The campus will conduct a test the CU Boulder Alerts system on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at noon to raise awareness of how the campus community will be notified in case of a campus emergency. The test will include text messages, emails, social media, desktop alerts and website announcements. Annual testing of emergency notification systems is required by the Clery Act, a federal law.
“The CU Boulder Alerts system is our most effective means of communicating key safety messages to the campus community,” said Stuart Pike, CU Boulder emergency management director. “It’s important for students, faculty and staff to be aware of this critical messaging platform.”
Active CU Boulder student email addresses (@colorado.edu) are automatically registered and the university encourages students to add mobile phone numbers in order to receive text notifications as well. Faculty, staff or affiliates of the CU Boulder community with an @colorado.edu (or cufund.org, or cu.edu) e-mail address are encouraged to register on a voluntary basis.
If an emergency involves a threat to personal safety or a campus closure, a campus alert will be sent using one or all of the communication methods available. Text messaging is the backbone of the system as it reaches the most individuals in the least amount of time.
During an emergency that affects the campus, critical updates, additional details, and any necessary instructions regarding the nature of the emergency will be posted at http://alerts.colorado.edu, university social media sites, and on the campus Emergency Information Line at 303-492-4636 (303-492-INFO).
Details on the decision process for determining a closure, how administrative leave should be handled for essential personnel and other employees, and answers to questions that frequently arise are covered in “Campus Closing Procedures During Emergencies” located at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/campus-closing-procedures-during-emergencies.
If you have questions regarding emergency management at CU-Boulder please visit the CU-Boulder Office of Emergency Management website or email the team at emergency.management@colorado.edu.
Any user who expected to receive an alert and didn’t, or who needs help signing up for the system, should call the IT Service Center at 303-735-HELP or email help@colorado.edu.
