Emergency notification test gets mixed results

With unpredictable, harmful incidents happening on college campuses nationwide, DePauw University has joined in the trend of alerting students of potential hazards on campus via text messaging.On Feb. 6, the campus took part in an emergency notification test to make sure students, faculty and staff could be alerted in the event of such an emergency. The process ran smoothly, with only a few glitches recognized and taken care of, said Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Cox.

Notifications were sent through University-wide e-mail, WGRE, campus media, Novell network alerts and JYNGLE, the new emergency notification system set up by the University last year which allows students to receive text message alerts.

"Several people received notification via multiple methods," Cox said in an e-mail. "The most efficient means of delivery according to this test was for those registered to receive text messages via JYNGLE."

Although the test run was successful, with 90 percent of the campus receiving notification within 15 minutes, a few problems were detected through student and faculty feedback. Cox said the follow-up survey was completed by 184 people.

He said there was a difficulty in the actual transmission of e-mail, requiring an extra step, which slowed down the process. The problem was corrected immediately, however, by Information Services, Cox said.

Another problem communicated in student and faculty surveys is that less than one-third of the campus is registered with JYNGLE, and as it is the most effective communicator in a time of crisis, this poses a problem. Cox said he doesn't understand why more students haven't utilized the system.

"We promote it like we promote Safe Ride," he said, adding that it is advertised in every program public safety offers.

"Unfortunately that says something, that we still have a long way to come in understanding that emergency preparedness is your own responsibility."

Sophomore Jen Currier signed up for JYNGLE so she could stay informed.

"If there is something going on on campus, I want to be aware of it," she said.

Although the majority of students have not signed up for the text messaging service, Currier said she believes it is a good idea.

"Students always have their cell phones on them," she said. "The only problem there would be is if you are in class and your cell phone is on silent, but other than that, I think it it's really effective."

Cox said he also hopes students decide to utilize JYNGLE.

"It really costs [students] nothing, and is certainly one of the best means of sending out an alert," Cox said.

Cox said six students reported not receiving text messages, which will be something the University looks into fixing.

Another problem is that too few students listen to WGRE in a day to make it an ample source for notification. Feedback showed that the University has a long way to go in terms of effectively communicating information in a crisis, Cox said.

"We will continue to benchmark with other schools and review more comprehensive means of emergency notification," he said. "Some of those ideas include networking our emergency blue lights and incorporating public address capabilities, and also research into outdoor 'emergency sirens.'"

Cox said he is pleased with the outcome of the test, but at the same time, the school recognizes the need for continued attention.

"The 97 percent success rate among those participating in the survey in encouraging, however we know we still face ... challenges," Cox said.

Cox said one thing Public Safety is pleased about is that the minor problems found during the test were resolved quickly. The campus will continue to run periodic testing at least once a semester.