In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, Rhode Island College, based in Providence, implemented an emergency response system that is debuting on campus this fall.

The system is a new feature offered by Apogee Telecommunications and uses a secure web interface to simultaneously send emergency notifications to both email addresses and cell phone numbers in the system. The service is free to customers using Apogee technology and allows for up to 24 messages annually. RIC has been using Apogee technology for about three years.

In addition to the text message system, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phones have been installed in new residence halls. These phones can be used to broadcast emergency messages. RIC wants to put these phones in all dorms and is considering modifying blue light emergency phones with speakers to serve a similar purpose.

The college currently sends emergency information through a global email distribution to students and college personnel, a recorded message on the college’s information hotline, regular college website updates, and on the campus radio and television stations.