ABAC Campus Alert Connect-Ed System

Who is administering the ABAC campus alert system?

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College acquired the services of Connect-Ed to provide campus leaders and security professionals with the ability to reach students, faculty, and staff via telephone (cellular and landline), email and text messaging. The campus alert emergency mass notification system is administered by the Office of Public Relations; however, several ABAC departments are involved in the project including the Communications Unit of the President’s Office, Student Affairs, Information Technology, Human Resources, and ABAC Police. Only authorized representatives from the ABAC Police can send emergency messages using the campus alert Connect-Ed system.

When will a campus alert be used? ABAC’s campus alert system will be used only when there is a campus closing, severe threat to public safety and health of the entire campus, which has not been contained or controlled, and when immediate action is required on the part of the recipient group(s), (e.g. chemical spills impacting public health, school closing, tornado warnings, active shooters, etc). Once the situation receives an “all clear” by the proper authorities then this information will be posted on the ABAC Web site at http://www.abac.edu.
 

The campus alert system will not be used for non-emergency notifications such as lane closures, routine crime updates, localized building emergencies, situations that have been contained or where a threat does not exist, rumor control, and situations where notification is merely a convenience or when ABAC’s main Web Site is the most appropriate communication method. The campus alert system will not replace ABAC’s main Web Site http://www.abac.edu for non-urgent messages. The campus alert system, Connect-Ed, will be tested twice a year during the spring and fall semesters.

How many telephone numbers and email addresses can I put in when signing up? Instructions on how ABAC faculty, staff, and students can sign up for Connect-Ed are located at http://www.abac.edu/ConnectEd. Students can indicate two campus alert phone numbers and one campus alert text messaging number in the Banner system under “Personal Information”; ABAC recommends cellular telephone numbers. Additionally, phone numbers associated with mailing address will be used as appropriate. Employees provide their main (department), business (desk), and cellular telephone information via the Employee Self Service system, which should be updated periodically. Email notifications are sent to the ABAC email address assigned to each student and employee.

If you do not provide ABAC with a specific campus alert number, then what information is automatically placed into the system by ABAC?

For students, the telephone number listed in their records as their local, mailing, or permanent telephone number is uploaded into the system in addition to a given specific campus alert number. For faculty and staff, the office telephone number as listed within Human Resources will be automatically uploaded into the system.

What is the "primary number" in the campus alert system?

The primary number is the one most likely to reach you when you are on ABAC property. For most people, this will be a cellular number.

What number will be reflected on my caller identification when a warning is issued?

The telephone number reflected on your caller identification will be 229-391-5225. You should program this number into your telephone so it will immediately recognize it as an urgent call.

What email address will be reflected when a warning is issued?

The "from" address will reflect the following: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College [abacalert@abac.edu]. Please set your spam filters to allow mail from this address.

Does this notification system overwhelm the telephone systems (cell and land lines)?

No, Connect-Ed (NTI Group) utilizes proprietary algorithms designed to maximize the available local switch network for best success of delivery. However, because ABAC numbers' incoming line capacity is limited, calls to ABAC may be delayed more than those made to cellular or home telephones. Lines reserved for outgoing calls are not impacted by the incoming emergency warning calls.

What should I do if I receive an emergency call or email from the campus alert system?

You should take the warning very seriously as this system will be used only when there is an immediate threat. Follow the instructions provided and take immediate action. Never attempt to go past barricaded areas.

What other emergency notification systems are used at ABAC?

ABAC is researching the purchase of a second outdoor emergency siren (primarily for weather related events); ABAC Web home page provides the most recent emergency updates; National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios are located in many ABAC office buildings; telephone trees (where assigned individuals call others with emergency messages are utilized; and announcements are made over police cruiser PA systems when warranted).

After a warning is issued, how can I find out more details?

It is imperative to keep telephone lines open during an emergency situation. As soon as additional information is available, it will be reflected on the ABAC home page http://www.abac.edu.

What else should I know about emergency preparedness?

Although college campuses are usually safe places, emergencies and disasters do occur. Individual preparedness is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness and response. Every individual should have an emergency kit and emergency plan, which includes a family communication plan. The plan should be tested periodically. Each campus office and residence hall room should have a NOAA weather radio. Visit http://www.ready.gov for information about individual emergency preparedness or contact ABAC Police at 229-391-5060 or ABAC’s Office of Public Relations at 229-391-5055.