MU Emergency Notification Messaging System (MU Alert) Frequently Asked Questions

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1 MU Emergency Notification Messaging System (MU Alert) Frequently Asked Questions WHAT IS THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY EMERGENCY MESSAGING SYSTEM (MU ALERT)? Marshall University Emergency Messaging System (MU Alert) is one of several elements of the Marshall University Emergency Notification System. The MU Alert system allows Marshall University to quickly communicate health and safety-related emergency information through a combination of various communication methods. In the event that information needs to be communicated to students and staff immediately, Marshall University will use several information delivery methods to make sure the pertinent information reaches you. MU Alert will be used solely for the purpose of alerting the Marshall University community in an emergency. These emergency notices can be delivered via phone calls, text messages to mobile devices, and . All students, faculty, and staff can manage their own contact information and choose the contact methods that they prefer. Please note that emergency notifications will be limited to those concerning health and safety concerns for Marshall University students, faculty, or staff; or disruption of normal university functions due to weather, crime, or other concerns. These notices are also limited to situations or events within the boundaries of one of Marshall University s campuses or centers. If an emergency occurs, emergency management personnel, in consultation with senior university management, will determine the need for an MU Alert message. The Emergency Notification System will communicate and dispense important information for: situations threatening the safety and security of our campuses campus closings due to emergency situations threatening the safety and security of our campuses, including inclement weather class cancellations due to inclement weather WHAT IS BLACKBOARD CONNECT? Marshall University has contracted with an outside vendor to establish a way for students, faculty and staff members to provide multiple contact methods for use in emergency notifications. These notices will be broadcast by text messaging, voice mail, , Facebook and Twitter. Blackboard Connect is the provider of the Marshall University mass notification system. Blackboard Connect is a global provider and one of the leaders in mass notification systems.

2 WHAT IS SMS MESSAGING? SMS is an acronym for Short Message Service, a system for sending short text messages to devices such as cellular phones. Also known as text messaging, SMS messaging is a fast, robust, and reliable means of communicating information quickly. SMS messaging puts less load on cellular circuits than voice communication, and allows near-instantaneous dissemination of important information. WILL THIS COST ME ANYTHING? Depending upon your wireless service provider and your wireless plan, you may be charged a fee for receiving Short Message Service (SMS) text messages. If you have an unlimited text messaging plan, there is no additional charge. WILL I RECEIVE UNSOLICITED MESSAGES ("SPAM") ON MY MOBILE PHONE OR ACCOUNT? No. You will only receive messages that you signed up to receive. HOW WILL I RECEIVE MU ALERT MESSAGES? You will receive MU Alert messages using the following possible contact methods: Message to your cell phone Text message to your cell phone to your Marshall University to your Personal Call to your Home Phone HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY TEXT MESSAGING SYSTEM? Students, faculty, staff, affiliates, etc. can sign up through mymu by following the path listed below: Log onto: using your MUNET username and password. You will see a page shown below:

3 Locate MU Alert icon in the LaunchPad on the left side bar of the page. Click on the MU Alert icon:

4 You will be taken to the User Agreement page. Read the user agreement and click Accept button to begin entering your contact information: addresses, mobile and SMS numbers. Finish the registration by clicking Save button. User Agreement Page: Contact Information Page:

5 HOW DO I UPDATE MY CONTACT INFORMATION? Log onto: using your MUNET username and password. Click on the MU Alert icon. Follow the instruction provided in the previous answer to update your contact information. If you would like to remove your contact information click on the UNSUBSCRIBE button locatated at the bottom of the Contact Information page. DO I NEED TO INSTALL SOFTWARE ON MY PHONE? No. This service uses industry standard SMS text messaging to send messages to your phone. Your mobile phone plan will need to be able to accept text messages to work properly. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE EMERGENCY MESSAGING SYSTEM? Any questions, comments, and/or concerns about the Marshall Emergency Notification System, please ucomm@marshall.edu. CAN MY PARENTS / SPOUSE / ETC. SIGN UP FOR THE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM? At the present time, only current MU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates may participate in the MU Alert Emergency Notification System. However, anyone who has Facebook or Twitter account can receive notification via social media feed. Social media notification feed is the recent addition to the MU Alert system that allows reaching out to our local communities and parents without having to create additional contacts. To keep up with emergency notifications simply: Follow Marshall University on Twitter: or Become a Facebook Fan: The message sender will appear as follows: HOW WILL I KNOW THE MESSAGE IS FROM MU ALERT? For a phone call: (304) For an emerg-txt@marshall.edu

6 WHAT MIGHT AN MU ALERT MESSAGE SAY? In an actual emergency, here are a few sample messages you may receive via text message, voice message, or ACT OF VIOLENCE REPORTED on the Marshall University (campus location) campus. Campus closed. Go/remain indoors, lock all doors/windows, stay away from windows, do not open locked doors for anyone. Await further messages. A BOMB THREAT has been reported at the (building name), on the Marshall University (location name) campus. Check your work area for suspicious items-report any found, and EVACUATE to the assembly area. Await additional info. There is a POLICE EMERGENCY on the Marshall University (campus location) campus. (Campus location) campus is closed. Go or remain indoors and await further information. How long is my emergency notification information kept? What happens to this information when I leave the university? Faculty and staff information will be deleted upon separation from the University, unless an affiliate status is established. Student information is deleted one year from the end of the last term of enrollment. If MU elects to end the relationship with the vendor, all information will be securely deleted from Blackboard Connect system. DO I HAVE TO CONFIRM RECEIPT OF THE MESSAGE? WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T? Though receipt confirmation is not required, it is preferable for you to do so if at all possible if you are asked to do so. When you confirm that you have received the message, you free up system resources to contact other members of the University community who may not have gotten the message yet. In an emergency, this will save valuable time and, possibly, lives. WILL I RECEIVE DUPLICATE MU ALERT MESSAGES? You may receive duplicate messages if you do not confirm receipt of the message. The system will cycle through your contact paths 3 times. Once you confirm receipt of the message or after it cycles through your contact paths 3 times, the MU Alert system will cease trying to contact you for that message broadcast. WILL MARSHALL UNIVERSITY BE TESTING THE MU ALERT SYSTEM? Yes. Marshall University will test the MU Alert system at least once per semester. The campus community will be notified in advance when a test of the system is scheduled to take place.

7 WILL MY INFORMATION BE KEPT PRIVATE? Marshall University is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information provided to the campus by faculty, staff, and students. Therefore, all the data provided to MU Alert as part of the campus Emergency Notification System will be stored in secure electronic systems located within the campus data center. ATTENTION OF SIP AND GOOGLE VOICE CUSTOMERS NOTE: SIP and Google Voice are not supported for mobile messaging. Please provide your real cellular number.