UWO sets up emergency PA system

OSHKOSH - A bulletin board used to be the way to get out a message.

Now when University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh officials need to reach those on campus about emergencies, they can use speakers and LED signs.

The system is designed to alert those on campus about any type of emergency ranging from a shooting, severe weather or another reason to evacuate. It cost the school $350,000 dollars, but Vice Chancellor Tom Sonnleitner says money was not an issue.

“We think it's one of our top priorities in terms of investments,” said Sonnleitner. “Even in these tight budget times, it's an important thing to do."

Students said they are glad the system is in place.

"I feel like it would give us more of a warning system," said Rochelle Miller.

“Just knowing that they have something I guess makes you feel safer as long as there's something in place," said Hannah Hunn.

And students say it gives their parents some comfort.

"I’m sure they think about us students quite a bit so I'm it gives them an easier mind," said Anthony Wussow.

The system will allow the university to broadcast emergency messages from four locations on campus: Titan Stadium, Gruenhagen Conference Center, Taylor Hall and Halsey Science Center. Individual buildings also have speakers and LED signs to help emergency communications.

The speaker and LED scroll alert system is in addition to text message alerts that were started last year. Other forms of notification are a phone hotline, the university website, and campus emails. Sonnleitner says the shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois Universities caused the school to implement a system faster.

“It certainly heightened the importance of it, but I believe we would have done something anyway such as the text messaging because we're always looking for ways to notify our faculty, staff, and students," said Sonnleitner.

The system was expected to be calibrated Monday afternoon, and is set to be tested the first Friday of each month.