In a crisis situation, timely communication of the existence of a threat is vital. WSU’s ShockerAlert System is a network of various emergency communication assets which can be activated within minutes. They include:
- Email and text blasts. ShockerAlert will send emergency notification to individual faculty, staff and students though mass e-mail and cell phone text messaging. E-mail blasts are automatically sent to all wichita.edu accounts. To receive ShockerAlerts via cell phone, university community members must elect to opt-in. See www.wichita.edu/alert in order to complete the steps necessary to receive emergency notification by text message.
- Web alerts. In the event of an emergency, the WSU Web site (www.wichita.edu) will disseminate time-stamped news updates and contact information about the crisis. The myWSU site, which is a portal for students and staff, also has emergency notification features.
- Campus Information Channel. WSU’s campuses feature strategically-placed video monitors that normally display information about upcoming events. If a ShockerAlert is issued, emergency information will be displayed on these monitors.
- Facebook. ShockerAlerts will be carried on facebook.com/shockeralert.
In addition to ShockerAlert, KMUW, the WSU’s public radio station, subscribes to the federal Emergency Alert System and is capable of broadcasting an emergency alert notification as initiated by its network.