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PSUAlert: Frequently asked questions

5/13/14

Penn State is transitioning to a new emergency messaging system called PSUAlert, away from the current service known as PSUTXT. The following are FAQs related to the transition.

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Transition to new emergency messaging service begins

5/13/14

Beginning May 14, Penn State students, faculty and staff will start receiving emails inviting them to add their emergency contact information to PSUAlert, the University’s new emergency alerts system. As announced earlier this year, Penn State is transitioning to PSUAlert, away from the current emergency messaging service known as PSUTXT. The new service will feature enhanced messaging capabilities and more robust integration with the University’s other communications platforms.

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University will transition to new emergency messaging service this summer

4/2/14

This summer, Penn State will transition to a new emergency messaging system, away from the current service known as PSUTXT. The transition to the new service, which will be called PSUAlert, will begin in late May and will continue through June. No action is required at this time; detailed instructions will be distributed in late May and through June as the transition occurs. Penn State will continue to use PSUTXT for emergency alerts until the end of the day on June 30, at which point PSUAlert will become the University’s sole emergency messaging system.

Emergency communications to increase as officials seek best methods

3/25/14

Subscribers to Penn State's PSUTXT emergency messaging system may see an increase in the number of text and email alerts they receive in the coming months. In an effort to more closely match the guidelines of the federal Clery Act, police plan to issue all timely warnings via PSUTXT.

University Park snow

Storm to bring snow, wintry mix to Pennsylvania

2/4/14

Another winter storm is on its way, with the National Weather Service forecasting snow and sleet accumulations that vary from 1-3 inches in the Philadelphia area to more than a foot of snow in the northeast corner of the state. Much of Pennsylvania will be in the 3-6 inch or 6-12 inch range.

Penn State Hershey plans emergency preparedness exercise Nov. 26

11/21/13

The campus of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine will conduct an emergency preparedness exercise in its main building from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 26. The exercise is not expected to affect normal operations of the Medical Center, College of Medicine or related Penn State Hershey facilities.

Campus community urged to stay informed during weather emergencies

10/23/13

When severe weather strikes Penn State's University Park campus, individuals can stay informed of delays and cancellations by using Penn State's PSUTXT system, Facebook page and news website. Local television and radio stations also will inform the public.

Penn State to test PSUTXT system as part of routine emergency exercise

8/29/13

Penn State Emergency Management will conduct a University-wide test of the PSUTXT emergency notification system on Thursday, Sept. 5, as part of a routine emergency exercise. The PSUTXT system is designed to alert campus communities across the Commonwealth in the event of an emergency or situation that may impact the health and safety of students, faculty and staff, using text messaging, email and social media platforms. To register for the service, visit http://psutxt.psu.edu/.

To participate in a short survey designed to help the University improve the PSUTXT system, visit http://goo.gl/tIv1Ce. To learn more about emergency response procedures at Penn State, including links to information that will help you to prepare an emergency plan for your building or work unit, visit http://goo.gl/ozCBal.

PSUTXT causes alarm, officials offer apology, support and insight

4/26/13

On April 17, the University issued a text alert indicating that police were searching for a black male who had made an indirect threat in the HUB. That message followed reports from students, who said that threatening statements had been heard suggesting that this unidentified black male and his companion might take action to harm people.

McAllister Building water line break causes building shutdown

1/24/13

Shortly after the lunch hour, a water line collapsed in the first floor of McAllister Building, located in central campus on Pollock Road. Because of significant damage to the first floor and necessary shutdown of electricity, the building has been evacuated and will be closed until further notice.

The building is not expected to reopen until Friday morning (Jan. 25) at the earliest.

Individuals with classes and other scheduled activities in McAllister Building should check with their instructors or group leaders for an alternate location. The building manager is sending emails to affected faculty and staff; those individuals should check their email accounts for updated information.

Penn State community encouraged to subscribe to PSUTXT

12/14/12

Penn State Beaver faculty, staff, students and their families are encouraged to subscribe for free to PSUTXT, a service designed to alert the Penn State community via text messages to cellphones when situations arise on campus that affect the ability of the campus to function normally. Subscribers also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address. To subscribe, visit http://live.psu.edu/psutxt.

Penn State, Centre Region to participate in joint emergency exercise

10/3/12

Penn State and the Centre Region Office of Emergency Management will conduct a joint emergency operations exercise on Wednesday, Oct. 17. The exercise will test the readiness of regional and University emergency operations staff to respond should a major disaster occur.

"If a large-scale emergency such as a weather event were to take place, collaboration and sharing of resources among Penn State and our partners in the Centre Region would be critical -- not only in the immediate aftermath, but in the hours and days afterward," said Brian Bittner, director of emergency management at Penn State. "This drill will serve as another opportunity for us to fine-tune our plans and our systems. Having strong, joint procedures in place now will help us to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency."

PSUTXT test planned at Penn State Hershey

9/20/12

Penn State Hershey Medical Center plans to test the PSUTXT text-messaging system on Friday, Sept. 21, to help ensure its functionality in a true emergency. This test will be sent only to those who have valid PSUTXT accounts and have elected to receive "Hershey Alerts."

Students, families and employees should register for PSUTXT

9/14/12

Penn State Beaver students, their families, faculty and staff are urged to register for PSUTXT, a service designed to alert the Penn State community via text message to cell phones when situations arise on campus that affect the ability of the campus to function normally. Subscribers also can elect to have alerts sent to an e-mail address. To subscribe, visit http://live.psu.edu/psutxt.

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