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Western Michigan University To Change Emergency Alert System

KALAMAZOO (WWJ/AP) - Western Michigan University officials say they're looking at campus security measures in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting as well as recent issues with its emergency alert system.

The WMU Alert System is designed to quickly send thousands of automated calls to students in the event of an emergency.

The Kalamazoo school said it twice activated the system when armed robberies recently occurred on campus, but received mixed reviews regarding its effectiveness. Some students said they didn't receive a phone call, while others said they received multiple calls.

RELATED: 3 College Students Arraigned In Robbery Spree

And the fatal shootings of 20 students and six staff members Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., prompted Western Michigan President John Dunn to re-examine campus safety.

"We are going to change out our system vendor. We are not happy with the response system. We have done everything we can to patch it up and work with the vendor, but we're not happy, so we're moving on," Dunn told WMUK-FM.

He also said the school is considering expanding its police force, which currently employs 62 people in four divisions.

"The question for us is, 'Do we need to increase our security now?' It's one of those things, as president, I'm constantly worried about. I'm not a parent of the 25,000 individuals on campus but I care deeply and view them as my own," Dunn told WMUK-FM.

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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