University implements new safety alert system
Nick Woltman
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Volante News Now
Originally Created: 6/19/08 at 11:06 PM CST
Last Updated: 6/20/08 at 12:17 AM CST
Originally Created: 6/19/08 at 11:06 PM CST
Last Updated: 6/20/08 at 12:17 AM CST
USD administration and the Department of Public Safety have a new tool to keep students safe on campus.
The university's new emergency alert system is up and running, although administration officials are still testing the software to ensure it is working properly before implementing it in the fall semester.
"I certainly think this is going to be a nice addition to campus, especially if we ever have to put it into use," said Kirsten Compary, USD's acting Dean of Students.
Director of Public Safety Pete Jensen agreed, saying that his office will work with university administration to maximize the effectiveness of the system.
"I think this is just one more part of the bigger picture of enhancing student safety on campus. It will fit in with our overall program to make the campus safer," Jensen said.
Compary agreed that the system will greatly increase safety on campus. But she also pointed out that the success of the system will depend largely upon the willingness of students to actively update their information periodically.
"The system will only work if students and faculty and staff go in and actually update their information and keep it current," Compary said.
New students will receive e-mails at the beginning of their first semester of enrollment, informing them about the system and asking them to register. Once registered, they will be reminded at the beginning of each subsequent semester to update their information. Students enrolled in summer classes have already received e-mails asking them to register.
Students registering for the first time will be asked to design a notification plan by ranking several different ways in which they can be contacted. These options will include text-messaging, e-mail, cellular telephone and landline telephone.
In the event of an emergency, administration officials will broadcast an alert to students via their first preferred method of notification. Students will then need to reply to the message, acknowledging that they have alerted. If a student does not reply, the system will then send a notification to his or her second preferred method and so on.
The system also includes a polling feature which will allow university officials to inquire as to the specific condition of a student in an emergency. This option will increase the effectiveness of the university's response to such an event, Compary said.
In the future, the system may be used to communicate with students for more routine purposes but as of now, the university plans to use it exclusively for emergencies. Administration officials fear that messages may be ignored if students receive an abundance of routine communications, Compary said.
"We need to make sure that if you see something from campus alert, you know that it's something you need to pay attention to," Compary said.
The university's new emergency alert system is up and running, although administration officials are still testing the software to ensure it is working properly before implementing it in the fall semester.
"I certainly think this is going to be a nice addition to campus, especially if we ever have to put it into use," said Kirsten Compary, USD's acting Dean of Students.
Director of Public Safety Pete Jensen agreed, saying that his office will work with university administration to maximize the effectiveness of the system.
"I think this is just one more part of the bigger picture of enhancing student safety on campus. It will fit in with our overall program to make the campus safer," Jensen said.
Compary agreed that the system will greatly increase safety on campus. But she also pointed out that the success of the system will depend largely upon the willingness of students to actively update their information periodically.
"The system will only work if students and faculty and staff go in and actually update their information and keep it current," Compary said.
New students will receive e-mails at the beginning of their first semester of enrollment, informing them about the system and asking them to register. Once registered, they will be reminded at the beginning of each subsequent semester to update their information. Students enrolled in summer classes have already received e-mails asking them to register.
Students registering for the first time will be asked to design a notification plan by ranking several different ways in which they can be contacted. These options will include text-messaging, e-mail, cellular telephone and landline telephone.
In the event of an emergency, administration officials will broadcast an alert to students via their first preferred method of notification. Students will then need to reply to the message, acknowledging that they have alerted. If a student does not reply, the system will then send a notification to his or her second preferred method and so on.
The system also includes a polling feature which will allow university officials to inquire as to the specific condition of a student in an emergency. This option will increase the effectiveness of the university's response to such an event, Compary said.
In the future, the system may be used to communicate with students for more routine purposes but as of now, the university plans to use it exclusively for emergencies. Administration officials fear that messages may be ignored if students receive an abundance of routine communications, Compary said.
"We need to make sure that if you see something from campus alert, you know that it's something you need to pay attention to," Compary said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Exasperated Alum
posted 6/20/08 @ 8:35 AM CST
"I certainly think this is going to be a nice addition to campus....
Wow, that comment is sure to impress the folks in academia! NICE???
Acquiring an emergency alert system pursuant to the massacre at VT is not "NICE". (Continued…)
Nick Woltman
posted 6/21/08 @ 3:29 PM CST
For more information regarding the emergency alert system please see the article titled "BOR gives OK to new alert plan."
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