RICHMOND -- Virginia colleges have done "a tremendous amount of work" to improve security since the shootings at Virginia Tech, Gov. Tim Kaine said Monday after opening a statewide conference on campus security.

Administrators and police from public and private colleges throughout the state gathered at Virginia Commonwealth University to discuss safety and security issues as they prepare for the beginning of a new academic year. Kaine said most Virginia colleges have upgraded security and communications protocols since April 16, when a gunman killed 32 people and himself on the Tech campus.

"Every college president I've talked to said 'We feel good about our campus security,' " Kaine told reporters after delivering opening remarks at the conference.

"You have to have security solutions that account for every possibility and I think there's been a significant upgrade in security at most of these institutions since April," Kaine said.

Tech has taken steps to bolster security, such as making sure classroom doors can be locked from the inside and keeping residence halls locked at all times. The university also has launched an expanded emergency alert system with cellphone text messaging.

The new system will undergo its first "stress test" with registered subscribers about three to four weeks after fall classes begin, said William Dougherty, Tech's assistant director for support systems. He participated in a conference panel discussion on emergency alert systems.

The governor said he hoped the conference would give campus police and administrators a chance to exchange ideas about improving security, but acknowledged that no "one-size-fits-all" solution exists.

Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said he agreed that each college has "unique needs." But bringing officials together from schools throughout the state was beneficial, he said.

"You can always learn from other people," Flinchum said.

The conference featured panel discussions on topics such as coordination between campuses and their communities and the development of emergency alert systems. Vendors also attended the conference to promote technologies and equipment.

Kaine also expects recommendations on campus security from an eight-member panel that he appointed to investigate the Tech shootings. The panel is expected to deliver its report to Kaine as early as next week.

Kaine said he expects a "comprehensive report" from the panel, even though the police investigation of the shooting has not been completed.

"I am very confident that the report will be high quality and provide a lot of facts but also a lot of recommendations that we can use to be stronger."