Professor of Biological Sciences Alan Griffith (left), junior environmental science major Jillian Rosenquist (center), and Chief of Police Michael Hall (right), teamed up to map blue light phones across UMW and enhance campus safety—a project that paved the way for an internship on Capitol Hill for Rosenquist. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Campus safety is always on the mind of University of Mary Washington Chief of Police Michael Hall, and now, thanks to a partnership with faculty and a student researcher, there’s a map to support it.
The project began with a chance encounter between Hall and Professor of Biological Sciences Alan Griffith, who had previously mapped trees across campus. Together, they wondered if the same technology could be used to plot a key aspect of UMW’s emergency phone system: the glowing blue lights that offer a one-touch connection to university police.
Griffith knew just the student to bring it to life—Jillian Rosenquist, a junior environmental science major pursuing a geographic information systems (GIS) certificate. Together, the trio visualized a blueprint for campus safety. “Campus safety is a shared responsibility between students, police and the community,” Hall said. “This project was community policing at its finest.”
Mary Washington’s emergency phone system includes nearly 90 blue light phones mounted to poles or bases at exterior locations across campus, such as along sidewalks and walkways, in parking lots and near buildings. Mapping their locations helps improve efficiency and reduce redundancy, or, as Hall explains, “identifies where there may be too many blue lights or where they may be too close together or too far apart.”
Griffith said the project ensures accessibility for everyone on campus and helps the UMW Department of Police and Public Safety monitor operations and maintenance. “When GIS-based emergency phone maps are used to their potential, the UMW campus is a safer place,” Griffith said.
Read more about UMW trio working together to map out a safer campus. This story was written by University Communications Intern, Sarah Moon.
Students, faculty, and staff: Do you have a great idea and need funds to make it happen? If your project would support students, foster professional/academic growth, or expand an existing campus program, consider applying for a 
We want to remind campus about the potential for winter weather and resulting changes to campus operations and the class schedule. In the event of inclement weather that impacts normal operations at UMW, we’ll communicate to the campuses (Fredericksburg, Stafford, Dahlgren) via email and post updates to the UMW website, umw.edu. You should check these communication channels as your first source of information, as updates to external sites, social media and traditional media are secondary and may be delayed. Severe storm updates will come from the National Weather Service via text messages in UMW Alerts, but you’ll need to check email for changes to class schedules and campus operations.
This fall HR completed a year-long compensation study for AP faculty and classified staff, with the help of Gallagher Consulting, specifically to address salary compression for those who have served UMW for many years or decades. As a result, almost 120 employees, mostly in classified positions, will receive a salary increase later this calendar year.
Join celebrated floral consultant Jan Williams for an inspiring holiday decoration demonstration using local evergreens and flora, a highlight of Fredericksburg’s holiday celebrations. This event, sponsored by The James Monroe Museum, will be held at the Hurley Convergence Center, Digital Auditorium and is a ticketed event. 
Our University’s hometown of Fredericksburg will play host to a favorite holiday tradition, the 