CWU News

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September 24, 2019

Dear Campus Community,

Welcome to the 2019-2020 academic year.

For those who are new, welcome to the Wildcat Family. For those of you returning to Central, we are glad to have you back as you continue your journey to graduation. To our faculty and staff, welcome to another year of engagement and providing our students the finest in student success.

As always, the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remains our highest priority. Despite the fact we live in a community ranked one of the safest in the state of Washington, we must be prepared for unexpected events. Part of being prepared is adopting best practices that can help our campus and community respond quickly when faced with unexpected situations.

We have worked diligently over the summer on a number of new initiatives that will help ensure we remain prepared and vigilant.

Rave Alert Guardian App – This is an add-on to our existing Rave Alert! system. Downloading this app to your phone allows the user to receive emergency alerts via WiFi. It also has two additional safety features: (1) a walking companion app that allows a ‘social angel’ to follow the user via GPS from a starting to end point. Either party may alert police if something has happened while walking; and (2) a tab that provides emergency and safety information.

Run, Hide, Fight Video – CWU created its own active shooter scenario training video, utilizing our own buildings and students, faculty, and staff for actors. This video will be presented to all students in the classroom and is available online via YouTube. This important video provides valuable information we hope you remember—whether at CWU or off campus.

Emergency Preparedness Online Training – A CWU-centric online emergency preparedness course is now available for all employees. This online course will replace the corporate version that was previously used.

Emergency Notification Website – This is a “one-stop-shop” for emergency information. You can access all of the emergency resources on the college’s new Emergency Notifications website at cwu.edu/emergency. The home page serves as one of the portals for CWU official emergency information. The Safety and Emergency Preparation menu provides direction for specific emergencies that Central may face. You can also access the university emergency closure policy, as well as, weather service and travel alert information.

All members of the campus community should review and become familiar with all of the various aspects of CWU Emergency Preparedness information.

In the event of an emergency that impacts the operation of the Ellensburg campus, CWU students and employees will receive a CWU Alert! via text message, phone message, and email. Follow the instructions and only follow official CWU communication channels for information and updates. Official CWU channels include: CWU Alert!, CWU Emergency Notification website at cwu.edu/emergency, CWU Twitter @CentralWashU, and CWU Facebook @cwu.wildcats. Do not share information on social media that you are not certain about.

Students attending University Sites and Centers are to follow instructions provided at their sites.

Thank you for your engagement in this important process. Here’s to another safe and momentous year.

Sincerely,

James L. Gaudino

 

 

 

President
Central Washington University