KU to test public address emergency alert system May 29


LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will conduct a campuswide test of its public address emergency alert system at noon Wednesday, May 29. This test will feature voice alerts through the system.

During the test, a three-second alert tone will sound, followed by the test message. Building occupants should continue with normal activities during the test.

Speakers for the public address system have been installed in and around nearly all of KU’s buildings, reaching 98 percent of KU’s academic areas. The buildings comprise the highest concentrations of students, faculty and staff.

The public address system is one part of the university’s multitiered emergency notification strategy, which also includes the following:

  • Email alerts: The university’s emergency broadcast system can reach more than 33,000 KU email accounts.
  • Webpage alerts: The university will use KU Alerts as a centralized location for information updates.
  • Established protocols to use local media to help inform the public in the event of an ongoing crisis.

For students, the text message system is “opt-out,” meaning student cell phone numbers are automatically subscribed to this system unless the student unsubscribes. Faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up using the process posted at KU Alerts.

For this test, only the public address system will be activated.

The university also maintains the 864-SNOW hotline that is activated if bad weather forces the delay or cancellation of classes on campus.

Tue, 05/28/2019

author

Andy Hyland

Media Contacts

Andy Hyland

Office of Public Affairs

785-864-7100