frequently malfunctioned and were confined to specific campus locations. Officials believe the app lowers barriers for students to contact campus police in potentially urgent situations.
The Brandeis Safe app currently has 1,500 subscribers, with police using the live chat feature to handle roughly 200 student incidents or questions. Additional usage metrics include 89 activations of the Mobile BlueLight and 100 uses of the Friend Walk tool.
The players
Brandeis University
This private research university located in Waltham, Massachusetts, serves a diverse student body and maintains its own dedicated campus police force.
Matthew Rushton
He is an official who provided a formal written statement addressing student concerns regarding the safety transition.
The details
The university integrated the new safety features into the existing Brandeis Emergency Notification System app to provide nine distinct functions. While the change mirrors similar removals at the University of Connecticut, other institutions like Boston College and Bentley University have opted to retain their physical blue light phone networks.
Timeline
April 2025: The Brandeis Safe app was introduced to the campus community.
Summer 2025: The university completed the phase-out of the campus blue light phones.
October 15, 2026: Undergraduate students met for a town hall meeting regarding the change.
October 16, 2026: Matthew Rushton provided a written statement regarding the safety transition.
November 2026: University staff will host a late-night safety walk for students.
Culture Shift
The transition reflects a nationwide move toward digital-first campus safety solutions, following the precedent set by the University of Connecticut. While some institutions shift toward app-based systems, other schools continue to maintain legacy infrastructure to provide redundant physical access points.
Students and faculty must now rely on the Brandeis Safe app for direct emergency communication instead of traditional blue light kiosks. Users should ensure the application is correctly configured on their mobile devices to access the live chat and tracking features during evening hours.
The takeaway
The shift to mobile-only safety tools highlights the increasing reliance on personal smartphones for campus security. Students should proactively familiarize themselves with the digital features available to them before encountering an emergency situation.
What happens next
Brandeis Police, Public Safety and Student Affairs are scheduled to host a late-night safety walk in November 2026 to engage with students.
Further reading
Learn more about student life and resources at College Applications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Justice.
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