Safety First Alert Provides Rapid Communication in Campus Emergencies

Campus safety is a high priority at Michigan Technological University, so Michigan Tech is implementing an emergency communications service called Safety First Alert.

Safety First Alert enables the University to send emergency and other time-sensitive notifications via telephone, email and text message. To make it function effectively, faculty, staff and students are being asked to sign up and provide their phone numbers and email addresses via a password-protected website, www.mtu.edu/safetyfirstalert.

“Notifying everyone quickly is essential in emergency situations,” said Les Cook, vice president for student affairs. “The ability to provide fast and reliable information is a key to keeping Michigan Tech safe.”

The emergency message service can deliver a recorded message to up to three phone numbers and send an email and one text message to each person who has signed up.

To assure the privacy of those participating, the contact information will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

Anyone who does not want to provide their contact information must go online and opt out. Faculty, staff and students will be asked to update their information or opt out once a year.

To encourage the campus community to sign up at the start of the school year, Michigan Tech is sponsoring a raffle to win two season tickets to the Great Events Series at the Rozsa Center or two season tickets for Huskies hockey. Those who submit their information before Sept. 30 will be eligible for the drawing.

Michigan Technological University is a leading public research university, conducting research, developing new technologies and preparing students to create the future for a prosperous and sustainable world. Michigan Tech offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering, forestry and environmental sciences, computing, technology, business and economics, natural and physical sciences, arts, humanities and social sciences.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.