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Frequently Asked Questions

Tufts Emergency Alert System (Send Word Now)
ANSWERS
  1. What is the Tufts Emergency Alert System?
    The Tufts Emergency Alert System allows the university to rapidly send messages to students, faculty and staff during time-sensitive crisis situations.  By simultaneously distributing messages to cell phones, email systems, text messaging, landlines and pagers, we can use the system to quickly communicate critical information to the campus community.
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  2. How do I enter my personal contact information into the Tufts Emergency Alert System?
    Twice a year at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters you will receive an invitation from the Tufts Emergency Alert System giving you the opportunity to enter your personal contact information via an external link.  Simply click that link and enter your information in the spaces provided.  If you would like to receive an invitation to enter your contact information outside the scheduled invitation window, contact the UIT Support Center Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 617-627-3376 or at uitsc@tufts.edu .

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  3. Why do you need my cell phone and personal email address?
    In an emergency, we want to send alerts to communications devices you are most likely to have with you or check frequently. Nearly every student, faculty and staff member has a cell phone, many of which can receive text messages.  In addition, many members of the community, particularly students, frequently use and check non-Tufts email addresses.
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  4. What kind of emergency would warrant the use of the Tufts Emergency Alert System?
    Emergency alerts will ONLY be issued during an existing or imminent emergency that affects the health or safety of students, faculty and staff on or near Tufts’ campuses.
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  5. How will I be notified of an emergency?

    Alerts will be sent to each of the devices you register with the system (such as your cell phone and personal email address).  You will also receive an alert via your Tufts email account.

    Because some messages will be delivered more quickly than others, and some may not be successfully transmitted due to external factors, it is essential that each member of the community registers multiple points of contact in the system. The more ways we have to alert each person, the more effective the system will be.


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  6. What should I do when I receive an emergency alert from the system?
    First, do not ignore the message.  Once you’ve read or listened to the alert, follow the directions contained in the alert message and spread the word to others around you.
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  7. How did Tufts choose this system?
    University Information Technology, in conjunction with Tufts’ crisis planning committee, researched a variety of available technologies and firms that provide rapid communication services. Following a comprehensive review and competitive bidding process, the university selected Send Word Now to provide the technology behind the Tufts Emergency Alert System.

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  8. Who controls the Tufts system?
    A select group of Tufts administrators will be authorized to access and operate the system.
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  9. How do I know my emergency contact information is secure?
    Send Word Now, the technology powering the Tufts Emergency Alert System, has excellent security measures to keep your data safe and confidential. The system’s security features have helped make it the choice of large corporations worldwide, as well as other colleges and universities.
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  10. Has Tufts tested the system?

    Yes, Tufts ran numerous tests over the summer of 2007 with select user groups that were highly successful. The university conducted the first "live" test of the system on November 14th, 2007. Additional "live" tests are conducted at the start of the fall and spring semesters.


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  11. How often will I receive invitations to update my personal contact information?
    At this time, Tufts Emergency Alert System invitations are scheduled to go out to all faculty, staff, students, and select affiliates just after the start of the fall and spring semesters.  In time, that schedule may change in order to better accommodate the community.  Any changes will be carefully considered before being implemented.
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  12. I am a new employee; how do I receive an email invitation from the Tufts Emergency Alert System in order to enter my personal contact information?
    New employees are automatically entered into the system on a weekly basis. You will receive an invitation from the Tufts Emergency Alert System within your first few weeks of employment. If you have any questions about this process please contact the UIT Support Center between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at uitsc@tufts.edu.
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  13. I want to change or verify my emergency contact information, but I can no longer access the link in the Tufts Emergency Alert System invitation I received.
    In order to ensure that your contact information remains secure, you may only update it once via the link sent to you in your original Tufts Emergency Alert System invitation.  If your emergency contact information changes or you wish to verify the information you entered, please contact the UIT Support Center between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 617-627-3376 or at uitsc@tufts.edu to request an additional email invitation.

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  14. Can I remove my contact information from the Tufts Emergency Alert System?
    Yes. To remove your emergency contact information from the Tufts Emergency Alert System, contact the UIT Support Center between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 617-627-3376 or at uitsc@tufts.edu. The UITSC will send you another email invitation that will allow you to change or verify your information. Once you receive the invitation, click the link at the bottom, delete your emergency contact information, and then click Update.

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  15. I've removed all my data from the Tufts Emergency Alert System, but I still periodically get invitations to update my personal contact information. How do I "opt out" of the system altogether?
    Being able to communicate with all affected students, faculty, and staff during an emergency or crisis situation is integral to protecting the personal safety of the Tufts community.  We highly encourage you to participate in the system; however, if you do not wish to supply your contact information, simply ignore the invitations that are periodically sent to you.
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  16. Who should I call if I have questions that were not answered by reading the FAQ?
    If you have any questions about the Tufts Emergency Alert System, contact the UIT Support Center between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 617-627-3376 or uitsc@tufts.edu.
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