University of Richmond contracts for emergency alert system to begin Sept. 1
August 8, 2007
If an emergency strikes University of Richmond's campus, a new notification system operational Sept. 1 will quickly alert faculty, staff and students in a variety of ways.
The UR Alert System will send emergency messages by text message, e-mail and voice mail to an individual's computer and cell, work and home telephones. Students can have the messages sent to a local number, such as a dormitory room phone or off-campus residence, in addition to their cell phone.
Kathy Monday, the university's vice president for information systems, said "Members of the University community will receive instructions early in the semester on how to update their emergency contact information." Classes begin Aug. 27.
Returning students enrolled in credit programs received a letter in the spring from Steve Bisese, Richmond's vice president for student development, asking them to enter their emergency contact information through the university's intranet. He recently sent a similar letter to entering freshmen and transfers.
The University licensed NTI Group Inc.'s Connect-ED product to create the UR Alert System. NTI has data and call centers throughout the country, providing "redundant systems that eliminate a single point of failure," Monday said.
Connect-ED was built exclusively for higher education and enables colleges and universities to record, schedule, send and track thousands of messages in minutes. The university's designated "senders" can use a Web browser or a telephone to send messages immediately in emergency situations, said Monday.
"The new communications system, in concert with existing notification systems, will enhance the university's ability to communicate with the campus community in a timely manner should an emergency occur. The university will continue to evaluate available means of communicating with students, faculty and staff," said Bob Dillard, chief of university police.
Following last April's shootings at Virginia Tech, Richmond evaluated several mass notification products and determined NTI's service was best for the university, Monday said. "It provides message delivery tracking and comprehensive reporting that will allow us to assess the effectiveness of our communications. Overall, we believe it offered us the best value while providing us with a high level of service and support."