SMS alert system adds new tool for crisis notification
Eugene Kim
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: News
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In the past, UNO's emergency notification system consisted of an intercom paging system which alerted students, faculty and staff on campus of emergency situations.
The E2 Campus Mass Text Messaging System, which UNO hopes to have running by the end of this month, will address many concerns with security policies.
"Before [E2 Campus Text Alerts], it was my staff running around door to door telling people whatever. We could have used the eNotes system, but if something has to be acted on immediately, e-mail just doesn't quite get it," said Paul Kosel, assistant manager of Campus Security.
According to e2Campus' Web site, e2campus.com, 90 percent of college students have cell phones and "If you're not reaching students' cell phones, you're not reaching them."
The reason UNO opted to add this service to their security notification system is due to the limits of relying on one overhead system.
"If there is a downside, there isn't 100 percent coverage," said Kosel.
Kosel used long office suites as an example, saying many back offices would not hear the overhead system located in the hallways.
"We could probably stand to put a few more speakers in some places. We are going to be adding some speakers on the outside, along the mall area. That way, you don't necessarily have to be inside to hear the alert system," said Kosel.
The E2 Campus Mass Text Messaging allows university officials to send urgent news to cell phones quickly. It can also be set up to be sent to a land-line, personal data assistant, text pager and e-mail accounts.
Costing the university about $1.50 per user, per year, UNO will be able to send unlimited text notifications throughout the year, according to the e2campus Web site.
Kosel sees using the system beyond just the initial year.
"I can't think of any reason why, in a year from now, we wouldn't continue using this service. I would imagine this will just become a part of university culture from here on out," he said.
The E2 Campus Mass Text Messaging System, which UNO hopes to have running by the end of this month, will address many concerns with security policies.
"Before [E2 Campus Text Alerts], it was my staff running around door to door telling people whatever. We could have used the eNotes system, but if something has to be acted on immediately, e-mail just doesn't quite get it," said Paul Kosel, assistant manager of Campus Security.
According to e2Campus' Web site, e2campus.com, 90 percent of college students have cell phones and "If you're not reaching students' cell phones, you're not reaching them."
The reason UNO opted to add this service to their security notification system is due to the limits of relying on one overhead system.
"If there is a downside, there isn't 100 percent coverage," said Kosel.
Kosel used long office suites as an example, saying many back offices would not hear the overhead system located in the hallways.
"We could probably stand to put a few more speakers in some places. We are going to be adding some speakers on the outside, along the mall area. That way, you don't necessarily have to be inside to hear the alert system," said Kosel.
The E2 Campus Mass Text Messaging allows university officials to send urgent news to cell phones quickly. It can also be set up to be sent to a land-line, personal data assistant, text pager and e-mail accounts.
Costing the university about $1.50 per user, per year, UNO will be able to send unlimited text notifications throughout the year, according to the e2campus Web site.
Kosel sees using the system beyond just the initial year.
"I can't think of any reason why, in a year from now, we wouldn't continue using this service. I would imagine this will just become a part of university culture from here on out," he said.
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