YSU Alert

The text–messaging and e–mail system is the latest in a series of communications tools implemented by YSU to help communicate better and quicker with students and employees in the event of a campus emergency or crisis.

"This new alert system is one more step to help provide a safe learning environment for all students and staff at YSU," said Cynthia Anderson, vice president for student affairs. "This system will enable us to communicate to students, parents and employees in a timely manner during emergency situations."

A university committee, led by Jack Fahey, executive director of student services, selected Inspiron Logistics Corp.'s Wireless Emergency Notification System to provide the instant text–messaging and e–mail capabilities. The WENS platform enables university officials to instantly communicate directly with mobile devices via text–messaging. WENS can notify up to 30,000 individuals per minute.

Students, parents, faculty and staff are encouraged to register for YSU Alert at http://alert.ysu.edu. You must register to take advantage of this important notification service. The Web site also includes answers to several frequently asked questions about the system

YSU Alert is one of several tools at YSU's disposal to communicate to students and employees in the event of an emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, any or all of these tools will be activated. Students and employees should be familiar with each of these tools so they can seek out the most up to date information if an emergency on campus should occur. In addition to YSU Alert, other communications tools are:

•  Campus–wide mass communications and alarm system, allows YSU to broadcast emergency announcements targeted to specific buildings from one central location.

• YSU homepage, www.ysu.edu, will provide up to date information in the case of an emergency.
  

• Emergency Information Line (330–941–2222) will include updated information related to campus emergency situations.
  

•  MyYSU portal. Through the portal, the university will post ÒCampus AnnouncementsÓ and e–mails, providing faculty, staff, students and the entire campus community with updates in the event of an emergency.
  

• News media. The university has a detailed news media call list that would be activated in the event of an emergency.