In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, SMU understands the importance of doing everything in its power to stop such an event from occurring on its own campus. To prevent a tragedy of great magnitude, the university has implemented new methods of alerting students when an emergency occurs. Aside from e-mail alerts, voice mail messages and even runners delivering alerts by word of mouth, the most vital extension of the new system lies in the world of the text message.
Let’s face it, in this day and age the text message is the most prominent way to get in touch with someone. All over campus, students walk to and from class with cell phone in hand, fingers mashing away at tiny keys. Normally used to find out where someone is or what he or she is doing, the text message now has a higher purpose: to save lives.
As a test, students who provided their cell phone numbers on Access received a text message from the SMU Emergency Management last week. The problem is, not everyone has provided a cell phone number to be contacted in case of emergency. It is imperative that everyone on campus takes advantage of this new life-saving alert system.
When a crisis strikes it can manifest anywhere and at anytime. Something could go wrong in Dallas Hall, Meadows Museum or even Ford Stadium. In such an emergency, where will you be? Not all students are in front of computers all the time, able to receive e-mail at all seconds of the day, nor might they be in earshot of a runner’s word-of-mouth warning. However, the majority of students do have constant access to a cell phone. If an emergency occurs on one side of campus, an instant notification can save hundreds of lives. It is idiotic to abstain from participating in receiving text message alerts.
Giving the university your cell phone number will not lead to any negative consequences or an invasion of privacy. You’re not going to receive phone calls from professors or administrators asking why you missed class last Tuesday. The athletic department is not going to call you, asking you to buy tickets to football games and “Pony up!” Don’t feel uneasy on Thursday nights, worrying that the police department is going to call and ask where you are or what you’re doing. Providing the school with the information is not an agreement for unwanted solicitation, but it is an exchange for a potential life jacket in a time of emergency.
Don’t put yourself in impending danger. Make sure you can receive the emergency alerts.
