Spring Break
Text message alert test successful second time around
Julie Stagis
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: News
The test of the text message alert system implemented Tuesday at 1:50 p.m. was much more successful than previous tests of the system, according to university officials.
Of the 3,397 individuals who reported their answers to the university's alert web site, 97 percent said they received the text alert within five minutes of the message's dissemination, according to Michael Kerntke, UConn chief information officer.
This is a vast improvement from the system test that occurred last March. After that test, The Daily Campus reported that 97 percent of responding students received the message by 3 p.m. - an hour after the message was sent out.
The system was tested Tuesday as part of contract negotiations with a new vendor. Kerntke said he could not name the company, as the contract has not yet been signed, but the success of the test indicates that UConn will be moving forward with the negotiations.
"We were very pleased with the results and we think we found someone who can help us communicate with people in a time of emergency," Kerntke said.
This was the first time the system was tested with this vendor.
"The first three tests were all done with the same vendor, Reverse 911, which made changes within their system each time," Kerntke said.
Students who received the text promptly were happy with the results.
"I got it at 1:51 p.m," said Ashley Yalof, a 5th-semester communications major.. "It was a big improvement from last year. I think it took an hour and fifteen minutes last time,"
"I think if the messages are coming as fast as they did this time, it's worthwhile. Otherwise, we'd get the e-mail first and it would defeat the purpose [of the text messages]," said Dan Watrous, a 5th-semester natural resources major.
Not everyone saw an improvement, however.
"I didn't get mine until 4 p.m.," said Kevin Seekell, a 7th-semester biomedical engineering major. "It would be nice if I could know sooner."
Of the 3,397 individuals who reported their answers to the university's alert web site, 97 percent said they received the text alert within five minutes of the message's dissemination, according to Michael Kerntke, UConn chief information officer.
This is a vast improvement from the system test that occurred last March. After that test, The Daily Campus reported that 97 percent of responding students received the message by 3 p.m. - an hour after the message was sent out.
The system was tested Tuesday as part of contract negotiations with a new vendor. Kerntke said he could not name the company, as the contract has not yet been signed, but the success of the test indicates that UConn will be moving forward with the negotiations.
"We were very pleased with the results and we think we found someone who can help us communicate with people in a time of emergency," Kerntke said.
This was the first time the system was tested with this vendor.
"The first three tests were all done with the same vendor, Reverse 911, which made changes within their system each time," Kerntke said.
Students who received the text promptly were happy with the results.
"I got it at 1:51 p.m," said Ashley Yalof, a 5th-semester communications major.. "It was a big improvement from last year. I think it took an hour and fifteen minutes last time,"
"I think if the messages are coming as fast as they did this time, it's worthwhile. Otherwise, we'd get the e-mail first and it would defeat the purpose [of the text messages]," said Dan Watrous, a 5th-semester natural resources major.
Not everyone saw an improvement, however.
"I didn't get mine until 4 p.m.," said Kevin Seekell, a 7th-semester biomedical engineering major. "It would be nice if I could know sooner."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
when to use it:
posted 9/25/08 @ 12:37 PM EST
-) Snow Closing or Delay (very useful)
-) Severe weather (tornado warning..etc)
-) Immediate threat posed by someone (murder..hostage..sexual assaualt)
Thats all. (Continued…)
Right on
posted 9/25/08 @ 9:21 PM EST
Right on. Too bad the UConn police believe sexual assault is only a "crime" and not a threat to the campus community.
Post a Comment