Service overview
McGill Student Travel Registry allows the university to keep track of students traveling outside of the Greater Montreal area on University-sanctioned activities, such as exchanges, field studies, study away, semester abroad, research abroad… for the purposes of communication in cases of emergency and safety concerns.
The application, developed by 'AppArmor, a Motorola Solutions company, consist of two components:'
- A mobile app: Students are required to register their university-sanctioned travel itinerary using the app. This will allow them to receive notifications from the University, specifically the Safety Abroad Officer, depending on their travel activities and locations. Students may also use the app to confirm their safety, using the “Check-in” feature or inform the University that they need assistance.
- A web-based dashboard: Authorized staff members can view students who have registered on the app and send out mass push notifications and email notifications to those who may be at risk, based on their activities and locations. Staff members can also view various reports through the dashboard.
Who can use it
Audience |
Usage |
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Students |
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Staff approved to use the tool |
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Admin Staff in the International Education Office |
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SIS Security (Enrolment Services) |
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System configurators and support (AppArmor) |
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How to request & access the service
Access to the McGill Student Travel Registry mobile app:
- Students who are scheduled to attend a university-sanctioned travel activity other than exchanges will be notified by their respective Departments and instructed to download and register in the McGill Student Travel Registry app. Exchange students will be notified by the International Education Office.
- For instructions on how to download the app (for students only), please go to the following website: https://www.mcgill.ca/mcgillabroad/safety/registry
- Students are required to log into the app at least once every 30 days while abroad as both android and iphone users will notice that the app will enter a hibernation mode if they fail to do so. This would prevent the app from running at full capacity and receiving emergency check-in notifications in the event of an emergency.
Requesting access to the web dashboard (for staff only):
- Submit requests via the SIS Authorization webform; indicate the travel registry role that the user needs, and why they need it.
- The request must be approved by a security designate.
- Once approved, SIS Security will go to the McGill Student Travel Registry dashboard and grant access to the user. Users who have been granted access to the dashboard will receive an email directly from 'AppArmor, a Motorola Solutions company' with access information.
Cost
There is no cost associated with this service.
Availability
The service is available 24 X 7, except during scheduled and unscheduled maintenance that would be announced by 'AppArmor, a Motorola Solutions company' and communicated to all affected users.
Frequently asked questions
Am I required to use the McGill Student Travel Registry app if I’m traveling abroad for a University-sanctioned activity?
Yes, registering in the app is mandatory for all students traveling abroad or domestically outside of the Greater Montreal area on a University-sanctioned activity. Your faculty/department office will inform you of this requirement and give you the appropriate information prior to traveling. You may also reach out to McGill Abroad at safetyabroad@mcgill.ca for support or questions. Students must turn-on push notifications to receive check-in requests in case of an emergency.
What if I lose my phone, or I’m not able to use it?
In case of an emergency, notifications will be sent both to your mobile device and as an email to your McGill email address.
If students need to contact McGill in an emergency or crisis while abroad, they should call McGill Campus Security at +1-514-398-3000, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is Hibernation Mode and how does it affect the McGill Student Travel Registry?
Hibernation Mode is when a mobile app does not run at full capacity. In the case of the McGill Student Travel Registry, both iPhone and Android users are required to sign into the app at least once every 30 days while abroad. The reason being that without doing so, the app will enter a hibernation mode which would prevent the student from receiving push notifications and/or check-in requests in the event of an emergency.
Does the McGill Student Travel Registry app need to access the location services on my mobile device?
You can use the travel registry functionality without having to allow the app to access your location. If location services are turned off, McGill Abroad can communicate with you in case of an emergency based on the destination information you entered in the travel registry form.
However, location services on your mobile phone are required for other functionality, such as the optional “Friend Walk” feature, which allows you to share your location with a friend or relative when you are walking alone.
What features does the McGill Student Travel Registry provide?
The McGill Student Travel Registry gives you access to safety tools and information beyond the registration of your travel, including:
- Live travel advice and advisories from the Government of Canada
- Alerts with Check-in Requests from McGill if the status of your host destination country or region changes to” Avoid Non-Essential Travel” or “Avoid All Travel”, as per the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories
- Emergency contact shortcuts to:
- 911 and International Emergency Services numbers
- 24hr McGill Campus Security
- Canadian Emergency Consular Assistance
- Sending an “I’m OK” message contact of your choice
- Tools:
- Emergency Guide
- Share your location with a friend
- Friend Walk: Share your live location with a friend so they can see that you have reached your destination.
- Share your live location with a friend via email
- List of links to Resources:
- Mental Health Counseling
- Wellness Hub
- Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education
- Peer Support and McGill Nightline
- Health Insurance Information
- Global Affairs Canada
- Canadians Abroad Registry from the Government of Canada
- Canadian Travel Advisories
- McGill Safety Abroad
For more FAQs please visit: McGill Student Travel Registry at https://www.mcgill.ca/mcgillabroad/safety/registry
Best practices & policies
In accordance with the Policy on E-mail Communication with Students, students must be able to receive notifications/emails sent to their McGill email address so that they may promptly receive safety check-ins from the University.
Training & documentation
Resources for staff (access to McGill Aboard dashboard required)
Training, documentation, and videos can be found in the Support tab in the web dashboard or using the links below:
- https://mcgillu.apparmor.com/Support/
- https://mcgillu.apparmor.com/Support/Documentation/?doc=13336577
Resources for students and staff
How-to information, FAQ, and detailed descriptions of the tool can be found on the McGill Student Travel Registry website
https://www.mcgill.ca/mcgillabroad/safety/registry
Support
- For help logging into the system, either mobile app or dashboard (e,g., McGill username & password not accepted), contact the IT Service Desk
- For help using the 'AppArmor, a Motorola Solutions company’ dashboard application, view the documentation available within the app.