VCU news

By Corey Byers

Virginia Commonwealth University will conduct a full test of its emergency communications and alerting systems, including multiple sirens throughout the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 5. 

The full test will include the sirens along with text messages, Alertus boxes, mass email, digital signs, desktop alerts, LiveSafe, social media and VCU website information — all part of a multichannel system for communicating emergency information to VCU students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community. 

VCU remains committed to supporting a wide variety of emergency alert technologies to distribute information in a timely and effective manner. These technologies help inform the VCU community of the necessary and prudent protective actions in a comprehensive manner. 

The following list contains more information about each of these alerting technologies: 

Outdoor sirens: In a real emergency, sirens on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses will sound to signal that an imminent, ongoing, life-threatening emergency has occurred or may be forthcoming. The purpose of the siren is to alert people outside of campus buildings to seek secure shelter immediately and to receive additional information. No all-clear siren is utilized.

Text messages: These will be short protective-action statements that will contain a link to alert.vcu.edu where additional information will be located. VCU students, faculty and staff may subscribe to VCU Alert text messaging by clicking "Manage Emergency Alerts" in the myVCU portal. Parents and community members also may sign up for VCU’s text message alert system to receive information about campus emergencies and cancellations. 

Alertus: These small yellow devices are in classrooms, residence halls and other high-traffic areas throughout campus. They provide an auditory and visual alert when a threat has occurred or is imminent. Much like text messages, a protective action statement will scroll on the screen during the threatening event.

Mass email: All VCU email account holders will receive an email containing the safety recommendations related to the event.

Social media: Alerting information will be posted to the @VCU Twitter account and the Virginia Commonwealth University Facebook page.

Digital signage: Digital displays are located throughout campus with a particular focus in high-traffic areas. These signs will display the emergency alert and reference information that is posted to Alertus boxes and text messaging.

Desktop alerts: The majority of VCU supported computers (and many Mac products) now support full screen notification on computer workstations in offices, laboratories, classrooms and study spaces. These messages will contain protective action statements related to the event.

LiveSafe:  All VCU LifeSafe users will receive a message through the VCU LiveSafe application that will contain protective action statements related to the emergency.

VCU’s Emergency Notification, Response and Evacuation policy is available online for review.

In addition to the semester tests in September and February, the university conducts checks of the siren system at noon on the first Wednesday of each month.