Penn State Behrend Offering Emergency Text Messaging Service
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, has added an emergency alert text messaging service to help get information to students, faculty and staff during crisis situations.
Messages were sent to the Penn State Behrend community on Thursday with instructions on how to sign up for the service, which will be used only to deliver urgent information in the event of a campus emergency. Penn State Behrend community members must opt-in to receive emergency text messages.
The system will only be used to deliver emergency notices about Penn State Behrend, such as college closures, class delays, and other crisis situations.
This is an expansion of the existing PSUTXT text messaging system, which began at Penn State University Park last August. In light of last week’s tragedy at Virginia Tech, all Penn State campuses have been added to the system.
“The horrible events at Virginia Tech have highlighted the importance of rapid and accurate communications during emergencies,” said Jack Burke, chancellor of Penn State Behrend. “This addition of cell phone text messaging to relay important information is a valuable communication tool for the college.”
Along with the new text messaging ability, the college’s emergency communication channels include www.behrend.psu.edu, telephone, e-mail, and automated emergency messages at the college’s main phone number, 814-898-6000.
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, offers 32 baccalaureate, six associate, four pre-professional and two graduate degree programs with 22 minors to 4,000 students. Focused on providing a student-centered environment, Penn State Behrend is the link that connects its students to a major research and land-grant institution on a campus enriched by more than 110 clubs and organizations, 21 NCAA varsity teams, 19 intramural sports and modern facilities. For more information, visit www.behrend.psu.edu.