Terms & Conditions
The Walkhome terms and conditions are in place to ensure all patrons are aware of the expectations we have as a service.
Walkhome is a free, confidential, discrete, and anonymous safe-walk service for members of the Queen’s/Kingston community. Walkhome is not a security or emergency service organization and therefore its staff do not receive training in these areas.
Walkhome receives the majority of its funding through a mandatory AMS Student Activity Fee, and the service is 100% student-run.
If you would like more information on the Terms and Conditions of Walkhome, please email the Head Manager at walkhome@ams.queensu.ca.
How We Work
Members of the Queen’s/Kingston community have access to use Walkhome during operating hours. Walks can be requested by visiting our kiosk on the first floor of the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC) at 87 Union St., by calling our phone number at (613) 533-WALK (9255), or by using the NEW live chat button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
The only information Walkhome collects is the patron’s pick-up and drop-off location. We require enough information about the location to effectively send our staff to pick up patrons. Using the names of campus buildings and residences (e.g. Victoria Hall, Theological Hall, etc.), exact addresses (e.g. 87 Union, etc.), and street intersections (e.g. University & Union) are all acceptable. If there are any special instructions with a pick-up/drop-off address (Unit #, back door, etc.) we do require that information to serve you.
The patron must be at the pick-up location by the time the team arrives. Walkhome teams will wait up to 5 minutes for the patron before returning to the JDUC.
Walkhome aims to provide an inclusive, enjoyable, and anti-oppressive environment for all patrons, and we expect all patrons to be respectful to the staff members walking them.
Privacy
As of March 2023, Walkhome will be collecting and retaining (temporarily) the phone numbers of patrons requesting walks using livechat or over the phone. This amendment to our policy, which previously stated that “Walkhome does not collect or retain any identifying information of our patrons (ex: name, phone number, personal address, etc.)”, serves the purpose of accountability and providing protections for patrons and our staff. As per our previous policy, we will still not be collecting personal information easily tied to someone’s identity, such as names or personal addresses. Additionally, we will never seek out your identity using your phone number, except in extenuating circumstances (i.e. in the case of an emergency or to protect staff safety) and we will wipe all retained phone numbers from our records at the end of each month. As usual, our operations require that we collect the pick-up and drop-off locations provided by patrons requesting a walk. We retain this information for the sake of analysis and service performance, but they are never tied to an individual’s identity or disclosed outside of the Walkhome management team. Information will only be used to deliver and optimize the service and will only be retained as long as they are needed.
Questions regarding our service’s Privacy Policy can be forwarded to walkhome@ams.queensu.ca.
Exclusions
Walkhome is dedicated to student safety on campus, but there are limitations to Walkhome’s services to ensure the safety of our staff members.
1. Walkhome will not pick up from Bars/Nightclubs (excluding campus establishments such as Queen’s Pub, Clark Hall Pub, Grad Club, etc.). Instead the manager will recommend another pick-up location for the patron that is nearby the location originally requested.
2. Walkhome will not walk anyone who cannot walk themselves. All patrons must be able to walk themselves without the physical assistance of anyone. If a team arrives at a location and finds that the patron cannot walk themselves, the team will terminate the walk.
3. Walkhome will not walk anyone who does not want a walk. All walk requests must come from the individual who intends to get the walk. If a team arrives to pick up a patron and the patron states they would not like a walk, the team will return to the JDUC.
Walkhome also holds the right to refuse the service to any patrons who create an unwelcoming or dangerous environment for the staff members.
Harassment
Harassment towards our staff or patrons is not welcome at Walkhome and will not be tolerated. According to the Queen’s Student Code of Conduct, harassment is considered as “verbal or non-verbal behaviour or communication that is known or ought to be reasonably known to be hostile, intimidating, or threatening.” Walkhome aims to foster a safe and welcoming campus community. In return, we ask that people approach our service with respect and kindness.
Residences
Walkhome staff members will not enter any residence buildings while on shift. Staff will only pick-up/drop-off patrons outside of Queen’s University residences and will not enter the building. Our expectation is all patrons will be waiting by the entrances of the residence when requesting a walk. If there is a specific address that the patron would like to be picked up from, this must be communicated when arranging for a walk.
Cancelled Walks
All patrons hold the right to terminate a walk at any point in the walk process. If a patron decides to cancel the walk before the team has arrived at the pick-up location, we ask that the patron informs us of the cancellation. Walks may be cancelled by calling Walkhome or through the live chat button. Patrons may also cancel walks while with staff members; patrons can simply tell the staff members they would like to end the walk and the staff will return to the JDUC, no questions asked.
First Aid or Medical Assistance
Walkhome staff members are not given first aid or medical training, therefore they are not expected to assist in a first aid situation. If you ever find you are in a first aid or medical situation, we encourage you to call one of the following services:
- Queen’s First Aid: 613-533-6111
- Campus Security: 613-533-6733
- Emergency Medical Services: 911