Campus incident tests alert system
November 13, 2008
Thursday's incident at Pritchard Hall did not turn out to be a threat, but it did serve as a very real test of the university's new VT Alerts system.
VT Alerts
VT Alerts is Virginia Tech’s system of emergency notifications sent to subscribing students and faculty. It is maintained by the Office of University Relations. The system was put into place following the April 16, 2007 shootings and criticism that on-campus residents were not notified quickly enough of the danger.
By default, the system utilizes the university Web site, Tech e-mail accounts, electronic messaging boards in classrooms, campus sirens and loudspeakers, and a weather/emergency hotline at 540-231-6888 to broadcast messages.
Additionally, students can sign up for VT Phone Alerts for notifications through phone and text messages, as well as download VT Desktop Alerts ― a software widget available for Windows- and Mac-based systems that broadcasts online notifications to users’ computers.
Content on VT Alerts:
University assessment claims successful alerts test
October 20, 2008
An assessment from Virginia Tech administration officials asserts an Oct. 8 test of the school's emergency notification system was a successful one. The test, coordinated by University Relations, was the first for the system of the semester.