Emergency
CWU Alert! FAQ
- What is CWU Alert! campus-wide notification system?
- How do I enroll in the CWU Alert! notification system?
- How do I change my contact information in the campus-wide emergency notification system?
- Who will get notified with the CWU Alert! notification system?
- Another member of my household is also a member of the CWU community, but we only received one phone call to our home. Why?
- The phone directory lists a common phone number for multiple people in our office. Will we receive multiple phone calls at that number?
- I did not receive a phone call, email or text message, even though others did, and I submitted my information. What should I do?
- What happens after I sign up (opt-in) for text messaging via the web portal?
- How do I prevent CWU Alert! from sending me text messages?
- Who is authorized to send messages out using the campus-wide emergency notification system?
- Should I submit my contact information even if I am located at an off-campus location?
- If I change my mind and don't want to receive emergency alerts, can I cancel?
- How often will I receive alerts?
- Will I receive information other than emergency alerts from the campus-wide emergency notification system?
- What steps are taken to ensure the information I submit is secure?
- Will my contact information be sold to telemarketers?
- What number will be reflected on my caller ID when an alert is issued?
- What e-mail address will be reflected when an alert is issued?
- Should I do anything to ensure that emergency emails are not filtered?
- What should I do if I receive an emergency call or e-mail from the campus-wide emergency notification system?
- What other emergency notification systems are used at CWU?
- What else should I know about emergency preparedness?
- Why did it take so long for me to receive the Alert message on my office phone?
What is the CWU Alert! campus-wide notification system?
The University has contracted with Blackboard Connect to use their Connect-ED emergency mass notification system. The Connect-ED product improves the University's ability to effectively communicate with the campus using land-line phones, cellular phones, voicemail, e-mail, and text messaging. The Connect-ED system can push out thousands of messages within minutes to help ensure the safety of everyone at CWU during an emergency.
How do I enroll in the CWU Alert! notification system?
The University has elected to opt-in all students, faculty and staff using the contact information found in Safari. It is extremely important that you keep your contact information updated to assure that you receive alerts. You can access Safari from the Wildcat Connection link.
To update your phone number:
- Log in with your Novell/Wildcat ID.
- If you are a Student, log into Safari as you normally would.
- If you are Faculty, log into Faculty Safari as you normally would.
- If you are Staff, click on the Employee Link (not Safari) from the left side menu and then click on Self Service.
- Check your phone numbers displayed and if needed, update a number where you can be most directly contacted (i.e. cell phone).To add Text messaging select Add a Phone Number and using the drop down menu choose Text Message.
- Once logged in, click on Self Service to update other contact information in the Personal Information area (address, email, etc.). Your CWU email is already enrolled, but you may add a personal email account too.
Detailed Safari Self service instructions are here.
Who will be notified with the CWU Alert! notification system?
Students, Faculty and Staff will receive alerts provided their contact information is kept updated and current.
Another member of my household is also a member of the CWU community, but we only received one phone call to our home. Why?
The system recognizes repeated phone numbers and ensures that it calls each unique phone number only once.
The phone directory lists a common phone number for multiple people in our office. Will we receive multiple phone calls at that number?
No. The system recognizes repeated phone numbers and ensures that it calls each unique phone number only once.
I did not receive a phone call, email or text message, even though others did, and I submitted my information. What should I do?
Please verify that your information in Safari is updated and accurate.
How do I change my contact information in the CWU Alert! notification system?
Log into Wildcat Connection to access Safari Self Service where you can update all your personal information. Detailed instructions for updating your day/evening phone numbers, e-mail (you can add personal e-mail accounts), texting and TTY numbers are found at:
What happens after I sign up (opt-in) for text messaging via the web portal?
After you have updated your texting number in Safari, CWU Alert! will send a confirmation text message to your mobile phone. This normally occurs the next day during business hours between 10am - 6pm PST. The confirmation message will say:
CWU Alert!: You are now confirmed to receive alerts from us. More info text reply "HELP" or "STOP" 23177 to opt-out.
How do I prevent CWU Alert! from sending me text messages?
If you do not want to receive text messages during an emergency, do not update a texting (SMS) number to your personal contact information in Safari.
If you opted to receive text messages, you can opt out at any time by texting STOP to 23177.
Who is authorized to send messages out using the CWU Alert! notification system?
Messages will be distributed by trained representatives from the Department of Public Safety and Police Services.
Should I submit my contact information even if I am located at an off-campus location?
Yes. The CWU Alert! notification system will be utilized when emergencies may impact the entire Ellensburg CWU community whether you live on- or off-campus.
If I change my mind and don't want to receive CWU Alerts!, can I cancel?
To opt out of receiving email, voicemail or SMS (texting) alerts, print out the OPT OUT Form, fill it out, and bring it to the Public Saftey building with you CWU ID card. Or you may get a form at the Public Safety building.
How often will I receive alerts?
Currently, the University plans to conduct tests of all the emergency communications systems two times per year. However, the University reserves the right to conduct additional testing based on significant changes to either the enrollment population or upgrades to the systems.
Will I receive information other than safety alerts from the CWU Alert! notification system?
No. Currently, CWU only intends to use the notification system for situations that pose a threat to the safety of the CWU community.
What steps are taken to ensure the information I submit is secure?
Confidential personal information is stored in Safari. You are the only person with access to your personal data. Blackboard Connect provides a system that enables ITS to schedule secured automatic updates, which will be run frequently to keep in order to keep the data current.
Will my contact information be sold to telemarketers?
NO. Blackboard Connect does not sell, lease, share, rent, or barter personally identifiable information (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) to any companies or persons outside of Blackboard Connect or Blackboard Connect service providers, EVER! For more information, see The Blackboard Connect Group Privacy Policy.
What number will be reflected on my caller ID when an alert is issued?
When a CWU Alert! is issued via the notification system, caller ID will show that you are receiving a call from 509-963-2345.
What e-mail address will be reflected when an alert is issued?
The "from" address of a CWU Alert! message sent from CWU via the notification system will appear as CWU ALERT@cwu.edu
What should I do if I receive an emergency call or e-mail from the CWU Alert! notification system?
If you receive a message via the notification system, do the following:
- Listen to or read the ENTIRE message.
- Take the message seriously.
- Follow any instructions given in the message.
- The CWU Home Page will be updated as more information becomes available about the incident.
Should I do anything to ensure that emergency emails are not filtered?
If you forward your CWU email account to another ISP (such as Yahoo or Gmail), the emergency message will be subject to SPAM filtering which we have no control over. Therefore, you may not receive the message. To find out more on how to modify your local client filters to prevent messages from CWU ALERT from being filtered, contact your Internet Service Provider.
What other emergency notification systems are used at CWU?
Currently, CWU makes use of any or all of the following systems depending on the specific emergency:
- Phone calls & voicemail, Campus Closure Voice Mail (509)963-2354
- E-mail Alerts - a secondary response system which you can subscribe to.
- Fire alarm systems
- Public Address systems
- Computer Desktop Notices - a secondary response system to an emergency incident on campus.
- Steam Whistle (in planning stage)
- CWU Webpage and Emergency Management Division
What else should I know about hazard preparedness?
As always, we strive to keep CWU a safe place, however emergencies and disasters can always occur. Every individual should be prepared both at CWU and at home. Visit the CWU Department of Public Safety website or www.ready.gov for information on individual emergency preparedness.
Why did it take so long for me to receive the Alert message on my office phone?
Alert calls originate from off-campus. Since there are only a limited number of phone lines coming onto campus, only about 75 calls can be in progress at any point in time. Depending on the length of the message being delivered, that means the time required to deliver all of the necessary calls can be quite lengthy. For speedier notice, we recommend that you register your cell phone number in Safari as those calls are generally delivered much faster.
