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SUNY NY-ALERT FAQ
Sign Up for SUNY NY-ALERT NOW!
Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about SUNY NY-Alert.
About SUNY NY- Alert
Registration
Notification Alerts
More information is available by going to the SUNY NY-Alert website. Specific questions about SUNY NY-ALERT at MCC can be addressed to MCC’s Help Desk at 585.292.4357.
Q.What is SUNY NY-ALERT?
SUNY campuses can use the SUNY NY-ALERT system to send emergency and safety information and protective action messages, to students, employees, and visitors to protect lives and well-being, protect assets and minimize campus disruption.SUNY NY-ALERT is an emergency alert system based on the NY-ALERT system established by the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO).
Q.Who is authorized to send emergency/safety information?
The SUNY NY-ALERT system can be used only by authorized campus personnel to send emergency messages, including emergency protective actions, warnings and post-incident information related to life safety issues to the campus community. SUNY NY-ALERT will not be used by any party for any political, financial or personal gain, advertisement or advocacy. All parties that use NY-ALERT will adhere to the professional ethics standards promulgated by the State of New York.
Q. In what situations might I receive a SUNY NY-Alert? (What type of emergency/safety information will be broadcast?)
Alert notifications are allowed pertaining only to events in the categories identified below or other "life threatening" situations. "All Clear" and/or additional follow-up messages pertaining to end of event or additional instructions regarding the event are acceptable. General notifications of campus non-emergency events or activities are not acceptable via the SUNY NY-ALERT service.
Classification and Acceptable Usage:
- Bomb Threat - based on intelligence that indicates the threat is credible.
- Civil Disturbance - large group disrupting normal campus activities.
- Fire - large-scale fire to building(s), wildfires, local community or industry that endangers campus.
- Hazardous Material - dangerous material, chemical, biological, nuclear spreading from a contained area.
- Major Road Closing/Incident - unanticipated event that would disrupt safe passage to and from campus.
- Medical Emergency - pandemic or event with mass casualties.
- Personal Safety - situations that include use of weapons, violence, perpetrator(s) at large, active shooter, hostage situation or missing persons. Any situation, on or off campus, that, in the judgment of the Chief Administrative Officer or designee, constitutes an on-going or continuing threat to person or property.
- Suspicious Package - reasonable belief that a package may contain chemical, biological or nuclear substance that would cause harm to persons or property.
- Utility Failure - a major disruption or damage to utilities including gas, electrical or water.
- Weather - severe weather conditions to include flooding, snow/ice/cold, thunderstorm, wind, tornado or hurricane.
Q. Is it mandatory for students, faculty and staff to participate?
No. Students, faculty and staff will have the ability to opt out, but participation is voluntary and strongly encouraged. Those who opt out will have the opportunity to participate at any time by signing up on-line.
Q. Will SUNY NY-ALERT replace other means of communication that the College use to notify the campus community of emergency information?
No. SUNY NY-ALERT will augment the other means, which include emails, website, television, posters, etc.
Q. Once I sign up will I ever have to sign up again?
Yes. You will be asked to sign up for SUNY NY-ALERT at the beginning of each semester. This may sound unnecessary, but this is actually for your protection and is the only way currently to manage the list. Signing up only takes a few minutes, but the time spent could one day prove useful to you in the event of an emergency.
Q. Can parents, spouses and others sign up to receive SUNY NY-ALERT notifications from MCC?
At this time, only college community members with access to the Campus Information System (Banner) can sign up directly. This includes all current MCC students, faculty and staff.
However, when you sign up you can use the phone, e-mail or cell information of parents, guardians, spouses and others.
Q. Does it matter how many phones and in what order I enter them when I sign up?
No. You will be allowed to enter up to three telephone numbers, two email addresses, one fax number and four text message numbers. They can be your local, work, home, cell or what ever number you want to enter. It doesn't matter what order either since the system will dial them all at about the same time.
Q. What happens if I don't answer the phone when an emergency notification is sent out?
The system does NOT detect an answering machine or answering service. Unfortunately there is no standard on how long the system should wait until the phone is answered or how long the pre-set message should be. So, if a message was left, some participants might only receive part of the message, or none at all. The feature of "Press any number to receive this message" was incorporated to address this issue. The notification alert message will start immediately after a number has been pressed.
Q. How do I sign up for SUNY NY-ALERT?
If you are a student or employee of Monroe Community College you may do so through BannerWeb. Sign in to the Banner Web system with your Banner ID and password; Go to the Personal Information Tab: Use the link Emergency Alert Contact Information (NY-Alert)
Q. How do I update my information?
You can go into BannerWeb and update the information as often as possible. The latest information will override any information you have previously entered. However, be as accurate as possible.
Q. Will the contact information I provide, be protected?
Any new contact information submitted to the SUNY NY-Alert system at MCC will only be used to subscribe college community members to the Alert system.
Q. Will it cost me anything to participate in SUNY NY-ALERT?
No. SUNY NY-ALERT is being provided as a FREE service to campuses so there is no enrollment fee. However, specific contract details are still being worked out with cell/text service providers, so airtime and texting charges may apply for some participants.
Q. Will I automatically be enrolled in SUNY NY-ALERT once I sign-up?
No. The names and contact information of individuals who sign-up for SUNY NY-ALERT through BannerWeb are submitted immediately to SUNY however SUNY updates NY-Alert once per week on Friday evenings. This is the procedure that SUNY established with SEMO.
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