Missouri Alert Network System Engages All Collegiate Campuses

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt yesterday announced all public and independent higher education institutions have an official contact on file with the Missouri Alert Network, fulfilling another recommendation from his Campus Security Task Force to improve communication to make colleges and universities safer.

"Our team of public safety, higher education and homeland security officials have formed an effective alliance with our private partners who are providing the technical support for the alert network at no charge to Missouri," Gov. Blunt said. "I commend the Missouri School Boards' Association for partnering with our public safety officials and campuses to make this alert network possible. Our students and their families can take comfort in knowing their school administrators and their public safety officials are working tirelessly to ensure campus security remains a priority at all times."

The Missouri Alert Network, supported by GroupCast LLC St. Louis, allows for instantaneous notification to designated officials at each campus. The system allows officials to receive real time public safety alerts and other relevant information from the Missouri Department of Public Safety. The state partnered with the Missouri School Boards' Association to bring this information distribution system to K-12 schools and Missouri's colleges and universities at no charge.

"In the shadow of the one year anniversary of the tragic Virginia Tech shootings, Missouri has reached an unprecedented milestone ensuring Missouri students attending our higher education institutions have the benefit of their campus receiving timely public safety alerts," said Mark James, director of the Department of Public Safety.

"Our higher education officials are responsive to the emerging threat spectrum and the need to assure their students that they are connected to timely threat information," said Dr. Robert Stein, commissioner of the Department of Higher Education. "I applaud their willingness to engage on this challenging aspect of campus safety and security. I am honored to be working with a diverse group of dedicated professionals who are passionate about promoting safe and secure campuses throughout Missouri."

The Higher Education Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council continues to work on the other important recommendations that were part of the Governor's Campus Security Task Force report.