Henderson State Tries To Knock Out Alert System

Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR recently tried out its new Rave Alert system with a test designed to overtax its network and slow down or interfere with alerts getting through. At 1 p.m. on April 16, in remembrance of the Virginia Tech killings, university students, faculty, and staff were all asked to make outgoing phone calls from their cell phones. Simultaneously, university administrators issued a Rave Alert test to determine how well the system would work even when cell phones were at the peak of usage.

The university considers the test a success with 98 percent of more than 3,000 text messages delivered within 10 seconds. The notification system, supplied by Rave Wireless, allows Henderson to send emergency notifications to subscribers via mobile text alerts, e-mail, and recorded voice messages.

"I am very pleased with the results of the test," said Charles Welch, president of Henderson. "We now have the capability to distribute emergency messages in a matter of seconds. Every second counts in life-threatening situations and we believe this system will greatly enhance the safety of our campus community."

The delivery of e-mails and voice messages was also -successful. The system delivered e-mail messages to 3,460 (91 percent) of addresses provided. All voice messages were sent within four minutes. Eighty-two percent were delivered in two minutes or less, and almost all were delivered in three minutes.

"University students today are living a mobile lifestyle unique to this generation," said Welch. "Rave Alert will enable us to send emergency communications to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, regardless of where everyone is at the time."

The system can distribute an alert to the entire campus community in the case of an emergency, or on a targeted basis such as to students in specific residence halls or enrolled in specific courses.

Rave Alert is being added to the other methods of emergency communication, according to Welch. "We will continue to alert faculty, staff and students of campus emergencies by the methods we currently have, including the campus website, digital displays, and television and radio," he said. "Our hope is to never have to use Rave Alert because of a serious campus emergency, but we will be prepared in case the need arises."

Henderson paid a one-time fee of $3,600 for set-up of Rave Alert and pays an annual fee of $11,000, according to a broadcast news account of the test.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • abstract geometric pattern of glowing interconnected triangles, hexagons, and circles in blue, gold, and white, spread across a dark navy-to-black gradient background

    OpenAI Unveils 'Operator' AI for Performing Web Tasks

    OpenAI has launched "Operator," an AI agent designed to perform web-based tasks autonomously using its own browser. Currently available as a research preview for Pro users in the United States, the tool aims to automate everyday activities such as filling out forms, ordering groceries, and even creating memes.

  • digital bookshelf displayed on a computer screen

    OverDrive, Ex Libris Integration Streamlines Discovery of Digital Content

    OverDrive, a provider of digital resources for schools and libraries, has announced an integration with library management provider Ex Libris that will allow academic institutions to discover the former's e-books and audiobooks within the Alma and Primo library services platforms.

  • interconnected cubes and circles arranged in a grid-like structure

    Hugging Face Gradio 5 Offers AI-Powered App Creation and Enhanced Security

    Hugging Face has released version 5 of its Gradio open source platform for building machine learning (ML) applications. The update introduces a suite of features focused on expanding access to AI, including a novel AI-powered app creation tool, enhanced web development capabilities, and bolstered security measures.

  • futuristic crystal ball with holographic data projections

    Call for Opinions: 2025 Predictions for Higher Ed IT

    How will the technology landscape in higher education change in the coming year? We're inviting our readership to weigh in with their predictions, wishes, or worries for 2025.