Warning: Class is canceled

Robert Morris University, a private institution in western Pennsylvania, last month announced the availability of a new app that alerts students of nearby threats. The app, called Omnilert, is used by public and private facilities across the country — including also the University of Maryland — to detect active shooters, natural disasters and utility failures. At Robert Morris, the app includes a panic button to alert 911 or campus police, and it can also be customized by each user to set class reminders or alerts for class cancellations.