Macomb, IL – Western Illinois University might receive bids soon on an emergency notification system that could notify most people on campus within 30 minutes.
Office of Public Safety Director Bob Fitzgerald says the main component can contact landline and cell phones and send text messages to all who provide those numbers.
He says people would have to opt-in to the notification system.
The university is also expanding a system that can over-ride public address systems in residence halls or buildings such as the University Union.
In addition, Fitzgerald says some loudspeakers will be installed in the university's "Blue Light" series of 45 emergency call boxes.
He says canned announcements there would reach most of the people outside.
He says there are plans to establish a web site where people could get details on what type of emergency was happening.
He says there are federal bills being discussed which could require campuses to notify students, faculty and staff within 30 minutes of when police learn of an emergency.
He says the move was discussed after the recent shootings at the Virginia Tech campus.