To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Todd Short" <tshort@illinois.edu>

Reply-To: tshort@illinois.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - Emergency Text Messaging Update

To: Faculty, Staff, Students

From: Todd Short, Director of Emergency Planning

Subject: Emergency Text Messaging Update

Welcome back to campus. During the holiday break, the University of 
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign began the switch to a new provider for the 
emergency text notification system, so we could provide you better 
service.

The new system, which is offered by a company called MyStateUSA, has 
several improved features:

* It allows you to test the system yourself.

* It allows you to include two additional contacts, say your parents, 
your guardian or your spouse.

* It sends messages at "true text" speed, greatly reducing delivery times 
compared to the previous system.

* It is easier to register with this provider. You don't need to input 
the email address of your phone provider, just submit your actual phone 
number.

* It is not hosted on campus so, in the event of a major crisis here, it 
will not be in danger of breaking.

But the system will not work without your help. 

* If you have not registered, go to emergency.illinois.edu and register 
now. 

* If you registered for the old system, go to emergency.illinois.edu and 
verify that we have your current contact information, as well as the 
contact information for the two people you want us to include.

* Be prepared for tests of the system. We will alert you about tests (the 
first will be Tuesday Feb. 17 at approximately 10:00 a.m.). If you do not 
receive a test message during the test, please contact the CITES Help 
Desk at (217) 244-7000 or consult@illinois.edu.

* Be prepared for an actual emergency. Go to www.dps.illinois.edu and 
click on 'Safety Resources' now and learn what you can do to protect 
yourself. 

* In an actual emergency, please follow the instructions we will give you 
through our other emergency communications systems (i.e., email, text, 
campus Web site, campus building telephone tree, etc.).

I wish you a safe and productive semester.

Warm regards,


Todd Short
Director of Emergency Planning
Division of Public Safety
This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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