UMass Amherst’s New Emergency Text-Messaging System Up and Running; Sign-Up Campaign Continues

April 28, 2008

Contact:

Ed Blaguszewski 413/545-0444

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst reports that the recent wide-scale test of its emergency text-messaging system was successful. The new service is now in operation and available for use during an actual emergency.

John Dubach, chief information officer, said that on April 17 the campus service provider, Connect-ED, transmitted messages to 6,574 subscribers, and the company reports that 6,570 had valid cell phone numbers. In addition, subscribers responded to an online survey about delivery time. The Office of Information Technologies (OIT) reported that of the 1,175 respondents, 96 percent said they received the message within four minutes of its transmission. A total of 28 people reported not receiving the message; nearly half of them are subscribers to one particular cell phone company.

Dubach says OIT believes the test validates the effectiveness of the system, but that OIT will continue to assess transmission results. As part of UMass Amherst’s Campus Alerts system, the text-messaging service transmits time-sensitive messages to subscribers’ cell phones about situations that pose an immediate risk to the safety of the community or could significantly disrupt campus activities. The campus notes that emergency text messaging is offered on a best-effort basis, and that it cannot guarantee that all subscribers will receive the messages.

The campus is continuing its push for students, faculty and staff to sign up for emergency text messaging. To register, visit www.umass.edu/campusalerts, where registration instructions and frequently asked questions can be found.

During a typical business day, UMass Amherst has more than 30,000 people on campus and administrators can use a variety of methods through its Campus Alerts system to notify people of an emergency. In addition to text messaging, these measures feature technologies such as broadcast e-mail, Web site messages, fire alarms and an emergency-closing telephone hot line. In addition, messages can be sent to key personnel, who then personally spread the word to building occupants. The UMass Police, one of the largest police forces in western Massachusetts with 62 officers, are well trained in emergency response and are on duty around the clock.

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