As Public Safety moves forward with plans to improve campus communications during emergencies, Director Jerry Matthews said it has now narrowed its search for a text message alert system to two companies. The next phase of the search will involve Matthews and several advisors and campus administrators traveling to peer schools that have systems offered by the companies Rensselaer is investigating.
The University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are among the schools the team plans to visit. One of the two high-profile companies will likely provide voicemail and text messaging support to the campus during an emergency.
Matthews would not reveal the specifics for what the two proposals included, though noted, “They are similar, but offer critical differences.” Under one system, recipients would have the ability to send feedback to Public Safety after receiving a message. Students would be able to reply to text messages or phone calls with their location, safety, concerns, or another piece of information.
The systems also vary in their pricing structure: one carrying a $2-per-user charge while the other would be available to the campus at a flat rate of $25,000. Additionally, Matthews also noted that the soft costs for this kind of system, including costs to hire technicians and implement necessary technical changes, had not been calculated yet.
Northwestern University, which utilizes both a text messaging and voicemail system coupled with an audible system, will be a particular focus of Rensselaer. The intersection of these systems during an emergency would allow for the greatest possible reach, Matthews explained. An audible system, which was tested last semester, included the blasting of sirens and spoken messages. However, there are concerns about the distance the sound could travel. “When you have a campus topography such as that of Rensselaer’s, it would be hard for a message to make it beyond buildings and hills. This is why we think it is best to do both.”
The search is expected to conclude in May. Matthews hopes to have a text messaging system in place by late summer.
Public Safety is also in the process of reviving its Community Policing program, which will add a myriad of opportunities for students to interact with the department. Officer Dave Jordan, who is heading these outreach programs, explained, “Community Policing is the public relations of Public Safety and focuses on improving crime prevention and safety on campus.” Part of the initiative will look to extend the escort service already offered through Public Safety by incorporating a student-run group.
Since January, Jordan said, “Public Safety has provided 588 escorts to students around campus. This strains the officers, who are supposed to be doing rounds on campus or responding to emergencies.”
Despite the vast number of escorts that have been provided, there have been many students who have been turned down—one area the Student Senate is looking to improve on.
Community Policing will also encompass other areas including Safe Zone training, property registration, and defensive driving courses.
Jordan invites Rensselaer community members to attend an open house on April 10 at 5 pm in the Visitors Information Center if they are interested in learning more about Community Policing or have any questions about Public Safety.
