Guarding Campus Safety with Technology
The latest technologies promote safety on the UT campus through connections and interactivity |
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| Facebook, Twitter and MySpace provide a way for thousands of individuals to stay connected each day. These outlets provide a means to stay in touch with friends, follow the news and find entertainment. But on the University of Texas campus, these common technologies are constantly being researched and used to improve safety through connectivity.
The UT Office of Campus Safety and Security has taken every day communication means, such as text messaging, and incorporated it with safety preparedness. The goal is to reach the most students in the least amount of time. Bob Harkins, the associate vice president for Campus Safety and Security, says one of the challenges UT faces is the constant need to keep up with communication, as well as get it done faster. Safety Technology: Awareness Requires InitiativeEven though forty-three years have passed since Charles Whitman killed 14 students and faculty from the campus tower, preventing such tragedies is a top concern. “It you look back at the Virginia Tech shootings, one of the main concerns was notification of the campus,” Harkins said. “It took about two hours to get a message out saying there was a problem on campus. We can get a message out to about 12,000 members on mobile campus in four minutes.”A program called Longhorns Mobile Campus allows students and faculty to subscribe and receive emergency updates through text messages on their cell phones. The hope is to reach a database including all students, faculty and staff. Currently, less than half of the university population has signed up for the service. “My hope is that one person in a group will have Mobile Campus and get the word out,”Harkins said. |
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In response to the 2007 shootings in Virginia, UT has developed a new type of preventative technology to give all university members an outlet to talk about concerns. The Behavior Concerns Advice Line, BCAL, is a 24-hour hotline where any one can voice concerns and reach out for help. Although hotlines are not a new resource, safety officials are providing these outlets to enhance an old idea with a new need. “What this does is triggers a lot of different reactions,” said Officer Darrell Halstead of the Crime Preventions Unit in UTPD. “There are safe guards that prevent school shootings.”The BCAL Web site, lists scenarios when the service is necessary and gives a detailed explanation about what precautions are taken with either UTPD, the Office of the Dean of Students or the Counseling and Mental Health Center when a call is made.
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18 Responses to “Guarding Campus Safety with Technology”
Hi, guys.
It’s looking good so far.
Can you add some cell paddings to the infographic table? so that an image and captions are aligned neatly?
One more thing! insert a link of bigger image to this infographic
I agree, the info graphics are hard to read. Good job on the video.
This is a great report!! I am very impressed with your presentation, video, and information.
Your audio levels on the video could be more even.
Nice interviews in your video. Well conducted research
Relevant topic. Good sound bites from your interviews in the video. Good job!
I really like that it’s UT-centric… you hit our student target audience very well. Just a couple things: do you need a “return to first page” link on the first page? And, on page 3, your poll reads ‘University of Campus’… not sure which you’re wanting to use. Other than those minor things, great job!
I like how you showed the question written on the video screen as the person answered it. Also, on the infographic, you don’t really need the color key on the side when you have the labels written right next to the pie as well.
I like that you all addressed this topic. I like the video, layout and infographics, as well.
Nice work. The map is a little difficult to read. Good video. Nice job!
Nice job. The infographics are well organized and colorful. I’d probably capitalize the title of the video to make it look more professional.
This is very informative and relevant to UT. I really like the layout and video as well.
I really like that the story is so UT-centric… UTPD and technology… unique! Only 2 comments: do you need a “return to first page” when you’re on the first page? and also, you’re poll on pg 3 says “University of Campus”… may want to pick one way to say it! Good work!
Very relevant topic. I like that y’all increased the font size of the info graphics. good job!
This is an awesome topic and I love how you guys put in a broader context (i.e. Virginia Tech). I think the video was really informative and I like the use of questions in the video. However, I would rearrange where the video is and maybe embed it in the text instead of having it right under the subhead.
Your video is really good. I like your story; it’s very relevant and interesting. Good job!
The video was a very strong part of the story and brings great attention to audience members.
really nice work on the video. the theme is intriguing and the research was done well.
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