Pokémon Go Tips
Pokémon GO has taken our campus by storm! With so many UTRGV students playing and enjoying this game, we wanted to give our university community a quick guide to staying safe and having fun while “catching them all.”
We currently are working on Pokemon GO maps for both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. These maps will include not only information about PokéStops & Gyms but also water stations and other important locations to keep in mind.
You can preview them here:
What is Pokémon GO?
Pokemon Go is both a virtual reality game and a social networking app that uses physical locations to encourage people to "capture" digital creatures (Pokémon) in specific areas. Players need to interact with the physical world to accomplish certain goals. For example:
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Walk to get experience points.
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Point with their smartphones to virtual Pokémon to capture them.
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Visit locations to get points.
Why is everyone suddenly talking about Pokémon GO?
Because it is a fun game for both kids and adults. According to an informal survey we conducted on Twitter, a growing number of UTRGV students are playing this game. Since Pokémon Go requires you to walk and move around to accomplish specific tasks, many people are using it as a fun way to walk more and meet new people.
Why is UTRGV Social Media getting involved?
Because we want to make sure that our students and the community stay safe while playing this game. Both of our campuses have several points of interest (PokéStops) and tournament areas (Gyms), and we see a growing number of individuals walking on campus, actively playing this game.
Pokémon GO can be a great family activity and can help you add some healthy and fun extra steps to your daily exercise routine. We currently are building a self-guided tour on Google Maps with additional information about each of our campus points of interest (PokéStops).
*Pokémon is a registered trademark of Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak.
Can UTRGV control the points of interest (PokéStops)?
No, at least not at this time. Niantic Labs (the creators of Pokémon GO) used some of the geomaps from one of their prior games (Ingress) to create the points of interest (PokéStops). At this point, they are not offering a way to modify the current PokéStops or Gyms.
However, several of the PokéStops are relevant areas for both our campuses. We have created a map with the current PokéStops and Gyms and included additional information about of the landmarks.
What are some general tips to play Pokémon GO on campus?
We understand that our students are very excited about this new virtual reality game (the PR team is too!). Playing on campus can be a fun way to discover all of the great things UTRGV has to offer! Here are some general tips to play Pokémon GO on campus:
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Look around while playing to avoid accidents.
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Do not have the app open during class, lectures, or labs. It is ok to play during class breaks and after class.
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Do not play after sunset or before sunrise.
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If you play while riding on the shuttle bus, please don’t stand up. Follow UTRGV Parking and Transportation Services on Twitter to stay updated.
- A valid permit is required to park on campus from Monday to Friday. Printable permits are available for purchase or free for one day through www.utrgv.edu/myparking, there is no charge for a one day permit. Please call 956-665-2738 if you have any additional questions about parking.
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If you plan to play for extended periods of time, stay hydrated! Check our Edinburg and Brownsville campus maps for the nearest drinking fountain.
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If you get hungry, we have a variety of dining options. Follow UTRGV Dining on Facebook to learn more.
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Use our Brownsville and Edinburg Pokemon Go campus maps to learn more about UTRGV.
What safety tips should I keep in mind while playing Pokemon Go?
Our UTRGV Police Department has released a quick, useful guide to staying safe while playing this virtual reality game.
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Do not play while driving.
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Do not trespass on private property.
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Watch where you are walking at all times.
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Stop when you are catching a Pokemon.
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Be very aware of your surroundings.
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Playing with friends is safest rather than playing alone.
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Do not play Pokemon Go in a secluded area or places you would not usually go.
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Do not ride your bike, skateboard, or hoverboard while playing Pokemon Go.
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Be aware of people, cars, bikes, construction sites, lawn mowers, trees, ditches, ponds, ledges, hills and holes.
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Play in safe areas (indoors at home, in your yard, parks, beaches, sidewalks, in the car/bus as a passenger).
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Be extra cautious when approached by strangers.
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If you are out and about, report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement.
Follow the UTRGV Police Department on Facebook and Twitter.
What should I do if I see anything suspicious on campus while playing Pokemon Go?
We want to make sure that all of our students and visitors to UTRGV campuses stay safe while playing Pokemon Go. If you see anything suspicious, please report it immediately to the UTRGV Police Department:
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UTRGV Police Directory: 956-882-7777
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UTRGV Campus Emergency: 956-882-4911
What can I do if I have additional questions/suggestions about Pokemon Go?
You can contact our social media and digital marketing manager, Alex Garrido, via any of our UTRGV social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. If you catch a rare Pokémon on campus, send us a screenshot. ☺️
You can also email us at SocialMedia@utrgv.edu