As it stands, when BruinAlert runs its test this Thursday, 69 percent of the student body will miss out on the text message component of the system UCLA has implemented to inform students of emergencies that require immediate notification.
Given that the means of contacting those who do not sign up for text messaging are less readily accessible, it is unacceptable that more than half the student population has yet to take full advantage of the emergency alert system.
It is imperative that those who have not yet signed up for the text messaging component of the system should take the initiative to put their name on the list.
Reasons have been suggested to explain the low participation, most of which stem from concerns over the cost of receiving texts and how frequently the system will be used.
However, non-participation in an emergency alert system should not be an option simply because individuals would rather not sacrifice the cost of a text message.
Students interested in joining the program can follow the link on their MyUCLA home page on the “My Features” sidebar under the subhead “Productivity.”