The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been selected as one of the nation’s top schools with the best campus safety resources. The annual ranking by CollegeStats.org is a compilation of the largest U.S. universities, which are then ranked based on accessibility of safety resources and engagement on social media platforms. According to CollegeStats.org, UH Mānoa ranks seventh overall in a listing of the 113 most-attended universities across the nation.
Universities were ranked on the availability and accessibility of the institution’s safety information such as emergency phone numbers, safety tips, crime statistics and reports, and sexual assault procedures. Universities were also ranked according to their respective departments of public safety’s presence on social media platforms such as Twitter.
The top 50 selected schools had UH Mānoa ranking in the top ten with a score of 9.64. The number one school on the list, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, had a score of 11.35.
UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety redesigned its website in 2016 to create more accessible, easy-to-use links and information. The website features a variety of resources and information for the campus, including:
- Online sign-up for training sessions and workshops, including active shooter awareness and response, first aid/CPR/AED, safety and wellness and hurricane preparedness.
- Safety tips and sexual assault resources, available in five languages.
- A downloadable Emergency Response Guidebook (PDF), which provides a quick reference for emergency preparedness in a variety of emergency scenarios.
- Information and download links for a campus safety app, Mānoa Guardian, which gives the user the ability to call or text Department of Public Safety (DPS), or use a safety timer feature as a virtual security escort.
The department continues to add new content based on the needs and feedback of the community. Said DPS Chief Randy West, “It is an honor to be recognized for excellence. We pride ourselves on our transparency, accessibility, and collaboration within our community, and our partnerships with the people we serve that make UH Mānoa a safe place to work, learn and live.” For all of these resources and more, please visit the UH Mānoa DPS website.
More about the CollegeStats.org ranking process
CollegeStats.org reviewed 113 U.S. colleges and universities (the 100 most attended, plus the largest institution in every state not already represented) and analyzed the accessibility and usability of each school’s safety information resources using pre-established criteria. Both online and offline resources, as well as social media platforms, were examined, and each school was contacted to inquire about safety resources that might not be readily apparent to a student.
