Ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft do not conduct regular driver or vehicle reviews, and fine print in contracts reveal that ride-share companies do not accept liability for loss or damage to property or personal injury to passengers. However, MICA acknowledges that there are situations when, and locations where, authorizing students to utilize ride-sharing options for college-related activities is an acceptable decision. For example, the use of ride-sharing is acceptable when students are in a community where other methods of transportation are not readily available, or when MICA-sponsored vehicles, such as shuttles or coach buses, are not an efficient or cost-effective choice for transportation. With that in mind, ride-sharing should be a last option for students in getting to or returning from a location. Employees should always verify that no MICA transportation, public transportation (buses or light rail) or regulated vehicles (such as cabs) are available before authorizing the use of ride-sharing for students in connection with college-related activities.

Some examples of when ride-sharing is acceptable for college-related activities include:

• When only one to two studentsare in need of transportation
• When the location does not have access to public transportation or regulated vehicles
• When the use of ride-sharing involves a shorter wait and is a safer option (nighttime, lack of public transportation or cabs, etc.)

When ride-sharing is utilized, please inform students to follow the recommendations listed below:

• Ensure the make, model and color of the car matches the Uber/Lyft description.
• Ensure that the license plate matches. If the license plate does not match, take a picture of the license plate, do not get in the car, and report the incident to local police.
• Make sure that the driver matches their picture in the app and ask them their name prior to getting into the vehicle. If they don't resemble their photo or they don't provide the correct name, do not enter the vehicle and notify the authorities.
• Do not enter the vehicle until you ask the driver "Who are you here for?" If the driver cannot identify you by name, then do not enter the vehicle. Photograph the license plate and report the incident to the police.
• Check the driver's rating - If a driver has had problems with passengers in the past, they're likely to have bad reviews. Check to see if the driver who is scheduled to pick you up has bad reviews. If the driver does, then you should cancel the Uber or Lyft and request a new driver.  
• Do not ride in the front seat - Passengers who ride in the front seat have been on the receiving end of assaults, groping and other unwanted behavior. The back seat gives you distance from the driver and the ability to exit the vehicle if an incident occurs.
• Always wear your seatbelt - Even when in the back seat, all riders should fasten their seatbelts.
• Follow along with your own GPS Map application - On your smartphone, use a ridesharing application or a mapping application, like Waze, to view the route while you ride. This will ensure that the driver is using the most efficient route and taking you to the proper destination.
• Notify a friend - If you are traveling alone and feel uncomfortable, call a friend or family member and let them know where you are going and what time you expect to arrive.
• Tracking feature - Many ridesharing services provide features within their applications that allows friends or family members to track your location. This will allow someone to know your location as well as when you are expected to arrive at your destination. To use this feature on Uber, press the "Share Status" button. To use this feature on Lyft, press the "Send ETA" button. Download and use MICA’s Rave Guardian to input your time of departure and expected time of arrival, or to communicate with Campus Safety directly. Information on Rave Guardian can be found here.
• Trust your instincts - If you have any discomfort or sense that something isn't right, then don't get into the car. If you are already in the car, then simply ask to be dropped off at the nearest safe location. If the driver refuses, call 911 immediately.