Update Your Emergency Contact Information
Will You Get the Message?
October 15, 2007
Dear University at Albany Student:
The tragedy at Virginia Tech last spring has focused with even greater intensity our efforts to assess the University’s emergency communications capabilities. In recent months, UAlbany has been working closely with the State Office of Emergency Management (SEMO) and SUNY System Administration on a project called SUNY NY Alert. SUNY NY Alert is system that enables us to send out critical emergency information about our campus which we can disseminate concurrently through email, phone and text messaging.
As of this date, the SUNY NY Alert system contains the names and UAlbany email addresses of all registered UAlbany students. We NEED YOUR HELP, however, to update your current phone information. We strongly encourage you to sign on to MyUAlbany and click on SUNY NY Alert Emergency Contact Info in order to provide your email and/or cell phone information. You are also able to provide a phone number to receive a text message, but you must provide your appropriate cell provider and understand that any applicable charges for text messages will apply. You should realize that, when literally thousands of email, voice and text messages are being sent to the entire campus population, text messaging is actually the LEAST reliable way to receive information. Please note that if you live in residence, you should not enter the number for the “red” campus provided phone.
The SUNY NY Alert system is just one more tool that can assist us with getting the word out quickly regarding critical incident information. This alert system will complement methods we already use, including broadcast emails, alerts on the UAlbany homepage, person-to-person contact, bulletin board postings and local media outreach. The SUNY NY Alert system will be used in critical emergencies. An example might include an imminent threat to the safety and security of the members of our community. It will also be used in the case of severe weather when classes need to be cancelled.
SUNY NY Alert is a secure databank and the information contained in this databank will not be provided or otherwise disclosed except as necessary to respond to an emergency. Remember however, that all alert systems are only as good as the information you provide. Please type your information carefully and double check it before submitting.
The University at Albany takes matters of safety and security very seriously and this is one more tool to help insure that we are doing everything possible to alert you in a timely manner when a serious emergency occurs. For more information on SUNY NY Alert, please go to www.albany.edu/sunynyalert.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
James A. Anderson, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Success
