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Editorial Emergency System: Able to alert students |
The time is around 3 p.m. Most students on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville (TAMUK) are either back at their dorms, studying in the library, taking classes or heading home for the day.
For the students who thought they were going to exit as their day finished, security came up front and locked the doors.
On April 16 the TAMUK campus was placed on lock-down after an alleged gunman was running loose near the university.
Many students were alerted quickly via phone or e-mail.
However, there were some students who had not received any notification or they were notified late.
Many were wondering what was going on.
Some even believed that it was a cruel joke, since it was the one-year anniversary of the tragedy of Virginia Tech.
For some of those students, they may have forgotten to register themselves in the new system. However, there were a few who claimed they were registered and were concerned about not getting a phone call, text message or e-mail.
There lies the problem.
The system worked to the best of its abilities to assure the safety of the students in school.
Some students called their parents to make sure they were okay, others were just hoping to get out of campus soon.
Students stayed inside of their dorm, and the exit doors were not allowed to be locked because it is considered a fire hazard.
It was a smart decision for them not to lock-up those doors.
After all, the doors are equipped with security door openers. Bystanders could not walk in unless they have a proper student ID.
Students were informed to stay inside until any notification was given to let them go.
With the way the entire campus handled the situation, it was considered by many to be a complete success.
As for the students who did not receive e-mails or phone calls, the solution is to check to see if your registration has been updated online. Just simply go to the blue and gold online and just follow the directions.
The system is not to blame, though many saw it a scapegoat for not getting notified soon enough.
According to an online poll on caller.com 84 percent agreed that the system did its job.
Although many may think that the three hours of waiting to leave were tedious, it should be credited to the university that they succeeded in keeping all of the students safe.