Alert systems need to be more clear

On Monday, in response to the violent riots following Freddie Gray’s death, the University began to issue emergency alerts in the form of text messages and website posts. As the riots grew larger and more destructive, the University issued instructions and updates on the situation.

The Editorial Board would like to praise the University for its quick emergency responses and clear concern for the safety of both students and employees. Although the Editorial Board acknowledges that the schedule changes made may inconvenience students, especially in light of upcoming finals, we appreciate the University’s consideration of everyone’s safety and their decisions to act with precaution.

However, in a time when the University should be offering clarity and reassurance, the emergency alerts sent out were not very clear and caused confusion for many students. The messages often used language and abbreviations that students did not understand upon first read. For instance, when the University canceled classes on Monday, the text message read: “Classes in Balt. city will NOT be held today or t’nite.” It was unclear to some whether or not Homewood campus qualified as Baltimore City because earlier in the day, classes at only the downtown Carey Business School were cancelled.

Additionally, the emergency text message that included the instructions to “go to a safe and secure (shelter) location and remain there” could have been made more clear; some students did not understand if the message meant that they were required to go to designated shelters or even what qualified as a shelter.

The emergency notices website students were advised to check for more information did not provide clarifying information about which campuses were specifically closed either, and the website was not updated simultaneously with the text alerts. When students followed the text message’s instructions to check the website for more information, there was often no information to be found. And the text messages included a phone number for students to call for more information, but the number led to a recording that simply read the text aloud.

We recognize the intensity and delicacy of the situation in Baltimore and around campus, and we really do appreciate the University’s efforts to ensure student and employee safety. However, it is the University’s responsibility to present the student body with clear and concise emergency instruction and information, even in the face of such an undesirable situation. It is worth a moment to look over a text message before sending it and consider if students know what a “shelter” means or if they know whether Homewood Campus is in Baltimore City or not. At the end of the day, if the emergency information is not presented clearly and quickly, it only serves to confuse students and potentially put them in more danger.

Editor's note: The editorials this week were written by the 2015-2016 Editorial Board.