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In case of emergency numbers

By Al Edwards - 04.2008

DURHAM, N.H.- The University of New Hampshire recently added Cooper Notification’s Roam Secure Alert Network that enables officials to send targeted emergency text messages to students, faculty and staff, as well as students’ parents and Durham residents in the event of a crisis.

“Situations such as weather, school shootings and manmade disasters can happen any time at a university; we’re not immune,” said Scott Valcourt, UNH’s director of product management and consulting services. “We want to be able to be sure that we mitigate those risks and communicate as effectively as we can. It’s also important that we alert parents so they know what is going on in their child’s school.”

When an alert is issued through the text messaging system, a message can be automatically sent to e-mail users, such as students or staff, and an alert is issued on UNH’s web site. The school’s notification line is also updated with a message informing callers about the crisis.

In light of February’s shooting at Northern Illinois University where a gunman shot and killed six students, schools need to have effective notification systems to limit casualties, Valcourt said.

Nearly 13,000 students attend UNH, but the school intertwines through Durham, N.H., - a town with a population of nearly 13,000 without students.

“There really isn’t a way to separate the town from the community,” Valcourt said. “We chose to conform to the (campus community’s and the residents’ technology) and they use text messaging and cell phones a lot.”

Nearly 5,800 people and former students have signed up for the service, said Kathy Prendergast, director of marketing for Cooper Notification.

“This is a good tool for the university,” Prendergast said. “Anyone who wants to sign up to be notified, can.” SDN