<p>This is a good idea: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=332066[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=332066</a></p>
<p>I would urge all universities to do this.</p>
<p>That is a good idea. A lot faster than emails.</p>
<p>I don’t disagree with this, but there’s a certain irony in the fact that the school is creating a system where those who follow the professor’s instructions to turn off cell phones in class are also cutting themselves off from crucial safety information.</p>
<p>Well, it may be time to set them only to vibrate.</p>
<p>an excellent idea by FSU. Now if only I knew how to set my phone on vibrate!!</p>
<p>Good idea. No kid goes far without their cell phone. Come to think of it, I don’t either…</p>
<p>Maybe the phone companies could set up a system where official emergency texts came through loud and clear, whether the phone was on silent or not.</p>
<p>This is a good idea but another idea - sirens/speakers and flashing red lights. It’s not that costly and it’d cover the entire campus including those who don’t have cell phones or are in a no reception zone.</p>
<p>The cell phone idea could stop people from coming onto campus during a situation which is good.</p>
<p>Maybe a combo of the two would be a good idea.</p>
<p>Vyse - I like your idea. It would probably demand the cooperation of all cell phone companies, but for something of this magnitude, it is well worth it.</p>
<p>The thing is…will this cause widespread panic? How do we drill for this? I’m just old enough to remember all the “duck and cover” drills we had in elementary school in the late 60’s…even then we never took it seriously.</p>
<p>PSU has had the cell phone system in place for awhile although its up to the student to sign up for it. They highly suggest signing up for it.My son has already been alerted to unscheduled days off due to weather using this method.</p>
<p>If sports scores are readily available via cell phone, then I have no doubt that emergency messages could be. Yes there will be a price, but heck… I doubt that after the first few tests, the messages would cause “widespread panic” - think London during air raids during WWII. (And yes, I suppose sirens could be used rather than cell phones…Not sure how I feel about that, since there is no way to give specifics.)</p>
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I like that. I can think of several universities, including my own, that have nonexistent or extremely poor cell phone or wireless reception in certain areas. Adapting the blue light system, which already covers the campus, would be a good backup.</p>
<p>how long till they sell 20,000 cell phone numbers to companies that have college kids as the target audience?</p>
<p>I would be really skeptical about giving my cell phone number to my school. They don’t need it.</p>
<p>Someone can walk into a 300 person lecture hall and gun down the vast majority of the people in there in less than a minute. Nothing can be done to stop that. If someone wants to do it, it will be done.</p>
<p>You’d have to be very cynical/paranoid to think that an established university would abuse a number given for an emergency broadcast system. While they technically don’t need your cell number, it’s a pretty good idea to give it to them, with almost no negative consequences.</p>
<p>I’d give my number in an instant.</p>
<p>God, I hate how people always think that someone is out to buy off their information. Jesus, it’s just a number, It’s about KNOWING. Dont you think the phone company sells your information? Yeah, don’t give them your number…</p>
<p>Great idea…much more effective then school email (which I never check)</p>
<p>I’m probably the only college student who doesn’t regularly carry her cell phone around with her. Though I do check my email regularly throughout the day.</p>
<p>Campuses with poor cellular service could encourage cellular providers to install cell sites on or near campus. Many carriers will do this…</p>
<p>Rapid, accurate info is what is needed. As long as most students are able to get a text message/email warning, that info would spread quickly to students who are not on line or have a cell phone available.</p>
<p>BTW, do any of our students not have a cell phone???</p>
<p>borgin, you can bet that if every other student around you with a cell phone got a message that there was a killer on the loose, you’d find out, with or without your cell phone.</p>