By Joe Hadsall

jhadsall@joplinglobe.com

The shots fired on the campus of Virginia Tech University in April still ring through the heads of the nation’s universities.

As area campuses prepare for the fall semester, they are unrolling new security features to add layers of protection for students.

Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Pittsburg (Kan.) State University and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami have reverse-911 systems either in place or under development. In the event of an emergency, the systems will send messages to students’ cell phones.

Such a system is in place at MSSU, said Ken Kennedy, director of public safety.

The university signed an agreement with Jyngle, a messaging company that is providing its service to universities for safety notifications. The university will pay 6 cents per text message.

“One thing that has been on our mind is immediate notification,” Kennedy said. “A good way to do that is with cell phones, since so many students have them.”

Students voluntarily sign up for the notifications at no cost. Normal charges for text messages charged by cell-phone companies will apply.

As long as the notification program is voluntary, junior Matthew Baum, of Kansas City, thinks the program is all right.

“It will be a help as long as it’s not mandatory,” Baum said. “I’m not sure about forcing everyone to give their cell number.”

MSSU also will assemble an advisory group this semester dedicated to identifying students who might be at risk for emotional problems.

“This would be a multi-disciplined group, with members from faculty, staff, housing, public safety and counseling,” Kennedy said. “We would talk about students who might be at risk, who show emotional or mental problems.”

The group would meet about once a month, Kennedy said.