Ithaca College will conduct a regular campus-wide test of its IC Alert Emergency Notification System (ENS) and Outdoor Warning System (OWS) during the noon hour this Thursday, Feb. 16. There is no need to take any action in response to the test.
The appalling mass shooting which took place on Monday night at Michigan State University is yet another reminder that no community is immune from violence. As we offer our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy, we want to assure the IC community that our Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management plans regularly to respond to such incidents. The ENS/OWS testing is a part of that planning, and we encourage you to take advantage of the resources available to help enhance your personal safety.
The ENS uses voice, e-mail, and text messaging to provide information and instructions in the event of a campus emergency. The OWS uses a siren and loudspeaker to deliver emergency warnings and messages on campus. The OWS is not intended to be heard inside buildings.
Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to provide your mobile device voice and text number to help ensure that you receive emergency alerts by multiple methods.
Instructions on how to update/edit your emergency contact information can be found at the IC Alert website.
Members of the campus community are also urged to download and install the free Rave Guardian safety app on your mobile device. The app provides quick access to a suite of personal safety tools and resources.
When you receive an IC Alert text message, it should show on your mobile device as coming from one of the following five numbers: 67283, 78015, 77295, 81437, or 226787. If the message you receive appears to be coming from an individual by name, please contact the IT Service Desk at (607) 274-1000 or servicedesk@ithaca.edu for assistance in fixing the issue.
The ENS/OWS will be used when it is imperative for the college to contact students, faculty, and staff as quickly as possible. This can include, but is not limited to, cancellation of classes due to severe weather conditions, a fire or a chemical leak requiring the evacuation of a building or closing of a portion of the campus, or an ongoing criminal incident that requires members of the campus community to take action to ensure their safety.
Samm Swarts
Assistant Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management