COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Three colleges in Colorado Springs are using text messages to alert students and staff in case of a gunman or other crises on campuses.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College and Colorado College have joined other schools in adopting new emergency-alert systems after a gunman at Virginia Tech killed 32 people and himself April 16.
An investigative panel concluded that lives could have been saved if alerts were sent out earlier.
About 900 students have signed up for the UCCS alert system since it was launched during the recent semester break, UCCS Police Chief Jim Spice said. The system will allow the university to send thousands of text messages and e-mails, plus voice messages to land lines at libraries, labs and classrooms. It has about 7,500 students.
CC signed up all students and staff to receive emergency calls and e-mails last fall, and text-message alerts should be in place this spring, said Randy Stiles, vice president for information management.
CC also will use a traditional warning system: During an emergency, the bells of Shove Chapel will ring in a distinct way to signal students and staff to check for electronic alerts, Stiles said.
PPCC hopes to have its text-message system set up within the next two weeks, said spokeswoman Nan Heflin. She said students can sign up for text messages and opt out at any time.
The services cost $6,000 to $24,000 a year, but schools will provide them free to students.
———
Information from: The Gazette,
