In the wake of the tragic events that took place at Virginia Tech last week, Rutgers is implementing a new tool to enhance safety on campus. Beginning this week, Rutgers is encouraging students, faculty and staff on its three campuses to register their mobile phone numbers with the university so that they will be able to receive alert messages.

Anyone with a Rutgers “netID” – the university’s Internet identification that permits registered students and employees access to official information online – may go to a secure Web site, alerts.rutgers.edu, to record his or her cell phone number with the university. The information will be confidential. It will be used for notification only in emergencies, such as major weather events that force the cancellation of classes or imminent threats to the safety or security of the campus community.

“This system is part of our continuing efforts to improve communications at Rutgers and to help keep our community as safe as possible,” said President Richard L. McCormick. “It will complement the methods we currently use to disseminate urgent information.” President McCormick urged all Rutgers faculty, students and staff to participate. For the text of the president’s full message to the university community on campus safety, click here.

Other security measures currently in place on Rutgers’ campuses include:

• Hundreds of security cameras located in and around residence halls, parking lots and bus stops. The university plans to install additional cameras in all buildings.
• Residence halls that are equipped with electronic locking systems that require swipe card access 24 hours a day, or are staffed by security personnel who check the ID of anyone entering the building.
• Using a variety of existing methods to notify students, faculty and staff about emergencies. These methods include sending e-mail, notifying off-campus radio and television stations and posting notices on the university Web site and on RU-tv, the university’s campus cable television network.

Sending alerts to mobile phones is the newest channel of communication that will be employed by the university. Rutgers administrators will continue to work with students, faculty, staff and others to develop additional initiatives to further enhance campus safety and security.