2008 Woodie Awards
Emergency system texting students
Authorities can alert USC community in crisis through new technology
Kathleen Kemp
Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Students can now get text messages on their cell phones telling them about emergencies at USC, university officials said.
As students log onto VIP, they are asked for their cell phone numbers and can opt to receive text messages during a campus crisis. They will also get e-mails and may get voicemails on cell and landline phones, said Kimberly South, public relations coordinator for University Technology Services.
"Landline phones and cell phones will receive voice recordings," South said. "With text messaging, we are limited in the number of characters we can send."
A test message will be sent out sometime next week to those who have already signed up, South said.
The new system is a positive step for keeping students safe, said Ernie Ellis, director of law enforcement and safety. USCPD and UTS are working together on the emergency notification system.
"We were limited before this system," Ellis said. "This has greatly enhanced our ability to reach students."
Ellis isn't sure yet what will qualify as an emergency. He said extreme weather or a fire could be emergencies.
Amanda Ayers, a first-year epidemiology graduate student, said she only wants to be contacted in the case of a crisis.
"I think if people's lives are in danger, it would be an emergency," Ayers said.
South said students will never be contacted through the system for anything that is not considered an emergency and that the university will not use students' cell phone numbers for anything else.
Work on this project began before the Virginia Tech shootings in spring, but that sped up the process, South said.
"VT made us realize this could happen to us," she said.
Ellis said students, faculty and staff must register for the system to work.
"We greatly appreciate the support of the administration," Ellis said. "We appreciate the students who register."
South said that so far, student response to the system has been very positive.
"Less than one percent of people have opted out of using the system," South said. "The number one thing people want to know in an emergency is what to do."
Hub Blankenship, a first-year undeclared student, said he knew "a little bit" about the system and that he submitted his phone number.
"It's reassuring I guess," he said, "I just want to hear about bigger [emergencies], though."
South said students will not directly pay for the service through any new fees or raised tuition.
But initial start-up costs and long-term upkeep will cost over a quarter million dollars, said Helen Zeigler, director of business affairs. Zeigler said so far the school has spent $20,258 on hardware and training. Three-year costs are projected at $252,000.
As students log onto VIP, they are asked for their cell phone numbers and can opt to receive text messages during a campus crisis. They will also get e-mails and may get voicemails on cell and landline phones, said Kimberly South, public relations coordinator for University Technology Services.
"Landline phones and cell phones will receive voice recordings," South said. "With text messaging, we are limited in the number of characters we can send."
A test message will be sent out sometime next week to those who have already signed up, South said.
The new system is a positive step for keeping students safe, said Ernie Ellis, director of law enforcement and safety. USCPD and UTS are working together on the emergency notification system.
"We were limited before this system," Ellis said. "This has greatly enhanced our ability to reach students."
Ellis isn't sure yet what will qualify as an emergency. He said extreme weather or a fire could be emergencies.
Amanda Ayers, a first-year epidemiology graduate student, said she only wants to be contacted in the case of a crisis.
"I think if people's lives are in danger, it would be an emergency," Ayers said.
South said students will never be contacted through the system for anything that is not considered an emergency and that the university will not use students' cell phone numbers for anything else.
Work on this project began before the Virginia Tech shootings in spring, but that sped up the process, South said.
"VT made us realize this could happen to us," she said.
Ellis said students, faculty and staff must register for the system to work.
"We greatly appreciate the support of the administration," Ellis said. "We appreciate the students who register."
South said that so far, student response to the system has been very positive.
"Less than one percent of people have opted out of using the system," South said. "The number one thing people want to know in an emergency is what to do."
Hub Blankenship, a first-year undeclared student, said he knew "a little bit" about the system and that he submitted his phone number.
"It's reassuring I guess," he said, "I just want to hear about bigger [emergencies], though."
South said students will not directly pay for the service through any new fees or raised tuition.
But initial start-up costs and long-term upkeep will cost over a quarter million dollars, said Helen Zeigler, director of business affairs. Zeigler said so far the school has spent $20,258 on hardware and training. Three-year costs are projected at $252,000.
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