“Chime, chime” sounds your phone and on it reads a text message, “Alert: There is a tornado warning. For your safety, please remain indoors.” Well, this was the type of message the University of Tampa should have received during last week’s thunderous storm.
Unfortunately, since my years of being at UT, Spartan Mobile Alert (SMART) texts have tended to keep the community uninformed during the most crucial times.
Take for example the various fires that have taken place primarily in Austin Hall and Straz Center.
There is also the storm that took place last year, which forced the cancellation of the Spring Concert, which would have featured Slightly Stoopid.
It makes me wonder why I’m signed up to receive SMART texts when I never seem to get them, except of course when I receive a test message. I also want to state that I’m not against the thought of having SMART texts, but I actually want to receive them. Instead, I tend to get my most important messages by email.
For residents, it’s even more important because it alerts them about any trespassers on campus or if they need to cautious of any other suspicious activity. For commuters, it would be nice to have a centralized mobile system that alerts them of class cancellations or blocked entry.
Is there any particular reason why students cannot get text messages under important circumstances?
I understand that the texts are sent out selectively, but I don’t feel that email is the best form of communication on a college campus.
By the time someone actually reads an email can vary on the person’s availability to check their email on their phone or computer. Unlike email, SMART is an optional service.
If someone does not want to receive texts, then they can easily opt-out, but if they decided to sign up in the first place, it’s because they were interested in receiving alerts.
This is my fourth year at UT and I can honestly say, aside from the sporadic test messages that go out, I have only received one or two real text alerts.
In my opinion, having more SMART texts would keep students well informed as well as potentially sparking the interest of other students not yet signed up.
Honestly, what’s the worst that could happen? Someone unsubscribes…
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