Sent: 2012-08-31
From: Daniel P. Nadler, Ph.D. Vice President for Student Affairs
To: Students, Employees
Subject: Testing of Emergency Notification System
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
We hope that you have had an enjoyable and productive start to the new
academic year. As the first Tuesday in September approaches, we would
like to take a moment to remind you of the emergency testing that takes
place on the first Tuesday of each month, as well as remind you of the
many individuals and services that are dedicated to helping you have a
safe educational experience.
On the first Tuesday of each month, the City of Charleston tests its
emergency sirens at approximately 10:00 a.m. At approximately 10:30 a.m.,
the University tests its emergency sirens. The University's emergency
siren sounds with a pulse tone, followed by a public address message, if
needed. As part of the University's test on Tuesday, September 4, 2012,
test messages will also be sent out via the Alert EIU text message system
and the email emergency notification system at approximately 10:30 a.m.
If you are not already registered for the Alert EIU text message system
and would like to do so, please go to the Alert EIU website at
http://www.eiu.edu/alerteiu.
Additionally, professionals across campus are dedicated to providing you
with a safe and enjoyable learning and working environment:
*The University Police Department is led by Chief Adam Due, a graduate of
the FBI National Academy. Sworn officers patrol the campus on foot, on
bikes, and in cars 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Officers, along
with the University community, regularly participate in large-scale
multi-agency drills to prepare for an emergency.
* The Office of Housing and Dining Services employs live-in residence hall
directors and resident assistants who assist on each floor. Before each
school year begins, the Office of Housing and Dining Services partners
with the University Police Department to provide in-depth scenario-based
training for hall staff. Access to residence hall floors is restricted,
and security cameras run 24 hours a day in the halls. Night Assistants
monitor the residence halls from midnight to 4:00 a.m.
*The Panther Shuttle - a bus service that stops at various locations
around the perimeter of campus as well as County Market, the Square, and
Walmart - runs until midnight (Sunday through Wednesday) or 1:30 a.m.
(Thursday through Saturday) so that students do not need to walk alone at
night.
*Twenty-one emergency phones are located in strategic areas across campus.
These phones are approximately seven feet tall and are easily identifiable
by their blue lights. When the button on these phones is pushed, a police
dispatcher will answer "911" and ask if police, fire, or medical personnel
are needed. Whether a voice answers or not, an EIU police officer is
immediately dispatched to the activated phone to check on the well-being
of the caller.
*In the event of an emergency, EIU will activate some or all elements of
the University's Campus Emergency Notification System. This system
includes the siren/public address system, the Alert EIU text message
system, the emergency email notification system, a phone tree that
notifies key individuals about the emergency so that they can post the
information in accessible locations for public awareness, and radio and
television announcements.
We look forward to a safe and successful semester! If you have questions
or concerns, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Student
Affairs.
Sincerely,
Daniel P. Nadler, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
William V. Weber, Ph.D.
Vice President for Business Affairs
