February 15, 2008

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--As part of the continuing emergency response efforts initiated by The University of West Alabama, the University is announcing the use of a new, state-of-the-art rapid alert and notification system named SchoolCast. This system will help ensure the safety of UWA students and staff using the most advanced express communication program available for schools, said UWA President Richard D. Holland.

“In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, we reviewed our ways of communicating with the campus community, and we believe this system will greatly improve the timeliness and quality of our emergency communications,” Holland added.

The new system will provide nearly instantaneous notification to inform students, faculty and staff, emergency responders and local media of human or natural threats. The convenient and effective SchoolCast system will send emergency messages via telephone (land-line and cell), voice mail, text messaging, PDA devices and e-mail.

“We take campus safety very seriously, and we’re committed to doing all we can to ensure the University community receives proper notification should an emergency situation arise,” Holland said.