What is PURPLE ALERT?
PURPLE ALERT is a rapid notification system. At its core, PURPLE ALERT is a multi-part communications process for disseminating alerts to NSU students, faculty and staff. PURPLE ALERTS are distributed through a company called Firstcall. Registration for PURPLE ALERTS will take place directly through a Firstcall supported website.
Instructions to Register for Purple Alert
Instructions to Update Your Existing Information with Purple Alert
What is an Emergency?
An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to the
health and safety of the campus community.
What is PURPLE ALERT?
PURPLE ALERT is a rapid notification system. At its core, PURPLE
ALERT is a multi-part communications process for disseminating
alerts to NSU students, faculty and staff. PURPLE ALERTS are
distributed through a company called Firstcall. Registration for
PURPLE ALERTS will take place directly through a Firstcall supported
website.
Why should I provide my emergency contact information?
Having information enables you to make choices regarding your
personal safety. Providing your cell phone and other contact
information ensures that those with the latest information can
contact you quickly and easily.
Why should I sign up?
About 90 percent of today’s college students have cellular phones
and carry them wherever they go, as do many faculty and staff. We
hope we’ll never have to use this system, but in the event of an
emergency, this may be the fastest was to get information to you.
Am I required to sign up?
No. It is your option to sign-up. All Northwestern State University
landline phones are automatically entered into the system, and those
landlines will receive voice alerts.
Who receives the emergency alert messages?
Northwestern State University students, faculty, and staff that are
registered in the PURPLE ALERT system will be sent the alert. Also
secondary contacts as listed by students, faculty and staff.
Will I be charged for text messages?
Maybe. Depending on your cellular provider and the plan you have,
you may be charged a nominal fee (like ten or fifteen cents per
message) to receive messages on your phone. You will need to check
with your cellular provider.
Will my emergency contact information be published?
No, it is only to be used by NSU for notification of an emergency.
Who decides when a PURPLE ALERT message is to be sent?
University Police and key Administrative personnel have been specially trained to determine the circumstances in which the system is used and then initiate the process. The system is used for emergency situations in which there is an immediate risk to the health & safety of the campus community.
What happens when the PURPLE ALERT is activated?
When activated, PURPLE ALERT sends a brief notice about the situation and instructions of what to do. The message is sent via various mechanisms, including cell phone text message, cell phone voice call, landline phone call, and e-mail messages.
So what happens then?
Additional information will be made available to you via
University’s website, e-mail, phone, and campus radio and television
resources, among other means.
How do I know I’m receiving a PURPLE ALERT message? “PURPLE ALERT”
will be in the subject of an e-mail and will be vocalized in a phone
message.
Am I going to get inundated by messages from NSU?
No. Strict protocols are in place for use of the PURPLE ALERT
system. It will be activated ONLY in the instance of an Emergency in
which poses an immediate risk to the health and safety of the campus
community. It will also be tested occasionally.
Is my phone set up for text messaging?
If you’re not sure, check with your cellular provider. Standard SMS
text messaging protocol will be used to send messages to your phone.
Your cellular phone plan will need to accept text message to work
properly.
Where is the registration page?
The registration page is located on the NSU home page, and other NSU
websites. Look for the PURPLE ALERT logo. Click on the logo and
follow the instructions.
Can I change my phone numbers after I register?
Yes, after you register you will be sent an e-mail from FIRSTCALL
that contains a temporary password. You can click on the PURPLE
ALERT logo, and the click on “Update Existing Contact Information”.
This will allow you to change any information but your name and
e-mail address. You can change your password from the temporary
password to a permanent password. Then you will click “Update
Information” and your information will be current. It is the
responsibility of the registered used to update personal information
as it changes.
http://www.nsula.edu/news/emergen06.html
http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080306/NEWS01/80306026
http://www.kalb.com/index.php/news/article/nsu-text-messaging-system-debut/4413/