New Emergency Text Message System Launched

Colleges across the country are re-evaluating their emergency notification systems in the wake of the tragedy at Virginia Tech last spring. Loyola recently augmented a new text messaging service that instantly and simultaneously distributes brief messages in situations posing imminent physical threats to the College Community.

“While we certainly don’t want to have to use this system, we want to be sure we have a reliable system in place if we have to,” says Tim Fox, director of public safety.

By using Short Messaging System (SMS) technology, the system, e2Campus, can convey messages to registered mobile phones, Blackberries, wireless PDAs, smart phones and satellite phones even in times when traditional phone and e-mail networks are congested due to increased volume.

Loyola’s Office of Public Safety will use the e2campus system to provide notification of situations posing imminent, physical threats to the College Community. This new mass notification system complements the existing Loyola Emergency Notification System (LENS), which includes outside sirens, PM Evergreen e-mails, phone mail announcements and indoor fire alarm speakers. The e2campus mass notification system will only be used in circumstances posing grave physical danger, and use of the system will be followed by announcements in all of the College’s existing emergency notification channels.

In order to benefit from this new service, students must register their cell phone with e2campus via Blackboard. Most cell phones are already SMS-enabled; those that are not may still receive the messages, but may incur a small fee. For more information on registering, visit: www.e2campus.com/my/loyola/.