We can't blame them for trying.

UW Emergency Management's (UWEM) new UW Alert program, which sends a text message to subscribers' phones in the case of an emergency, is a step in the right direction.

But the plan has a few glitches that might just make it void during an actual emergency.

First, UW Alert doesn't help those of us who don't have text messaging or even cell phones. Even if we do have a phone, we all know how bad the cell service is on campus, especially inside any of the thick brick buildings we inhabit eight hours a day.

So, say we have a cell phone, pay for text messaging, aren't indoors and have our phones turned on, UW Alert will work great, right?

Even given all of these things, how much information can actually be provided through a text message?

"Dnt com 2 cmpus" isn't quite going to cut it. In a real emergency, it'd be nice to know what's going on and what exactly we're supposed to do about it.

Even though the system is a good step toward finding the best solution for campus safety, the brainstorming should continue. We can't get complacent just because we have mediocre safety measures in place.

UWEM's emergency management plan, revised in September, outlines several goals for safety, including training, working groups, measurable strategies and new technologies — all good ideas, so long as they're realized.

Whatever safety plan we establish in the end needs to be able to reach all members of the campus community and give complete information about the emergency at hand and what actions need to be taken.

UW Alert is a good first step, but there is quite a journey ahead if we want a campus safety plan that can actually keep us safe.