Alert system proves effective

Although some students just think of bomb threats as a reason to get out of class, Jim Pulliam, the safety and risk manager for UTC, said they are a very serious matter.One bomb threat was called in during both the fall and spring semesters this year. However, Pulliam says the amount of threats at the university have stayed about the same the past couple of years.

Students can be informed about bomb threats on campus quickly through UTC Rave alerts. The system sends out mass text messages and e-mails instantaneously to anyone that has subscribed to them.

Reece suggested that every UTC student subscribe to the alerts because "they keep you well-informed about dangerous situations on or around campus."

Pulliam added, "We have maybe one-third of the student population participating in [Rave Alerts], and I would really like to see more."

A student can subscribe to the Rave alerts online through the school's Web site.

Pulliam said each threat is taken with the same amount of seriousness. The consequences of calling in a bomb threat and getting caught vary from state to state, but the punishment is severe in all cases.

In the past, bomb threats have shown increases during finals week. This brings out the possibility that many threats are called in for the sole purpose of getting out of taking a test.

"If you're unprepared for an exam, that's your fault," Brittnee Reece, a Murfreesboro, Tenn. sophomore, said. "You don't need to jeopardize other students' safety because of your lack of studying.