There’s a threatening situation at a business near your building, but you miss the notification because you’re away from your UTHSC email.
You’re walking across campus alone at night, wishing you had someone with you.
You’re headed to the parking garage, and realize no one else is around.
Two new security features coming to UTHSC beginning April 12 will help put your mind at ease in these situations, and ensure that you are as safe as possible wherever you go on campus.
Improved UTHSC Alert System
Enhancements to the UTHSC Alert system will offer new ways to receive emergency notifications, including via campus computers, digital media screens and campus televisions, as well as UTHSC email, text, and the university’s web and social media feeds.
Additionally, as most of us are tied to our smartphones 24/7, text notification remains one of the quickest, most efficient ways to reach people when seconds count. As a result, the UTHSC Alert system now will be tied to the Banner and IRIS information systems, where cell phone information will be stored.
As of April 12, students will be required to add or update their cell phone numbers in Banner. This will be done via a collection page that will automatically appear the first time the student logs in to Banner on or after that date, or if it has been six months since the last cell number update.
Effective immediately, employees must add or update their cell phone numbers in IRIS. Cell phone numbers will not be given out, and will be used only for emergency alerts.
Employees should:
- go to the IRIS portal
- click on “Employee Self-Service”
- click on “Personal Information”
- click on “Personal Profile”
- edit the “Permanent Residence” section
- add their cell number to “Additional Telephone #1”
Employees should do this even if they already have a cell number in the “Primary Telephone” section.
The Rave Guardian Mobile Safety App
The Rave Guardian App allows you to create a virtual safety network of friends, family and even Campus Police. All you need to do is download the app, and sign up with your UTHSC email address.
The app, used as a safety tool on campuses across the country, includes a safety timer that alerts your selected “guardians” if it is not deactivated before it expires. The app also gives you the ability to directly contact Campus Police with GPS location and personal profile information, and to send anonymous crime tip information to Campus Police through text and images.
These improvements are part of a campus-wide safety initiative led by Dr. Ken Brown, executive vice chancellor and chief operations officer at UTHSC.
Launch Parties
To introduce these new features to the campus, and stress the fact that a safe campus takes everyone’s involvement, two events are scheduled. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend UTHSC Alert launch parties April 12 from 11 a.m-1 p.m. in the GEB Café area and April 13 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Madison Plaza, where they will have the opportunity to learn more about these important improvements, update their information and download the Guardian app, if they have not already done so. Doughnuts and giveaways will be offered.