Emergency alert system launched at Queens College

Two days after police arrested a student carrying a rifle on St. John’s University’s campus, Queens College sent out a campus-wide email to students, faculty and staff saying that its own emergency notification system was up and running, and the campus community could begin signing up for the program.
In a story first reported exclusively by The Queens Courier on August 30, Queens College signed a contract with MIR3 Incorporated, the same provider as St. John’s, where students can sign up to receive emergency alerts either by voicemail or text message on their cell phones should a campus emergency arise.
St. John’s used its new emergency contact system for the first time on Wednesday, September 26 to alert students and staff that a man was carrying a rifle on campus. College officials sent out two messages to students and staff keeping the campus updated on the situation while authorities made sure the campus was secure.
Queens College President James Muyskens praised the way St. John’s’ handed the situation, and said that Queens College has already enrolled some students and staff into the system.
As of Tuesday, October 2, Queens College officials said only 676 students out of a total enrollment of more than 18,000 students had signed up for the service. In addition, 229 staff and 182 faculty members had already signed up.
Along with the campus-wide e-mail sent on September 28, the college has posted an announcement on its homepage and blackboard webpage, which many students access for class.
However, many of the Queens College students said they were still not aware that the college had an emergency notification system.
“I’ve never even heard about that, nobody said anything or told anyone at orientation,” said Kevin Hernandez, a Queens College freshman from Corona, who said he was shocked about the St. John’s incident and would sign up for Queens College’s program.
“I think it’s a good idea, and I’d definitely sign up,” said Stephanie Galimi, a freshman from Broad Channel, who said she had a friend in lockdown at St. John’s.
Muyskens said that the college would not require students to sign up for the program - although he acknowledged there had been previous discussions about that topic.
He said that he was hopeful that many students and staff would sign up for it, but said that the system could still be effective by students who do receive the messages alerting other students who did not choose to sign up for the service.
Meanwhile, reports say that other City University of New York (CUNY) institutions are looking to implement similar emergency alert systems by the end of this academic year.