October 24, 2007

Keeping Connect-ED

Ohio Wesleyan University this week began implementing an emergency contact system that will allow the campus community to be notified of urgent situations via the telephone, e-mail, and text-message systems of their choice.

“Safety is a priority for college campus nationwide, including Ohio Wesleyan,” says David Robbins, provost and interim president. “This new contact system will enhance our efforts to keep students, faculty, and staff informed of critical situations and out of harm’s way.”

Called “Connect-ED for Higher Education,” the emergency contact system is used by more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide, providing time-sensitive information to 1 million people. Clients using the service—offered by The NTI Group, Inc. of Sherman Oaks, California—include Princeton University, Tulane University, and the University of Notre Dame.

Ohio Wesleyan began collecting student contact information this week, requesting that students complete a Connect-ED® data sheet as part of the spring semester enrollment process.

More information about faculty and staff data collection will be provided soon.

“This project is on the fast track,” says Theresa Byrd, OWU’s chief information officer and director of libraries. “We have appointed an implementation committee to keep the process moving forward as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Once contact information has been input into the Connect-ED system, Ohio Wesleyan will test it, make any necessary adjustments, and then begin using it, Byrd says. The goal is to have the system in place by the beginning of spring semester.

Professor Barbara MacLeod, chair of the implementation committee, says the campus community needs to make providing contact information a priority to help enhance safety and ensure a timely implementation process.

“This initiative will strengthen the University and help to protect everyone who learns and works here,” MacLeod says. “I encourage everyone to return information to us as quickly as possible.”

The data, which remain under the control of Ohio Wesleyan, will not be used by NTI for any purpose other than emergency notification and will be treated in a highly confidential manner. Notifications will include critical weather information, such as tornado warnings or snow-related campus closures. The system also will be used to share news of emergency situations requiring immediate action.

“Connect-ED will be used to provide urgent information and instructions only,” Byrd says. “We want people to know that when they receive a voice or text message via Connect-ED, it is vital for them to access it and respond.”

In addition to Connect-ED for Higher ED, NTI also provides emergency notification systems for secondary education, municipalities, and state and federal agencies. NTI began providing services in 2001.

To ensure nearly instantaneous notifications, the company has access to telephone lines throughout the nation. Special programs help to identify the most effective means of delivering data despite any disruptions in local service.

– Cole Hatcher

* Note: You will need the free Adobe Reader software to view/print PDF files. Click the "Get Adobe Reader" icon to begin the download process.