new text-messaging system in place because of virginia tech incident...

i just got an e-mail from my college saying that there is a new emergency text-messaging system in place that will send a text-message to those on the list if there is an emergency...

hmmm, i don't really feel any safer though (actually i am neutral)

why weren't systems like these implemented before

They should fire the police chief and the university president. Their whole "you can't fire us because you need closure" garbage is absolutely revolting.

Interesting option, but this sort of leaves out students who could be at risk who don't have text messaging services OR can't read a phone (the legally blind and some of the handicapped who may not have a cell phone.) And I'm not sure if they tested out sending a mass message to, say, 1,000 or 10,000 people at the same time.

I think it's a first step, but not necessarily a great solution.

Or what about people like me who do not even have a cell phone in service? I do have a cell phone, (given as a gift) just not activated. I guess I could eventually sign up for a pay as you go plan. I still refuse to sign up for any kind of a contract as I do know how much cell phone companies like to rape their customers.

those without cells phones will just have to wait for e-mail notifications of emergencies (if they have a quick response, not like at virginia tech)...

my campus is pretty small so we should all be aware of what's happening at any given time...

better safe than sorry, though...




[edit on 27-4-2007 by they see ALL]

[edit on 27-4-2007 by they see ALL]

Originally posted by Byrd
Interesting option, but this sort of leaves out students who could be at risk who don't have text messaging services OR can't read a phone (the legally blind and some of the handicapped who may not have a cell phone.) And I'm not sure if they tested out sending a mass message to, say, 1,000 or 10,000 people at the same time.

I think it's a first step, but not necessarily a great solution.

Yep, you said what I was thinking. These 'services' may seem like a good idea at first, but most implementations only work for 'adequate' humans.

Still, how many people will remember the code in an emergency situation anyway?

"Dial 32198764347324987324623487632463249321846234 to notify the authorities of a serious situation. If not, dial 98698734259384523946928765239o756329547659238763254974650943176549375629364598456497659487427564395765019457602945609345640576203957643205843260594376 50329464305943650943560439564093560439576430564309576432097659-432586409586430956 to speak to a customer service operator."