KU to test emergency alert systems Sept. 17

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will test its emergency text message and public address systems at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Students, who are now automatically signed up for text messages, along with faculty and staff who have signed up for text alerts, will receive a message stating, "THIS IS A TEST of the KU Alert text messaging system for situations of imminent danger on campus. This is only a TEST."

A public address system is also part of the comprehensive emergency notification system at KU. During the test, a 3-second alert tone will sound, followed by the test message. Building occupants should continue with normal activities during the tests.

Speakers for the public address system have been installed in and around 82 buildings, reaching 98 percent of KU's academic areas. The buildings comprise the highest concentration of students, faculty and staff.

The public address system allows emergency dispatchers in the 911 center to provide real-time voice messages to an individual building, a group of buildings or to all equipped buildings.

In the case of inclement weather, the test will be rescheduled to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Facets of the university's multitiered emergency notification strategy include the following:

• Text message alerts: For students, the text message system is “opt-out,” meaning student cell phone numbers are automatically subscribed to this system unless the student unsubscribes. Faculty and staff can sign up online.
• Email alerts: The university's emergency broadcast email system can reach about 33,000 KU e-mail accounts.
• Webpage alerts: The university will use the alerts page as a centralized location for information updates.
• The university has established protocols to use local media to help inform the public in the event of an ongoing crisis.
• Workshops: The university hosts various workshops and events related to campus safety. The next such workshop is Tuesday, Sept. 16, when KU Public Safety will host a workshop titled “Active Shooter – Prevention, Reaction and Response” from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Alderson Room in the Kansas Union.

The university also maintains the 864-SNOW hotline that is activated if bad weather forces the delay or cancellation of classes or the closure of campus.