Pokémon GO Popularity Prompts Cautions at TAMIU
The advent and popularity of a new smartphone game has Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) officials encouraging cautious use by game-playing visitors to the campus.
Pokémon GO, released late last week, uses augmented reality to place creatures and items in real locations, including the TAMIU campus. Players, sometimes called ‘trainers,’ can visit locations and ‘train’ their fictional creatures in fictional ‘gyms.’
Sometimes those places aren’t places that are always available for the Pokémon GO experience, the University cautioned.
“While the University always encourages visitors to our campus; all visitors, including Pokémon GO visitors, must respect our campus, its culture and safety at all times. Campus facilities are dedicated learning spaces and will be locked down at set and differing times. Parking can only occur in designated areas. Those using the app should always be aware of their surroundings, so as not to compromise their safety,” explained TAMIU Interim President Dr. Pablo Arenaz.
The University believes Pokémon GO does provide an innovative way for people to experience its campus, but cautions that those experiences must be respectful at all times.
“We are encouraged that Pokémon GO provides a new and engaging opportunity to explore numerous sites on our beautiful campus, but caution that respect for our campus community is expected at all times. All campus locations have missions, scheduled purposes and events that should not be interrupted. Likewise, campus wildlife should not be disturbed. TAMIU Police monitor our campus and have the discretion to pursue additional action, if needed,” Dr. Arenaz noted.
Among other campus user tips for Pokémon GO shared by users are the following:
- Did you know you don’t have to stop walking to catch Pokémon? Turn off the AR camera setting and you can keep moving once you initiate combat with Pokémon.
- To save your phone’s battery: turn on the battery saving option in your phone’s settings. Then in the app’s settings disable music and sound effects. Turn on the vibration and battery saver option. You’ll still be notified when Pokémon are nearby! Charging stations are located throughout campus.
- You don’t actually have to tap on all the icons at PokéStops! Once you spin the photo disc, you can close out of the PokéStop and your items will automatically be gathered.
- The wildlife on campus has higher Challenge Points than your Pokémon, please don’t try and challenge them.
- And as Pokemon Trainer Guidelines urge: respect the community, be respectful, respect privacy, adhere to the rules of the human world, avoid inappropriate content, and don't cheat.
For additional information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.
Related Links:
Tutorial:
https://support.pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/hc/en-us
‘Trainer’ Guidelines: