Campus Introduces ‘UMB Alerts’ System

System makes emergency alerts available via cell phones, e-mail, and text message system

By Jeffrey Raymond
September 18, 2007

Security on campus is on everyone’s mind. Now it can be on everyone’s cell phone and e-mail inbox.

The $40,000, Web-based system known as “UMB Alerts” goes into effect Sept. 12. It will quickly notify users in the event of an emergency situation that affects the campus, and give them directions to obtain further information. Users can also use it to learn of weather-related campus announcements.

Students, faculty, and staff are expected to be the main users of the service, though anyone can log in and sign up if they so choose. That means alumni, parents, even nearby residents and employees can utilize the service. There is no charge to sign up for and use the service, though cell phone service providers may add a nominal charge for delivering the text message.

The service can be accessed at http://www.alert.umaryland.edu. This site should not be confused with the www.umaryland.edu/alerts, which is used by university officials to convey important information about emergencies and weather-related announcements.

Officials at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) chose to offer the UMB Alerts system shortly after the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech last spring. “People are much more aware of the importance of getting information out quickly,” said Robert Rowan, MS, assistant vice president for Facilities Management and head of the UMB Emergency Management Team (EMT).

Members of the EMT, as well as Alerts system managers for each of the seven schools at UMB, have been trained in how to run the system. While the schools are free to use the system to send a variety of messages, Rowan said notices from the EMT will be sent only in the case of emergencies that potentially affect the entire campus. The notices, especially those that go to cell phones as text messages, will give basic details and instructions on how to find further information.

“We intend to use this only to alert people when there is a threat to them,” said Rowan. Weather-related campus announcements also will be offered through the service.

When users register at alert.maryland.edu, they can have messages sent to two e-mail accounts and two wireless devices, including cell phones with SMS/text messaging capabilities. That way there is some redundancy for each user. Also, users can test the system by logging on to the service and clicking a button to send a test message.

The university has a variety of ways of sharing information about campus emergencies, from e-mail and Web site announcements to fire wardens, security officers, and shelter-in-place coordinators in campus buildings, and Rowan said UMB will continue to use multiple channels to share information.

“None of them are foolproof, but the more of them you use, the more likely you are of getting [the messages] out promptly,” he said. “We never try to rely on any one means of communication.”