Blue emergency phones were originally installed on the University of Connecticut Storrs campus in the mid-1990’s for people to report an emergency outdoors, since cell phones were less common and service was spotty.
Now, after approval from UConn Senate’s executive committee, UConn University Safety, Provost’s Office, Student Life, Facilities Operations and more, they will be taken down, University Spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said.
Reitz said that there are three reasons UConn is taking down the phones: usage, cost and modern technology.
Reitz said that over the past five years, only 166 phone calls have been received from the phones.
Of those 166 calls, 164 of them were test or curiosity driven calls, one was from the Depot Campus about a minor collision on U.S. Route 44 and the final one was a concern from a person that someone might be following them.
That last call was investigated and was determined to be unfounded.
Reitz said each of those calls occurred in areas with strong cell service, so the blue phones wouldn’t have been the only way to report an incident.
Reitz said another reason for the phones being taken down is cost. UConn pays $70,000 annually to operate the phones. Those costs are increasing each year because of repair costs for the aging technology.
Reitz added that costs are also expected to increase because UConn would need to spend about $6 million to update the phones to meet modern operational and reliability standards. That money would bring the blue phones up to date with wireless technology, power, batteries and circuitry, as well as prevent future environmental damage, animal infestation and other related issues.
Despite the dated technology in the blue phones, some will stay in place. In areas on campus without reliable cell service, the phones will not be taken down. While it’s unclear how each phone will be assessed, Reitz said the university is currently in the process of deciding which phones will stay.
Another reason the phones will be taken down is the university’s safety application “LiveSafe,” which allows students to report directly to UConn’s emergency communication center through text, video or calls. UConn also points to 911, which allows for texting which would also be routed through the center.
UConn isn’t the only institution to remove or phase out these phones. Universities like New Mexico State University, University of Nebraska, Brigham Young University-Idaho, University of Tampa, Ohio University, Bowling Green State University and others have already removed the phones or are planning to in the future.
UConn will place covers on the inoperative blue phones, and the kiosks will be removed over time, the university said in a press release.