Collegiate Times

Since its introduction to campus in 2007, the Virginia Tech Alerts system has continued to learn and modify itself.

The most recent test of VT Alerts on Sept. 30 was similar to previous tests of the system.

The goal of these tests is not only to check the system’s effectiveness but to also provide the community with additional information regarding VT Alerts, according to Mike Mulhare, director of emergency
services.

“We want the Virginia Tech community to be aware of what VT Alerts is about,” Mulhare said.

University spokesman Mark Owczarski believes the educational component of VT Alerts is an essential part of the testing process.

He said the alerts test familiarize students, faculty and staff with the system and provide information of what to do in an actual emergency. 

“We want to make sure that the student body, faculty and staff know what to do in the case of an emergency,” Owczarski said.

Tests are completed once every semester by Tech Police, the Office of University Relations and the Office of Emergency Management. About 40 people are necessary to complete one test.

All components of the system are tested, from desktop alerts to voicemail messages. 

While university-wide tests are done once a semester, smaller scale tests are done multiple times each day, Mulhare said.

“(VT Alerts) is continually being tested to ensure a state of readiness,” he said.

VT Alerts has matured since its instatement in 2007.

In fall 2006, Tech released a request for proposal for an alert messaging system that would “utilize the emergence of text messages and cell phones,” Owczarski said.

In spring 2007, the university purchased a multi-platform product from Everbridge. Desktop alerts were not added until 2009.

Over the past two years, signs with LED displays that can show alert messages were added to 400 classrooms across campus. 

VT Alerts currently sends messages through text messages, telephone calls, voicemail messages, desktop alerts, outdoor sirens, public address, the VT hotline and the university’s homepage.

All alerts include information about the nature of the incident, location and actions to be taken.

“The great thing about desktop alerts is that anybody can go to the site and download the widget,” Mulhare said.

The availability of the desktop alerts platform allows Blacksburg residents, family members and other interested parties access to the alert system.

According to Owczarski, the university has also built in redundancy to make sure the messages reach students, faculty and staff regardless of their location.

Owczarski said during a time when students may not have access to their phones or computers in class, they would still receive the message via classroom LED signs.

In addition, all systems are now integrated. Therefore, one message can be sent out through all platforms. This makes the system easier for those in charge of sending alerts and quicker for those receiving them, Owczarski said.

The goal of VT Alerts is to keep the community safe, most often by alerting them of adverse weather conditions, Mulhare
said.

“Most of the time, the alerts aren’t of a criminal nature,” said Tech Police Lt. Deborah Morgan.

One notable alert, sent out in fall 2008, warned of shots fired near Pritchard Hall. This was a false alarm, Morgan said. Students were detonating a nail gun cartridge, and construction from the basketball practice facility added to the noise. 

Another situation in spring 2010 brought attention to a problem with the system.

Before seniors graduates, they are asked to unsubscribe to VT Alerts. However, this year’s commencement exercises had to be altered because of bad weather, and a VT Alert was sent out about these changes. Some seniors had already unsubscribed from the service and did not receive the alert. Mulhare said in following years, students would not be asked to unsubscribe until after commencement. 

Word of mouth played an important role in spring 2010. Owczarski and Mulhare both placed emphasis on sharing information received through VT Alerts.

“It is important to talk to each other and to help each other stay safe and maintain a safe environment,” Owczarski said.

A version of this article appeared in the Oct 22 issue of the Collegiate Times.