Students, faculty and staff have been slow to enroll in the U.Va. Alerts program, a security measure designed to keep the University community safer by enhancing communication capabilities in the event of an emergency situation.
Associate Dean of Students Bill Ashby said about 9,500 people have signed up for the service so far, out of about 33,000 who are eligible. Once enrolled in the program, individuals are able to receive text messages in the event of an emergency.
Other universities are experiencing similarly slow starts with text-messaging programs. George Mason University has enrolled about 10,000 of 35,000, GMU press secretary Dan Walsch said. According to James Madison University spokesperson Donald Egle, JMU has registered about 5,000 of 20,000 individuals.
Virginia Tech has had the strongest student response with 18,000 of 32,000 eligible enrolled, according to Tech spokesperson Larry Hincker.
"Of course we'd love to see 100 percent participation," Egle said, adding that he is still "very encouraged" by the number currently participating at JMU.
Ashby said he realizes full participation is unlikely because the program requires community members to opt in. He said he set his goal instead at 50 percent, at which point word-of-mouth will hopefully spread the message to those not participating.
Second-year Engineering student Allison Delery said she enrolled in the University of Virginia's program after receiving an e-mail this summer. Delery said the program makes her feel safer because if an emergency occurs, the University will be able to get in touch with her faster.
In the event of an emergency, Ashby said the University will not only rely on this new program, noting that the text messages are only "one piece of the broader emergency communication strategy." Mass e-mail will still be the primary means of communication between administrators and students; text messages will be used only in cases that pose an "imminent threat to people in the moment."
Ashby added that the University has not set an absolute guideline for determining what cases are critical enough to merit a text message.
GMU freshman Melissa Anderson said her friends received a text message two weeks ago warning about a man on campus who had reportedly accosted two girls. The message provided details about the man's appearance and advised students to stay in groups.
Anderson herself is not signed up for GMU's text-messaging program because her cell phone plan does not include text messages, but found out about the message quickly as word spread among students.
"Everyone was talking about it within an hour," she said. "The program makes me feel safer."
Third-year College student Anthony Haro said he is not signed up for the University's program, citing apathy as his reason.
"I don't think it's important enough," he said, "I just don't have the drive."
Walsch drew an analogy between the text messaging systems and voting.
"Most people would agree that it's important, but it's not always a priority," he said.
Ashby encouraged University community members to take a few minutes to register for the alerts, noting that "it's free, easy and provides a wonderful peace of mind."
Ashby and officials from other universities expressed optimism that enrollment in programs such as U.Va. Alerts will grow.
"We're doing what we can," Walsch said of promotion efforts. "Communication is key ... That's what this program is about"
Read More
Winsome Earle-Sears talks higher education in first U.Va. event of the campaign
By Ford McCracken | 13 hours agoA Jamaican immigrant and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Earle-Sears is the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia,
U.Va.'s Earth Day Eco-Fair 2025 spotlights sustainability advocacy
By Leigh Bailey | 14 hours agoStudents from Contracted Independent Organizations and University Office of Sustainability leadership programs each shared their unique perspectives about sustainability advocacy on Grounds.
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | YesterdayStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
