MU Txts 2 Up SafeT 4 All

MU’s text message alert system will soon be upgraded to maintain a safe school community.

MU’s Campus Safety and Information Technology Departments will change the text alert system from the current Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS) to a new system called Alert MU. Both provide the same features and meet the same goal: send alerts to cell phones in case of emergency.

The Alert MU system also allows students, faculty members and staff to receive alerts for emergency issues, evacuations, lockdowns, weather related issues, compressed scheduling and school cancellations, and alerts can be sent to multiple cell phones per user.

“I think it is a good move to get the new system because it keeps the campus that much safer in case of an emergency,” said Junior Ed Carey.

Sophomore Nick De Angelo says the system is also a timesaver. “The text message system is good because it lets you know when school is closed, and you don’t have to check your computer.”

The old service proved to not work as well as expected. The system was upgraded when officials realized that users weren’t alerted to a weather-related issue last year. Paul Murphy, Director of Campus Safety and Facilities, says the new system is faster.

“Alert MU is working very well. We had one test run and within seconds I received an email and text message immediately. It is very impressive.”

Within the first week of the launch of Alert MU, 250 people had signed up. The sooner people sign up, the faster WENS will be permanently removed from the MU campus, officials say. The new system must reach the same number as the WENS system, which is 1,600.

Everyone who has registered for WENS must repeat the process and sign up for Alert MU. To register visit http://alertmu.misericordia.edu.

There is no fee, but cell phone providers might charge depending upon the plan.

“We encourage all students to sign up for the new system,” said Murphy

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