Emergency Notification: Carolina ALERT
(Automated Local Emergency Response Technology)
Carolina ALERT:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q - What is Carolina ALERT?
A - This is the University’s name for the emergency notification system. Messages will come from alert@sc.edu during tests and in the event of an emergency. ALERT stands for Automated Local Emergency Response Technology.
Q - When will Carolina ALERT be used?
A - It will be used to alert subscribers to a severe emergency or a life-threatening situation.
Q - What is considered an "emergency"?
A - Currently, the Emergency Notification team and Law Enforcement have defined this system as being used for life-threatening situation. As the system matures, University officials will further define and publish.
Q - Will I receive a test after I have subscribed?
A - Not necessarily. The emergency notification team plans tests as needed to a variety of audiences each semester. These tests are communicated to the community prior to the test. You will not automatically receive a test after you subscribe.
Q - Where can I update my information?
A - After logging into VIP, go to the Personal option. You will see a link that says “Show Me emergency notification.” Click on that to see your emergency information and use the update link to enter your information. This can be changed at anytime throughout the year.
Q - What if I forget to update my information if something changes such as my e-mail or phone number?
A - Every semester the emergency screen will automatically present itself when you log on to VIP. You should always review the information for accuracy and make any necessary updates.
Q - When I log on to VIP and I see my Emergency Notification screen and it already has my University e-mail on it, can I change it if I want to?
A - Yes. In fact if you have another e-mail address that you use more frequently we would encourage you to replace the existing email address with your preference.
Q - What if I go home during the semester break? Can I turn this off?
A - You can choose to “Disable” the features for notification while you are off-campus, if needed, through VIP. However, you will need to “Enable” this through VIP once you return. This is not done automatically.
Q - What if I don’t have a cell phone when I first arrive at the University?
A - If you get a cell phone, simply log on to VIP, go to the Personal menu, select the Emergency Notification screen, and put in the number.
Q - I don’t have a text-messaging capable phone. Does this mean I won’t get messages?
A - As long as you provide some form of contact information, you will receive the emergency or test information. This system is designed to send messages through voicemail, e-mail and text messaging. So if you don’t have text-messaging available, you will still be able to receive emergency messages through your preferred contact method.
Q - Can the system be used for non-emergency mass messaging?
A - Yes, it can; and while it is designed well for emergency notification, the project team is still evaluating if this system is appropriate for other uses such as social and academic messages. Taking a phased approach allows the team to focus delivery on the first priority of safety. Once the emergency notification feature is fully operational the team will be looking at options for non-emergency use.
Q - What do I do if my cell phone provider is not listed?
A - Please call the Help Desk at 803-777-1800 with the name of your provider and your text messaging address. For example, if your cell phone number is 803-123-4567 and your provider is Alltel your text message address would be 8031234567@alltel.com. Some of the other common carriers are:
- AT&T Wireless: cellnumber@mmode.com
- Cingular: cellnumber@mobile.mycingular.com
- Nextel: cellnumber@messaging.nextel.com
- Sprint PCS: cellnumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
- T-Mobile: cellnumber@tmomail.net
- Verizon: cell@vtext.com
Q - What other means does the University have to provide emergency information?
A - The University has a variety of ways to communication emergency information. The most common are:
- Broadcast e-mails to all students, faculty, and staff
- Emergency Alert System (EAS), also known as crawl TV
- Campus sirens and loudspeakers.
- University switchboard: 803-775-8727
- The University home page (www.uscsumter.edu) and the Emergency Preparedness site (www.uscsumter.edu/emergency)
- Local media such as radio, TV stations
Q - How is my contact information updated?
A - Each individual subscriber MUST update his or her contact information via VIP.
Q - Will my contact information be shared with anyone?
A - No, the contact information you provide is for emergency purposes only.
Q - Will this cost me anything?
A - The University will not charge a subscriber fee. However, depending on your wireless carrier provider and the plan you have, you may be charged for SMS/text messages.
Q - Will I receive unsolicited messages ("SPAM") on my mobile phone or e-mail account?
A - No. The University manages and maintains this system.
Q - When I enter my emergency contact information, will I be able to add contact information for a parent or spouse or significant other so they will be alerted during an emergency, too?
A - The Emergency Notification system has the capability and capacity to do this. However, the University is currently directing emergency messages solely toward students, faculty, and staff.
Q - Other members of the University received emergency notifications messages but I did not. What should I do?
A -First, check you contact information on VIP. Update any missing or incorrect information. If you find all the information is correct, call the Help Desk at 803-777-1800 (option 1).
Q - What if I have general questions about the emergency notification system?
A - Call the Help Desk at 803-777-1800, and someone on the Emergency Notification team contact you.
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