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OXFORD — Miami University has started a voluntary program that will text message students in cases of a campus emergency.

The program, through the company E2Campus, is a new safety initiative following the April 16 Virginia Tech campus shootings. As a result of the slaying rampage that claimed 32 lives plus the shooter's, many universities have reconsidered how they notify students of danger while it's taking place.

"We're promising we're not going to use it for light means. It's for cases of imminent danger and campus closings," said Claire Wagner, a Miami spokeswoman.

The program is capable of generating a text message or e-mail to all students registered. Wagner said more than 3,000 students were signed up for it as of Tuesday. The goal is to get between 10,000 and 15,000 students signed up, she said.

Students have been notified of the program through a letter from the dean and through Miami's Web site. Wagner said other advertisements of the program are being considered.

The University of Cincinnati considered a text messaging system for campus safety, but went another route, spokesman Greg Hand said.

It uses voice-capable fire alarms that can broadcast custom messages campuswide or to specific buildings, he said.

"It's faster than text messaging. It's a one-button system out of police dispatch," Hand said.

Miami's program has been online since Aug. 15. Wagner said the campus paid $9,500 for the service and expects to purchase a $5,000 upgrade this fall.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2190 or jrinaldi@coxohio.com.