IU activates text message emergency alerts

IU will activate the text messaging component of the IU-Notify emergency notification service Dec. 14, but many students have not taken advantage of the service. \n"I haven't signed up for it," said IU sophomore Tony Ranard. "I read about it, but I didn't get the sign up thing, and I didn't think it would be a big deal." \nWhile some students agree the service is a good idea, they have not taken the time to register for it. Mark S. Bruhn, associate vice president for information and infrastructure assurance, said cell phones are the fastest way for IU to notify students in an emergency. He encourages all IU students to update their contact information on onestart so they can be part of the system. \nApproximately 2,600 students have registered for the text messaging component, Bruhn said. Those students will receive a confirmation message within 24 hours of the system's activation. The number 23177 will show up in the "from" box on the recipient's cell phone, according to an e-mail Bruhn sent to students who have registered for the service. The message will read, "IU NOTIFY: You are now confirmed to receive alerts from us. More info text reply 'HELP' or 'STOP IU' to opt-out," according to the e-mail. Students who receive this message will then be able to receive any critical notifications from IU through text messages, according to the e-mail. \n"It is important students understand where the message is coming from and do not ignore it," Bruhn said.\nStephanie Lanyi, a senior, said schools have an obligation to keep their students informed of dangerous situations. She said utilizing cell phones to do this is a good idea because other means of communication, such as e-mail, are not fast enough. She is not currently signed up for the service, but said she would if she knew how to do it. \n"If I knew how to access it the system, I would sign up because personally I would want to know if something is happening," Lanyi said. \nStudents register for the service by providing a cell phone and text message number to the University, Bruhn said. Each student had the option to list those numbers when they first came to IU. Students can still register for the service by updating their contact information on OneStart. Once students log on to OneStart, they can click on the notifications tab and then the click on the "add student contact info" link to the left of their screen, Bruhn said. Students can add a cell phone number and a text number, which is the same number in most cases, Bruhn said. Only those students who filled in the text number will receive the confirmation message today, Bruhn said. Anyone who updates their contact information on OneStart will receive the service. \n"It's important students add this information because that is going to be the best way to reach them in the event of an emergency," Bruhn said.