University News

Western to Launch Emergency Notification System

December 6, 2007

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- To keep the Western Illinois University campus communities informed in the event of an emergency, Western has established the WIU Emergency Alert System (WEAS). The first test of the system's phone, text, and e-mail messaging capabilities will be held Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.

The system, which is contracted by The NTI Group, Inc. through its Connect-ED software, will notify WIU students, faculty, staff and visitors at both the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses of emergency situations (severe weather, serious threats to safety, etc.) via phone and text messages and e-mails. Western's University Information Management Systems (UIMS) department has provided NTI with phone numbers and WIU e-mail addresses that currently exist in personnel and student files; however, students, faculty, staff and visitors are strongly encouraged to enter their emergency contact information at www.wiu.edu/alertsystem and click on "Sign Up" located on the sidebar at the left side of the screen. Users will be asked to enter their University ID and their WIU e-mail address to access their emergency contact file.

"The system will allow us to be better prepared for potential emergency situations," said WIU President Al Goldfarb. "We recognize the important role that immediate communication plays in safety. The new emergency alert system will allow us to keep campus communities informed."

To ensure timely implementation of the emergency alert system, individuals are asked to enter contact numbers (home, office and/or cell phone) and e-mail addresses on the temporary online screen provided by NTI. For a more permanent data collection solution, the UIMS department is designing an emergency contact update screen which will be implemented within the next few months. At this time, the University will only activate the system for emergency purposes; the system may be expanded in the future to include surveying and pertinent University information.

"It's crucial that we are able to notify individuals on both our Macomb and Quad Cities campuses immediately in emergency situations as up-to-date communication helps minimize the spread of misinformation, restore order and provide direction," Vice President for Administrative Services Jackie Thompson added.

For more information on the WIU Emergency Alert System, contact the Office of the Vice President for Administrative Services at 309/298-1800 or VPAS@wiu.edu. More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, and a link to the contact update screen is also available at www.wiu.edu/ops.



Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing