In response to the April 16, 2007 campus shootings, Virginia Tech has implemented various technologies across the university to aid in faster communication for emergency situations.
VT Alerts
Students can sign up for the VT Alerts system online. You'll always receive emergency messages through your Tech e-mail, and they are always posted on the Tech Web site, but you can subscribe to receive them through up to three means of communication - non-Tech e-mail, Instant Messenger, or text messaging.
A lot of students have issues with the fact that it takes up to 30 minutes for a message to reach all of the subscribed targets. Don't expect to receive the message on e-mail, cell phone or Instant Messenger at the same time. They're sent out in groups, and they can't all be sent out within seconds. The Tech homepage and Tech e-mail are usually the best places to get the information first.
The VT Alerts system was utilized twice in the 2008-09 school year.
The first time, in November 2008, a cartridge of a nail gun was detonated outside of Pritchard Hall and the noise was similar to that of gunshots. Students and faculty were informed to stay where they were until more information developed.
In January 2009, a graduate student was killed in the Au Bon Pain in the Graduate Life Center. Alerts told students and faculty to stay indoors and away from the GLC until the situation was secure.
Occasionally throughout the year there will be test messages sent. The university will make it clear that a test will be conducted and the messages will say "TEST."
Message boards
Within the last year, the university has begun to install electronic message boards in classrooms and heavily populated areas of the campus.
The boards show the date and time in normal use, and will switch to read emergency notifications similar to those sent through VT Alerts.
Boards are continually added to the campus, and over 200 are already set up.
Some criticize that the boards' messages aren't always clear, so be sure to listen to your professor's instructions.