UI studies social networking sites to send alerts
The University of Iowa is looking into sending emergency alerts through social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

Spokeswoman Linda Kettner says officials are examining whether the sites could be used in the event of a natural disaster or violent crime. She adds the school isn't ready to act on the idea just it.

The university's public safety director, says that for now, the school is sticking with the Hawk Alert, which was launched in the fall of 2007. It allows the university to send messages quickly to 45,000 faculty, staff and students by a variety of mediums, such as text, cell phone, home phone or e-mail.

Warning towers on campus also send out voice alerts and sound sirens.