Colleges Implement Emergency Text Messaging

St. John's University in New York had a successful experience using emergency text messaging when a masked gunman invaded the campus.

"Though only 2,100 students were signed up for the program, the text message, and two more that followed, spread within seconds, which...'allowed us to manage this mini-city of 20,000 people.'"

Fascinating that it only took 10 percent of those on campus to sign up for the program in order for it to be effective, because those people immediately informed those around them of the situation.

(Hat tip: Instapundit.)

This summer my daughter's university implemented a similar electronic alert system. In addition to staff and students, parents and frequent campus visitors can sign up to be part of the alert system so they'll be fully informed in the event of a campus emergency.

With today's "wired" college campus, the use of text messaging and email for such alerts is a very effective way to reach a wide number of people in a short period of time.