Text-message alert system long needed
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Opinion
The UA Friday implemented a new text-messaging system cleverly titled RazALERT (Razorback Alert - get it?).
RazALERT will not only warn students if a shooting has occurred on campus, but it also will alert students about severe weather in the area or hazardous conditions on campus.
And with the number of tornadoes that stormed through Northwest Arkansas in the past year, this alert system definitely could come in handy, especially if students receive the messages while they're away from TVs or computers.
While the UA has a history of sending out e-mails or calling landlines when, or if, a tragic or severe event happens, most people are not walking down the sidewalk continuously checking their e-mails.
However, most of us cannot walk down the sidewalk without seeing about one out of every three people staring intently at their phones, texting away.
Landlines are fading and would be substantially unreliable for college students these days, especially those who are often away from their rooms, in class or don't have a landline at all. This alone proves the reliability (assuming it works properly) and the vastness of the RazALERT system.
The UA even has made it easy for students to sign up for the updates. Students are automatically enrolled in the emergency-notification system, which sends a voicemail and text message if an incident of severe circumstances were to occur on campus.
The UA has spent more than $50,000 on this system. Even though this seems like a substantial amount for a text-messaging system, it is well worth it if it can save the life of anybody on campus.
The system might cost students a fee, depending on their cell phone and text messaging services, but what is a small price compared to knowing about danger before it comes their way?
RazALERT will not only warn students if a shooting has occurred on campus, but it also will alert students about severe weather in the area or hazardous conditions on campus.
And with the number of tornadoes that stormed through Northwest Arkansas in the past year, this alert system definitely could come in handy, especially if students receive the messages while they're away from TVs or computers.
While the UA has a history of sending out e-mails or calling landlines when, or if, a tragic or severe event happens, most people are not walking down the sidewalk continuously checking their e-mails.
However, most of us cannot walk down the sidewalk without seeing about one out of every three people staring intently at their phones, texting away.
Landlines are fading and would be substantially unreliable for college students these days, especially those who are often away from their rooms, in class or don't have a landline at all. This alone proves the reliability (assuming it works properly) and the vastness of the RazALERT system.
The UA even has made it easy for students to sign up for the updates. Students are automatically enrolled in the emergency-notification system, which sends a voicemail and text message if an incident of severe circumstances were to occur on campus.
The UA has spent more than $50,000 on this system. Even though this seems like a substantial amount for a text-messaging system, it is well worth it if it can save the life of anybody on campus.
The system might cost students a fee, depending on their cell phone and text messaging services, but what is a small price compared to knowing about danger before it comes their way?
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