NAU today announced a new emergency text notification system that sends urgent text messages to students, faculty, staff and even family members. NAU is partnering with Omnilert, LLC. and using its service e2Campus to create NAU Alert, a mass notification system to send text messages to cell phones in case of an emergency, including weather-related closures. The service is free and voluntary, but users must register to receive NAU Alert. They also can add an additional phone number as well, so that a family member or friend receives notification of an emergency. "NAU prides itself on its great safety record, and we are doing all we can to keep it that way," Fowler said. Currently NAU uses computer pop-ups, e-mail, web pages and the NAU Now Line (928-523-0007) to inform individuals of weather alerts or other emergencies. The university also works with local media to spread messages. "NAU Alert is a great new tool we can use to get critical message sent out to students, parents, staff and faculty" said Fred Estrella, NAU chief information technology officer. "It will be another method we use to communicate effectively during an emergency situation." Only emergency or other urgent messages will be sent via NAU Alert, and the system will not be used to distribute advertising or other unsolicited content. Though the system is free, subscribers may have to pay fees associated with their text messaging service. Source:
Flagstaff, Ariz. --[EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION NEWS]-- August 30, 2007 - Students at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and their families have a new and fast way to learn about campus emergencies.
"The public safety partnership here at Northern Arizona University between the students, faculty, staff and the NAUPD will benefit tremendously from the improved communication created by the NAU Alert program," said NAU Police Department Chief GT Fowler. 
Thomas Bauer
NAU Office of Public Affairs
(928) 523-6126
Thomas.Bauer@nau.edu
Northern Arizona University NAU improves emergency notification system
