The Student Government Association senate believes that the current TigerText system should be replaced with a new app.
The SGA voted unanimously to pass a bill that would replace Tiger Text with an app that would be used to alert and inform students in the event of an emergency.
The text of Bill 55 lays out why the decision was made.
“The University does not have a security system available to students that allows them to contact the police about a problem via text or distress signal,” states the bill. “The University can purchase an app for 4,000 more dollars than Tiger Text.”
Student Government Association Vice President Prataj Ingram believes the app is a step in a new direction
“The University of Memphis has been having issues with crime around the campus area, and the University does not have a security system available,” Ingram said. “The safety app will cover The U of M and surrounding University buildings.”
While many students are receptive to the idea, some have concerns about the affect on the cost of student fees. Ingram doesn’t want the cost of fees to increase but states that the cost is not solely up to SGA.
“As of now the student fees will not be raised, and we are requesting that the University as a whole shall be responsible for the purchase and up keeping of a security app,” Ingram said.
The app’s license fee will cost $19,500 per year for the initial term of 3 years as requested by the SGA. There will also be a training and custom-branding fee of $4,000. However, maintenance fees will not be required. Ingram described what they would be looking for in the app.
“We are looking into different companies and also free apps that are already being used by neighboring schools,” Ingram said. “The mobile app we are looking into has indoor positioning system, Mass notification system through the app and also by SMS, geo fencing, office panic buttons, mobile panic buttons, student shield, cloud based computing, emergency and non-emergency police phone line.”
Junior sociology and child development double major Pedra Carroll is concerned for those who aren't tech savvy or don’t have a smartphone
“It could hurt them,” said Carroll.
But Ingram says that that have found a way around that problem.
“The apps we are looking into will have a way for those who don’t have a smartphone to register for SMS messages and emails through the app so they get the same alerts as those who can download it,” Ingram said.
Junior health and human performance major Rashonn Lavender thinks it’s “pretty cool.”
“Not everyone uses Tiger Text or checks their email often, but people are always on their phone and the app makes it way easier to get information,” Lavender said.
Sophomore civil engineering Tierra Hill agrees.
“An app is way more convenient,” Hill said. “Last year when I called [police services] acted like they didn’t want to help, so hopefully the app will alleviate that.”
The next step for Bill 55 is to pass though a panel of administrators who oversee the university’s finance and safety. If passed by administration, the bill will then be enacted by July 1, 2015. Until then, Tiger Text will remain in place.
