MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Madison is setting up an emergency text-messaging service, designed to alert students, staff and faculty of dangerous situations on campus.

The move comes as security and safety have become major concerns for campus residents and employees following incidents such as mass shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University.

UW-Madison spokesman John Lucas said a system called WiscAlerts-Text is being developed that would send text alerts to cell phones once a threat to public safety is detected.

Lucas said the service would only be used in emergencies, and not to send out general bulletins or spam.

He said he expects the system to be ready in May or June at the latest.