2008 Woodie Awards
Southern Miss begins preparations for Gustav
Bob Worth
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: News
As Tropical Storm Gustav makes its way through the Gulf of Mexico, students are being urged by the University Police Department and iTech to sign up for Eagle Alert. The free emergency notification system allows university safety officials to send messages to members of the campus community via e-mail, and if one so chooses, text and voice messaging.
The UPD will send out updates on Tropical Storm Gustav through the Eagle Alert System as information becomes available. Bob Hopkins, chief of University Police said the UPD will meet with the university's Emergency Response Team Friday.
"We'll use the Eagle Alert System as a way of sharing information," Bob Hopkins said. He added that the Eagle Alert System "lived up to expectations" during tropical storm Faye.
The text-messaging phase of the Eagle Alert System is complete, and work is currently being done to prioritize email alerts within the University system. Hopkins said that the Voice Notification System in campus buildings is nearing completion. The system has been installed in all residence halls, as well as high traffic areas such as the Thad Cochran Center and Cook Library, leaving only academic buildings to be completed.
"As people realize the importance of early notification, participation will go up," Hopkins said.
Brandi Simmons, a customer service specialist at iTech, said that student response to the system has been strong.
"We've had a lot of students sign up," Simmons said. "We encourage all students and faculty to sign up." She added that students can add their parent's phone numbers to the system as well.
Sophomore anthropology major Maeghan Dahlen, 23, of Hattiesburg, has not signed up for the alerts, but plans to.
"I'm going to sign up for information about the weather and anything about campus I need to know," Dahlen said.
The text-messaging phase of the Eagle Alert System is complete, and work is currently being done to prioritize email alerts within the University system. Hopkins said that the Voice Notification System in campus buildings is nearing completion. The system has been installed in all residence halls, as well as high traffic areas such as the Thad Cochran Center and Cook Library, leaving only academic buildings to be completed.
In addition to text and email alerts, students can find up-to-date information by following the updates link on the USM homepage. If students have problems signing up for the alerts, they should contact the iTech help desk at 266-4357.
The UPD will send out updates on Tropical Storm Gustav through the Eagle Alert System as information becomes available. Bob Hopkins, chief of University Police said the UPD will meet with the university's Emergency Response Team Friday.
"We'll use the Eagle Alert System as a way of sharing information," Bob Hopkins said. He added that the Eagle Alert System "lived up to expectations" during tropical storm Faye.
The text-messaging phase of the Eagle Alert System is complete, and work is currently being done to prioritize email alerts within the University system. Hopkins said that the Voice Notification System in campus buildings is nearing completion. The system has been installed in all residence halls, as well as high traffic areas such as the Thad Cochran Center and Cook Library, leaving only academic buildings to be completed.
"As people realize the importance of early notification, participation will go up," Hopkins said.
Brandi Simmons, a customer service specialist at iTech, said that student response to the system has been strong.
"We've had a lot of students sign up," Simmons said. "We encourage all students and faculty to sign up." She added that students can add their parent's phone numbers to the system as well.
Sophomore anthropology major Maeghan Dahlen, 23, of Hattiesburg, has not signed up for the alerts, but plans to.
"I'm going to sign up for information about the weather and anything about campus I need to know," Dahlen said.
The text-messaging phase of the Eagle Alert System is complete, and work is currently being done to prioritize email alerts within the University system. Hopkins said that the Voice Notification System in campus buildings is nearing completion. The system has been installed in all residence halls, as well as high traffic areas such as the Thad Cochran Center and Cook Library, leaving only academic buildings to be completed.
In addition to text and email alerts, students can find up-to-date information by following the updates link on the USM homepage. If students have problems signing up for the alerts, they should contact the iTech help desk at 266-4357.
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