Text Messaging: One of Many Emergency Notification Tools

Campus administrators use a variety of ways to notify people of a campus emergency. The UMass Amherst Campus Alerts system includes:
 
Broadcast e-mail sent to the university e-mail accounts of students, faculty and staff
UMass Amherst Web site: www.umass.edu
 
Emergency Closing Hot Line:
(413) 545-3630
Emergency text-messaging for cell phones
Messages sent to key designated personnel in residence halls and academic and administrative facilities, who then personally spread the word to building occupants.
Fire alarm systems
The UMass Police are well trained in emergency response and are on duty around the clock.
External news media: radio, television, print and Internet outlets are notified by the Office of News and Information.

UMass Amherst is pleased to announce a new emergency text messaging service for students, faculty and staff.

As part of UMass Amherst’s Campus Alerts system, emergency text messages will provide time-sensitive notifications to subscribers’ cell phones about situations that pose an immediate risk to the safety of the campus or could significantly disrupt its activities.

 


A SPIRE or OIT Account* is required to log in to SPIRE. If you do not have a SPIRE or OIT Account, go to the OIT Help Desk (A109 Lederle Graduate Research Center).

Detailed Instructions (pdf, 41K) | Get Help


*An OIT Account provides access to university e-mail and other technology services.

 

 

Campus Alerts Text Messaging FAQs

When will this service be available?

Emergency text messaging was introduced during the spring 2008 semester. The campus conducted an initial test of the system during the week of April 14. The test was intended to assess whether messages were received by all subscribers and how quickly messages were transmitted. Most subscribers reported receiving the test message within 5 minutes.

Why should I subscribe?

No one can predict when a campus emergency will occur, or where you will be when it happens. If you have a cell phone, Campus Alerts text messages will provide urgent, time-sensitive information directly to you, whatever your location. Subscribers will receive a message labeled 'Campus Alert' transmitted from '23177', the address used by our service provider, Connect-ED.

Who can subscribe?

To ensure the prompt delivery of messages to the people directly affected by an incident on campus, the service is limited to students, faculty and staff.

Will I receive Campus Alerts text messages immediately?

Our initial test indicated that most subscribers received the Campus Alerts test  message within 5 minutes. Please note that emergency text messaging at UMass Amherst is offered on a best-effort basis. This means that the University cannot guarantee that text messages will be sent during every emergency or that all subscribers will receive these messages.

How will the university use my cell phone number?

Subscribers' cell phones will remain confidential and will be used only for emergency notifications by UMass Amherst. The data will NOT be used for marketing purposes or other non-emergency communications.

Does the service cost anything to use?

Subscribing to emergency text messages is free. However, your cell phone carrier may charge you to receive text messages. Please check with your phone company for details.

What should I do when I receive a Campus Alerts text message?

Campus Alerts messages will provide instructions about what you should do. If you are a student and are in class, tell your instructor about the message. Note: Please adhere to your instructors' policies about cell phone use.

Where can I get help with Campus Alerts text messages?

For technical questions, including how to subscribe to Campus Alerts text messages, contact the OIT Help Desk at (413) 545-9400 or submit a help request.

For general information about emergency communications, contact Ed Blaguszewski, public information officer for the Emergency Operations Center, at (413) 545-0444 or e-mail: edblag@admin.umass.edu.