2008 Woodie Awards
PSU beefing up campus safety options
Doug Graham
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Front Page
Officials at Pittsburg State University say they are researching ways to increase on-campus security, following a deadly shooting at Virginia Tech last year and another at Northern Illinois University last week.
A top priority is a text messaging system that will alert students to emergencies using their cell phones, says Howard Smith, chair of a committee formed to examine and improve PSU's crisis response plan.
"They didn't have text messaging," Smith said, referring to the Northern Illinois shooting. "That certainly would be one of the pieces we'd like to have as one of our alternatives."
Students interviewed say they would sign up for the text message program if it is implemented.
"It would be very useful," said Amanda Gleaves, senior in English. "Because more than likely a majority of students on campus have cell phones, and that's one of their main ways of communicating with one another."
Isaac Spire, sophomore in English, says he would sign up as well.
"And you could use it for more than (just shootings) - for weather alerts and anything like that," Spire said. "A lot of the students aren't always getting on the Internet or watching TV 24 hours a day."
However, Smith says this text-messaging system will not be the "end-all" security measure, but rather a part of a bigger web of options, including voice mail, group e-mail and phone-calling trees.
Further, the text message system would be an opt-in program because some phone plans charge owners for receiving such messages.
One problem Smith cites with the text-messaging system is the percentage of students on other campuses who opt into the program.
"Probably the high end of opt-in usage has been about 40 or 50 percent of the campus, and the low is about 10 percent," Smith said.
In addition to the text message system, Smith says that the University Crisis Response and Critical Incident Planning Committee has decided to train certain people in every campus building to be a leader in times of emergency.
A top priority is a text messaging system that will alert students to emergencies using their cell phones, says Howard Smith, chair of a committee formed to examine and improve PSU's crisis response plan.
"They didn't have text messaging," Smith said, referring to the Northern Illinois shooting. "That certainly would be one of the pieces we'd like to have as one of our alternatives."
Students interviewed say they would sign up for the text message program if it is implemented.
"It would be very useful," said Amanda Gleaves, senior in English. "Because more than likely a majority of students on campus have cell phones, and that's one of their main ways of communicating with one another."
Isaac Spire, sophomore in English, says he would sign up as well.
"And you could use it for more than (just shootings) - for weather alerts and anything like that," Spire said. "A lot of the students aren't always getting on the Internet or watching TV 24 hours a day."
However, Smith says this text-messaging system will not be the "end-all" security measure, but rather a part of a bigger web of options, including voice mail, group e-mail and phone-calling trees.
Further, the text message system would be an opt-in program because some phone plans charge owners for receiving such messages.
One problem Smith cites with the text-messaging system is the percentage of students on other campuses who opt into the program.
"Probably the high end of opt-in usage has been about 40 or 50 percent of the campus, and the low is about 10 percent," Smith said.
In addition to the text message system, Smith says that the University Crisis Response and Critical Incident Planning Committee has decided to train certain people in every campus building to be a leader in times of emergency.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Donna Miller
posted 2/21/08 @ 12:21 PM CST
I believe the text messaging is a good idea, however, will this cause more students to keep their cell phones on during classes. I realize many students already use their text message while in class and I find it to be distracting at times. (Continued…)
Donna Miller
posted 2/21/08 @ 12:22 PM CST
I believe the text messaging is a good idea, however, will this cause more students to keep their cell phones on during classes. I realize many students already use their text message while in class and I find it to be distracting at times. (Continued…)
Post a Comment