Staff, faculty must update contact information
A new emergency notification system will use voice messages and text messages to notify ACC staff, faculty, and students of a college emergency.
The new system will be used in conjunction with the recently installed emergency message boards. This new system will send a voice message and text message to the phones listed for the employee in the ACCeID system. To ensure all staff and faculty receive notification during a college emergency, all employees must update this information online. Log into the ACC Online Services, click the Change Employee Information link, and add your numbers to the “in case of a College emergency only” section.
This system will also be used to provide emergency notifications to students. That phase will be completed by mid-November when students begin registering for the 2009 spring semester. They, too, will receive email, phone message, and text messaging notifications in the event of a college emergency. Students will soon be directed to access Online Services to update their contact information.
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By Dawn Leach October 30, 2008 - 12:28 pm
This is great. I am delighted that we have this system in place at ACC now. As a supervisor I will make sure that all my employees are aware of this. A link to ACC online services in the above announcement would be helpful.
Dawn
By Sally October 30, 2008 - 3:16 pm
This is not a great idea because what if someone does not have a text messaging plan on there phone. This does not consider those that do not understand the technology and those that are on a budget. Nothing should be imposed upon students, staff or faculty.
By Jane November 7, 2008 - 11:09 am
I clicked on ACC Online Service to update my phone number, and it took me to an opening menu. The current click instructions will probably will result in a 5% completion rate.
Why not have a direct link to whatever needs editing? If it is necessary to put in a password at an opening menu, at least give a pathname or icon to look for AFTER logging in.
I’m continually amazed about how difficult it is to find the place for simple procedures–such as looking up office hours or updating them–on the austincc.edu website.
By Somebody Who Doesn't Want Their Name Posted Online November 14, 2008 - 6:26 pm
This is a great idea (just in general for everyone as well as for making this kind of important information accessible to anyone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing). The only thing is, it would need to be an optional field for text messaging people’s cellphones because not every cellphone plan can receive free text messages or free calls. On the other hand, I’m sure there would be quite a few people who would sign up for it despite that for the reason that an emergency is an emergency and therefore better to play it safe. Communicating information in the case of an emergency really is very important!
🙂
By Thao November 17, 2008 - 9:20 am
I don’t think it is a great idea. When I enter the school’s door, I turn my cell phone off immediately. The emergency message would not get to me until I leave the school. Would it be too late? 🙂
By Mike November 25, 2008 - 5:12 pm
I think it’s great that so many schools are installing emergency notification systems like this. Thao, you’re right in that an emergency notification service that calls, texts, and emails students is only one part of the overall picture that an organization should have in order to contact the most people possible during an emergency.
By yemek tarifleri December 1, 2008 - 11:24 am
Great article, really useful!
By Helene R Schmidt August 3, 2009 - 9:28 pm
I do not have or want a cell phone.
THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN A CELL PHONE THAT RINGS DURING AN EXAM!
We have to try harder these days and in my major, the GPA is VITAL!
I don’t want anything to do with a cell phone ESPECIALLY while I am in class!
If you do, that’s cool.
By Nick October 30, 2009 - 9:07 am
Great post. I totally agree with you.