When emergencies occur on campus, quick information and instructions are priorities, and some new features just added to the UO’s emergency alert system will make that easier.

The UO system now sends simultaneous text messages, emails and feeds to digital displays and social media channels when emergency situations pose threats to health and safety. But now the notification system is expanding to allow people to have alerts sent to more than one text number and to non-uoregon.edu email addresses.

“I have spoken with parents who would like to be included in the immediate notifications when messages are shared on campus, and we want to provide that service to parents, spouses, partners and others,” said Krista Dillon, director of emergency management and fire prevention.

Each member of the campus community will receive an email invitation this week explaining the new message options. Another new feature will allow people to get alerts tied to specific areas of campus. 

The extra text numbers or email addresses can be for another person, such as a parent or spouse, but they will be tied to the account of the student or employee who adds them. So when a student graduates or an employee retires or leaves the university, the alert information will expire from the notification system.

Location-based information is also being added to the notification system. A weather closure affecting UO in Portland only, a tsunami warning for the marine biology campus in Charleston, or a water shutoff in one building on the Eugene campus may warrant messages to part of campus only. Individuals can choose to get alerts for geographic zones based on where they spend time. 

“We’re planning for scenarios that might impact campus, and it is a two-way street that is best when everyone is involved,” Dillon said.

Every student, faculty and staff member currently affiliated with the university is part of the email notification system. Text message notification is an opt-in feature that can be added via DuckWeb. 

Because DuckWeb is a frequent stop for most students and employees, participation in the opt-in system is now 82 percent.

“Compared with other universities that also have opt-in systems, our rate is very strong,” Dillon said. In part, she credits the high opt-in rate to regular testing of the system and ease of registration.

More information at: http://emc.uoregon.edu/content/sign-uo-alert.