Text Alerts Add to BU's Safety
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ISSUE: 09/13/07 > News > Text Alerts Add to BU's Safety
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Safety has been a concern on campuses across the country since the Virginia Tech shootings in April. Belmont recently implemented an emergency text messaging system to increase campus safety.
“This is something that’s been on the radar long before Virginia Tech, but I think Virginia Tech really brought this to light as something we need to get on immediately,” said Greg Pillon, director of the Belmont Office of Communications.
The Office of Communications put the Belmont University Instant Alert Text Messaging System into operation August 17, the Friday before move-in day, said Pillon. One-fifth of the people on Belmont’s campus signed up within the first week-and-a-half.
The system came from a need for immediate communication with the students, faculty and staff. It enhances already existing forms of communication but is meant for emergency use only, Pillon said.
He defined an emergency-type situation as “something that impacts the normal operation of campus.” Such situations include criminals on campus and inclement weather.
Joseph Mosby, 19, a junior, has heard of the system but doesn’t plan to sign up. He said he checks BIC regularly, so he doesn’t see a need to.
If he signs up, Belmont would have his cell phone number. Even though he’s heard it’s only for security, he doesn’t want to start getting reminders about upcoming basketball games, he said.
However, Pillon said the Office of Communications would not spam anyone who signs up. “This is purely an emergency alert system.”
But, if anyone does want to stop receiving the alerts, they can “opt out,” said Jennifer Wetzel, assistant director of the Office of Communications. Subscribers can either send the word “stop” to 27538 or go through their BIC accounts and unsubscribe.
The system is through Dobie Mobile, a company which other campuses in the area are using, said Wetzel.
Dobie Mobile’s Web site is user-friendly and allows Pillon, Wetzel and the four other people on campus with access to it to easily contact students in case of an emergency, Wetzel said. They can also send alerts by phone if the Internet is down.
Although it’s optional, the Office of Communications wants people to sign up, said Pillon. To get the word out, fliers have been going out with parking passes.
Lindsey Triggs, 19, a sophomore, had not heard about the system, but she thinks it is a good idea. “It’s probably a more effective way of reaching all the students,” she said. “In order for it to be effective, people need to know.”
Students, faculty and staff can sign up through a link on their BIC accounts or by sending the word “Belmont” to the number 27538.
Belmont does not charge a fee to subscribers. Only charges already built into a person’s bill apply.
If people don’t want to sign up for the alerts, they can get emergency information in other ways, said Wetzel. Other outlets include the university news line at 460-5000, BIC, mass voicemail and email.
Other efforts to increase campus safety include new lights, stop signs and convocation events about safety, said Dan McAlexander, the university provost. “Concern for the safety of our students is at the heart of our actions,” he said.
