2008 Woodie Awards
Campus inbox alert
New text message warning system to assist students
Ali Carlson
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
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The program has been in the planning stages since April of 2007 when multiple students were gunned down on the Virginia Tech campus. "We want to get the message to students in case of delays, cancellations or emergencies," stated Tom Kaldenberg, executive director of facilities.
According to Kaldenberg, students must logon to the Kirkwood Web site in order to register and be notified by text message and e-mail. "We hope to have the program up and running in May so we are ready for tornado season," said Kaldenberg.
The alert administrators will send notifications to registered cell phones, PDA, Blackberry and e-mail users. When students sign up on the Kirkwood Web site, students will be required to enter personal information and the campus they want to be notified about. "Students can get messages for any Kirkwood location but if you just want to be notified about what is happening at Cedar Rapids, that is an option," stated Kaldenberg.
Chelsie Roberts, public relations major said, "This program will definitely help me out. This winter I traveled from Iowa City to find out that there was no class."
Kirkwood has been looking at different programs to make sure that they are getting the best for the situations and students.
"We are trying to stay on top of the power curve," said Kaldenberg. Other schools in the area such as the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa have established this type of program for emergency and cancellation information. "I think the [alert system] is a great idea but it doesn't really help me out at all because I can't receive text messages on my cell," said Sam Duffy, business administration major.
Kirkwood will present information later in the semester about how to be added to the list and be notified of cancellations and emergency situations.
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