Storms spur increased registration in Emergency Alert System
Contact: Christina Chapple, Elise Doster
9/11/08
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SIGN UP TO BE SAFE – Adam Watkins of Labadieville, right, director of programs and events for the Southeastern Louisiana University Student Government Association, helps his fellow student, Malcolm Hollins a sophomore political science major from Folsom, register for the university’s emergency alert system Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Student Union mall. SGA manned computers at the union to encourage students to sign up for the system, which issues special notices via emails, text and voice messages.
While all members of the campus community receive emergency notices via their university e-mail addresses, signing up for the emergency alert system enables participants to also receive cell phone text messages and voice mails.
Prior to Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Fay, approximately 2,000 Southeastern students, faculty and staff had signed-up for the emergency alert system at www.alertregistration.com/southeastern. The system was activated in February, when Southeastern and other University of Louisiana System institutions partnered with the Baton Rouge company FirstCall.
As Gustav approached, however, and since the storm’s Sept. 1 landfall, the number of registrants has tripled to more than 6,000, said Erin Moore, executive assistant to Interim President John L. Crain. The university used the system several times after the storm to post updates on Southeastern’s status.
The Student Government Association has been encouraging student registration by providing access to laptops and sign up assistance at the Student Union.
“We have had a lot of people signing-up this week, but some still don’t know about the program,” said Adam Watkins, SGA director of programs and events. “The SGA hopes students take a minute out of their day to register because it’s very important that they stay informed about campus procedures during an emergency.”
To register for the emergency alert system, visit the link found on the university’s Web site, www.selu.edu, or in the “Quick Links” dropdown menus throughout the web site.
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