Anyssa Bohanan

Using communication technology may be a key to keeping students safe during emergencies at Texas State University. In this Bobcat Update, Anyssa Bohanan tells us about the emergency alert system on campus.

Officials at Texas State say students can be assured that the campus is under constant surveillance to prevent criminal activity. Safety is a major concern at the university -- a job that is made more difficult with a higher enrollment. But when there's a threat, university officials can act quickly using a text message system called RAVE. It's a mobile system to get messages to the 11-thousand students who are signed up for the service.
(Soundbite: Robert L. Campbell, Texas State UPD Sergeant of Special Projects)
The alert system was most recently used over the weekend when two Texas State employees were attacked outside of Harris Dining Hall. An e-mail message containing information on the suspected attacker went to all students, but a similar *text* message only went out to those who had signed up to receive them.
(Soundbite: Teressa Waits, Texas State University Junior)
Texas State U-P-D said that the warnings are transmitted quickly with text messages being sent a few minutes before e-mails.
(Stand-Up: "Texas State is one of many universities in the nation implementing a service for student safety. One day, it may just save a life. For Bobcat Update, I'm Anyssa Bohanan.")