The University tested its emergency text messaging system Wednesday, sending about 28,000 messages in less than one minute, according to IT security and policy officer John Borne.
In addition, more than 39,400 emails were sent within five minutes and more than 1,900 computers on campus were activated with notifications almost immediately, Borne wrote in an email to The Daily Reveille.
According to a Jan. 29 University news release, “LSU tests its emergency text messaging system twice a year, with the last test occurring Sept. 26, 2012.” The University also sends desktop notifications to some computers on campus as well as broadcast emails, the release said.
LSU Police Department spokesman Capt. Cory Lalonde said the University is legally required to give warning of dangerous situations. Lalonde said the emergency text messaging system permits quick communication of information about an incident, such as instructions to avoid certain areas of campus.
Lalonde said the University launched the emergency text notification system soon after the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007. Prior to using text messages, it was more difficult to keep the University community informed during an emergency, he said.
However, the amount of information that can be included in a text message is limited, Lalonde said.
“It’s always a balancing act between the accuracy and the quality of the information along with the actual timeliness,” Lalonde said.
Biochemistry freshman Megan Gilliam said she is not signed up to receive emergency text messages but thinks the service is effective in sharing critical information with students.
“If people don’t sign up for it, then they’re not going to know,” Gilliam said.
Though she doesn’t receive the text messages, Gilliam said she checks her email and reads the emergency broadcast messages regularly.
University students, faculty and staff can opt to receive the emergency text messages by going to myLSU, clicking “Campus Community” then “Emergency Text Message.”
“It’s always a balancing act between the accuracy and the quality of the information along with the actual timeliness.”
