DELAWARE, OHIO --[EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION NEWS] -- October 24, 2007 -- Ohio Wesleyan University reported today that this week it began implementing an emergency contact system that will allow the campus community to be notified of urgent situations via the telephone, e-mail, and text-message systems of their choice.
"Safety is a priority for college campus nationwide, including Ohio Wesleyan," said David Robbins, provost and interim president, on the Ohio Wesleyan University News & Media Web site. "This new contact system will enhance our efforts to keep students, faculty, and staff informed of critical situations and out of harm’s way."
Called “Connect-ED for Higher Education," the emergency contact system is offered by The NTI Group, Inc. of Sherman Oaks, California.
"This project is on the fast track," Theresa Byrd, OWU’s chief information officer and director of libraries was reported as stating, "We have appointed an implementation committee to keep the process moving forward as quickly and efficiently as possible."
"Once contact information has been input into the Connect-ED system, Ohio Wesleyan will test it, make any necessary adjustments, and then begin using it," Byrd said, "The goal is to have the system in place by the beginning of spring semester."
OWU also reported that Professor Barbara MacLeod, chair of the implementation committee, said, "The campus community needs to make providing contact information a priority to help enhance safety and ensure a timely implementation process. This initiative will strengthen the University and help to protect everyone who learns and works here. I encourage everyone to return information to us as quickly as possible.”
Additionally, the school reported that the data, which remain under the control of Ohio Wesleyan, will not be used by NTI for any purpose other than emergency notification and will be treated in a highly confidential manner. Notifications will include critical weather information, such as tornado warnings or snow-related campus closures.
“Connect-ED will be used to provide urgent information and instructions only,” Byrd was reported as saying. “We want people to know that when they receive a voice or text message via Connect-ED, it is vital for them to access it and respond.”
Source: OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY News & Media Web site
Ohio Wesleyan University Selects Connect-ED® for Campus Emergency Notification
