By Megan Osborn
It's a text message that, theoretically at least, could save your life.UP Public Safety has activated a security alert system designed to send emergency notifications to staff and students via text and voice messaging. The federal government now requires such systems nationwide at colleges that receive federal funding. It stems from a law Congress passed in reaction to the Virginia Tech massacre. In that rampage on April 16, 2007, a gunman killed 33 people, including himself, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.Public Safety Director Harold Burke-Sivers said he had contemplated installing a wireless security alert system before federal law made it mandatory."It's the best way I know of to inform students quickly," Burke-Sivers said.To enroll in the UP Alert system students only need to enter their ten-digit cell phone number and a non-UP e-mail address on the Pilots UP portal. Events such as a burglar on the loose or a fire on campus are examples of situations where Public Safety would use the new system to notify students. Public Safety is also contemplating using UP Alert to send notifications about dangerous snow and ice conditions. The UP Alert system will send messages to students in five different ways: UP e-mail, alternative e-mail, text, voice message and on the PilotsUP Web site. The purpose of sending out multiple forms, according to Burke-Sivers, is to reach as many students as possible. The voice message is an important tool because Public Safety receives verification of delivery after the message is sent out, allowing the system to track how many students have received the message. UP Alert is likely to transform the way security is viewed on campus by students and faculty. "I think it will make people feel more at ease. No news is good news right? And if you get one (notification), at least you will know what's going on," senior Katie Weinmeister said. Junior Kim Shuldt however, believes UP Alert will make students more paranoid. "It might change the open nature of the university. People might be more socially cautious," she said.Convenience is a main factor in the new system's appeal to students."Everyone checks their phone more than their e-mail," junior Jacob DuPuy said. Nick McRee, a professor of criminology believes the system is a good idea. "Besides being the moral thing to do, not having the system exposes universities to liability if they have technology and then they don't use it," McRee said.McRee also points out the climate of liability has changed in light of Virginia Tech and Columbine. He explains that universities can no longer claim that they could not have anticipated a shooting if one were to occur. Concerns have been raised about the cost of text alerts that would burden students with limited texting plans. Jenny Walsh, director of web and administrative systems explained because of cost concerns, the texting function of the system would not be enabled until a solution is reached. Walsh explained the system may be revised so there is a choice for students to just receive voice messages instead of voice and texting automatically. Some students however, believe that it is a small price to pay for safety."Would you rather save twenty cents at the price of not knowing what's going on? My friend was at Virginia Tech but she was across campus and she didn't even know anything was going on until she went outside," said Weinmeister.Burke-Sivers impressed the importance of having as many students as possible enrolled in the new system. "We're making it a little inconvenient to opt out," Burke-Sivers said.Students who do not want to participate in UP Alert have to go to Public Safety and sign a waiver stating that they were offered but declined the cell phone notification services. Testing of the new system will take place once each semester of this school year. Public Safety will notify students that a test will be taking place before hand. In the previous tests of the system 150 students and faculty participated and 98 percent received the notifications. The two people who did not receive the messages had not set up their voicemail boxes. The UP Alert system provides the university with widened security capabilities and is a sophisticated precautionary tool. McRee accurately pointed out that school shootings are statistically rare. "Campuses are pretty safe overall." McRee said.
