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JALC implements new text and e-mail service

By Codell Rodriguez, The Southern

Monday, December 10, 2007 11:17 PM CST

CARTERVILLE - The days of John A. Logan College students driving through frozen countryside to get to class on time only to learn classes have been cancelled could be over.

Students can now receive updates from the college via text message and e-mail through a new program called VOLTXT, which is contracted through notification service e2Campus. The service is free to students, faculty and the general public and offers updates on emergencies, athletic scores, alumni information, continuing education information and performance series events.

The college will pick up the bill, which is about $2,500 a year. Dean of Student Services Terry Crain said the college will not start to really market the new service until early 2008, but more than 200 people have already signed up by word of mouth.

"I think we'll find out it's well worth the cost to give this opportunity to the students, faculty and general public," Crain said.

Erin Glodich, a business student from West Frankfort, already has signed up and said that with her daily commute, it will be nice to know if there's no need to show up for class.

"I think it's a great idea," Glodich said. "I remember driving all the way over here and getting here and there being no class."

Glodich said one incident where the service would have been very useful is when the college had to shut down in October because of water pressure problems stemming from heavy storms.

"If we had this then, it would've saved so many students a lot of time having to drive over here," Glodich said.

Crain said having the service will be a very positive step in keeping students informed about what's going on at the school.

"For 2008, this will have one of the biggest impacts we've had at the college as far as communicating with students," Crain said.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com / 351-5804

VOLTXT service

Sign up for John A. Logan College updates by text message, e-mail or both at www.jalc.edu/admissions/voltxt.html.