Students recommended that social media play a larger role in the University’s emergency response policy at a meeting Thursday of the Executive Group, a collection of 10 high-ranking administrators charged with reviewing Alert Carolina.
The meeting was prompted by complaints about a lack of communication with students following last week’s armed robbery in Morrison Residence Hall.
Leslie Strohm, the University’s general counsel who leads the group, emphasized the importance of student input in the process.
“The student leaders stressed the importance of the University sending an official message when campus rumors are swirling about safety issues,” she said. “They are helping us think about the most effective ways to do that.”
Mike Bertucci, chairman of the Graduate and Professional Student Federation safety and transportation committee, said the group discussed enhancing student communication through social media networks.
Bertucci said many of these systems are already in place but can be used more effectively to relay information to students more quickly.
“Our first reaction is not necessarily to go to Connect Carolina,” he said. “We’re trying to refine the process so that we can use Facebook and Twitter so that in a situation when students are curious, we’re trying to find a faster, more contemporary, convenient way of communication.”
Social media notices, which were first implemented last spring, are only used in the case of an imminent threat to students’ safety.
Student body president Mary Cooper said she supports the expanded use of social media.
