Security tests alert messaging system

Home Campus Security tests alert messaging system
Security tests alert messaging system
Sophomore Mason Clutter locks the door. Natalie Meckel | Collegian
Sophomore Mason Clutter locks the door. Natalie Meckel | Collegian

Hillsdale College’s campus security office sent a mass alert to students and faculty to test its outreach notification system Nov. 4.

Although the system has been in place for several years, security routinely tests it to ensure that it is functioning properly.

“I’m continually seeking to improve the college’s mass alert system,” Director of Campus Security Bill Whorley said.

The system sends an alert by email to college email addresses and text messages and automated phone calls to primary and secondary numbers on student registration forms.

Hillsdale has two different alerts: outreach and emergency. Security sends outreach alerts to students and faculty for situations concerning campus activity such as weather disrupting class. Emergency alerts are for urgent or critical situations and are sent to the student body, faculty, emergency personnel, and all numbers on student registration forms.

Hillsdale College’s information technology services transcribes all student phone numbers and email addresses from registration forms into the system. Whorley can then send emergency and outreach alerts from anywhere he has service.

The text alert system, however, is only one aspect of campus security’s notification system.

Speakers in the top of Central Hall can broadcast information in the instance of an emergency, and alerts can also be posted on the college’s social media pages and website.

Whorley said security is also working with Hillsdale’s media department and the college’s security systems contractor, SimplexGrinnell, to broadcast security alerts displayed on television monitors in campus buildings.

Additionally, on Hillsdale College’s version of the Ellucian Go smartphone app, students can find contact information for campus security, the city police department, Michigan State Police, and other law enforcement and emergency response agencies.