Today@Sam Article

SHSU To Conduct Fall Semester KatSafe Test

Sept. 9, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Julia May

Sam Houston State University will conduct a full test of the KatSafe mass notification system—including siren, email, voice and text messaging, social media, and the desktop alert—Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 10:55 a.m.

It is not necessary to take any special action, and members of the university community should continue regular activities at the time of the test.

The university’s multifaceted KatSafe system allows campus officials to quickly communicate vital information during emergency situations. The type of information to be disseminated and severity of the situation will determine which methods of communication will be used. In major critical situations requiring immediate action, all available alerts will be activated. However, for information messaging only, SHSU may choose to utilize one or two methods, such as email or text messaging. 

In order for the emergency notification system to be effective, it is important for Sam Houston State University students, faculty and staff to provide accurate contact information to the university. As of Aug. 22, 45 percent of SHSU contacts have not enabled their cell phone number to receive text messages from KatSafe. 

“It’s possible that people may think they have set up their contact information to receive text messages because they are receiving email notices or desk top alerts, when in fact they have not provided a text messaging number,” said Mark Adams, vice president of information technology. 

“If they do not receive a text message when the university conducts a full test of the KatSafe system on Sept. 13, they should check their contact information,” he said.

Verification of information and updates can be made by going through SamWeb

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