Colleges using text messages to alert kids

[farmgirl]

Not sure if this is new everywhere, but just heard on the news this morning that our local colleges and universities are finally using text messages to alert staff and students of any dangers or class cancelations due to weather. The girl they interviewed said last year it was via email which was really gonna help you if you were not at your computer checking it. I know they mentioned it when I registered my daughter for residence in Red Deer. It gave me a bit of peace of mind to know that they are trying to learn from tragedies like Virginia Tech. Is this the norm all over now?

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by farmgirl

Not sure if this is new everything, but just heard on the news this morning that our local colleges and universities are finally using text messages to alert staff and students of any dangers or class cancelations due to weather. The girl they interviewed said last year it was via email which was really gonna help you if you were not at your computer checking it. I know they mentioned it when I registered my daughter for residence in Red Deer. It gave me a bit of peace of mind to know that they are trying to learn from tragedies like Virginia Tech. Is the the norm all over now?

I'm guessing the systems that they will use is more than just text message. They may be using systems that have a variety of ways of contacting someone, including cell phone, email, text, pager, etc.

[CaroleLB]

Originally Posted by farmgirl

Is the the norm all over now?

Yes, it is pretty much the norm.

To ensure a strong participation a student would be required to file forms if they wanted to opt out of this program.

[farmgirl]

Originally Posted by CaroleLB

Yes, it is pretty much the norm.

To ensure a strong participation a student would be required to file forms if they wanted to opt out of this program.

That is a great idea, highly doubt many if any kids will opt out, that would mean paperwork!! I know if makes me feel a bit more secure. My daughter will not even mow lawn without her cell phone, so I know it will be with her 24/7. I know hearing about the girl raped the other day in an Ontario unversity while working in the lab makes a mother worry. My darling daughter is a very naive country girl and not intune with the dangers of the city!!