Campus Safety 2026
Colleges have expanded emergency notification systems
In the years since the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007, most colleges and universities have implemented or upgraded emergency notification systems to alert and inform students and the campus community about in‑progress or impending crises or natural disasters.
Many institutions now use multi‑channel systems that can send alerts by siren, text message, phone call, email, campus app, website banner, and social media. Using several methods at once is considered a best practice because it reduces the risk of a single point of failure and helps reach more people quickly.[web:95][web:111]
On some campuses, officials conduct regular drills to test their systems and procedures. In addition, more colleges are integrating their tools so that one action can trigger multiple alert channels at the same time. Other institutions still rely on simpler, opt‑in solutions that may focus on basic text messaging and campus message boards.
What is the Clery Act?
The Clery Act (named for Jeanne Clery, who was killed in her residence hall in 1986) requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their campuses. Schools must publish an annual security report, maintain a public crime log, and issue timely warnings or emergency notifications when certain threats arise.
Although most students never experience serious crime during their years at school, it is still wise for students and parents to review campus safety web pages before a visit. Doing this may spark additional questions to ask while touring. It is also helpful to spend time looking at each school’s campus safety statistics and annual security report.
When you are on campus, ask about the school’s alert notification system and on‑campus emergency healthcare procedures. During your visit, spend a little time outside the main campus to understand what your teen might encounter when leaving the immediate college environment.
Research campus safety and sign up for alerts
Along with academics, facilities, dining, and housing, you and your teen should feel comfortable with the college’s safety record and emergency response procedures. Before or during your visit, find out how students receive alerts and encourage your teen to sign up for notifications as soon as they enroll.
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Back in early March, Janice asked me to help write this blog post on campus safety.
Some of you who know me know that I spent 2 + years selling emergency notification solutions to colleges worldwide. When I read of the tragedy at Oikos University in Oakland, California and heard from the Oakland Police Chief that he did not believe the small college had an emergency notification solution (ENS) it literally brought tears to my eyes.
If you have a child, niece, nephew or grandchild away at college, or even down the block at a local college or community college, do you know if the college has an alert solution? Do you know if your student is signed up to receive alerts?
As my friend Fred Miller who is Director of Campus Safety at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks California will tell you: “Campus Safety and Emergency notification is a team effort between his team, students, administrators, vendors, and local law enforcement.” Fred will also tell you that he has spent countless hours planning, honing and field-testing his plan. His on-campus drills are full day affairs that once complete are dissected to find what went right and what went wrong. From my experience Fred is the exception to the rule..
If a campus has an alert solution, in my experience the most a student will receive is a text (if they have opted-in) at the beginning of the semester. In my experience most colleges conduct these beginning semester tests more to test the vendor then to get student participation.
Our students are still learning to make their way in the world. We need to respect their independence, but we don’t have to be blind to efforts to keep them safe. I added the post highlighted below to my Facebook wall yesterday. I believe that this important information, if you agree please share with your students, friends, colleagues and family.
Thanks,
Alan