Emergency Communications

In an emergency, Bridgewater State University sends emergency alerts to anyone with a BSU e-mail account electronically.  In addition, BSU has a system to rapidly communicate with students, faculty, and staff by sending a voice message and instant text message. While the system is active, it is only as good as the information it contains. This is where we need your help! 

In order to send you emergency text messages and voice mail alerts, you must provide cellular phone information.  Please login to INFOBEAR and update your contact information.  We will only contact you through the system in the event of an emergency.

For detailed instructions on how to update your cellular phone number in InfoBear, see below.

     

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Bridgewater State University’s campus-wide emergency notification system?

The University has contracted with Honeywell to use their Instant Alert Plus emergency mass notification system. The Instant Alert Plus product improves the University’s ability to effectively communicate with the campus using land-line phones, cellular phones, voicemail, e-mail, and text messages. The Instant Alert Plus system can push out thousands of alert messages within minutes to help ensure the safety of everyone at Bridgewater State University during an emergency.

What kind of alerts will be sent?

This system will only be used to distribute information regarding emergencies that dictate immediate action.  An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to the health and safety of the campus community or significantly disrupts its programs and activities.  Examples of alerts include cancellation of classes due to a fire or a chemical leak requiring the evacuation of a building, or an ongoing criminal incident that requires members of the campus community to take action to ensure their safety. (This system will not be used to announce snow day closures.) The alert message will direct you where to go for further information or what action to take. Less urgent messages will be sent using the campus e-mail system. Following a warning, the alert system will be used to provide additional messages or an "all clear" announcement.  However, test alerts will be sent on a routine basis - the exact frequency of which has not yet been defined.

What information do you need from me?

We need just your cellular phone number.  If you do not have a cellular phone, please enter the best number to reach you in an emergency.

Why do you need my cell phone number?

Because students, faculty and staff are constantly on the move, this new system provides the flexibility for you to receive emergency messages on multiple devices including text messages to your cell phone. The system will be used along with other tools including e-mail, the University Web site, campus media and other methods.

Will I receive information other than emergency alerts from the campus-wide emergency notification system?

No. Bridgewater State University only intends to use the campus-wide emergency notification system for emergency situations that threaten the safety of the Bridgewater State University community or significantly disrupts programs and activities.

What if I don’t own a cell phone?

If you do not have a cellular phone, please enter the best number to reach you in an emergency. The University will still send you messages about campus emergencies through other channels.  For example, voice messages will be sent to your dorm and/or home phone.   

How does the Emergency Notification System work?

The Emergency Notification System is a hosted and managed service, so you will not need special hardware or software to receive messages. It is a multi-modal service that can disseminate emergency messages through:

  • E-mail: An alert message will be sent to your official campus e-mail address.
  • Web: During an emergency, details and updated information will be provided on the University home page at www.bridgew.edu
  • Voice Message, SMS Text Messages: Faculty, staff, and students who choose to register their mobile phone numbers in InfoBear will receive both voice and SMS text messages.
  • Other systems: Other campus systems may be involved in broadcasting emergency information.

How do I submit my mobile phone information for the campus-wide emergency notification system?

To update your contact information, follow these simple steps:

1. Login to INFOBEAR with your Banner User ID and PIN, as you do to register for courses or check grades. If you need assistance logging in, please visit IT Support Services in Moakley and bring your BSU Connect card.

2. From the main menu, click Personal Information

3. From the Personal Information menu, select Update Addresses and Phones

4. Click Current, Primary, or Cellular phone to enter or update your contact information. 

5. Enter your current cellular phone number. If you do not have a cell phone, enter the best number to reach you in an emergency.

 

To view a short video demonstration of how to update your number in InfoBear, click the image below.


 

What if I do not know my PIN to login to InfoBear to update my contact information?

Your PIN can be changed on the Web, and we encourage you to make the change to a number (4 to 6 digits required) you can remember. If you have forgotten your 8-digit Banner ID or Banner PIN, on-line help is now available at www.bridgew.edu/bannerid.  If a student misplaces his or her PIN, he or she may obtain it at the Office of the Registrar. A picture ID is required. If a faculty or staff member misplaces his or her PIN, he or she may obtain it at the Office of Human Resources. A picture ID is required.

Who will get notified with the campus-wide emergency notification system?

All Students and employees of the University will receive emergency notification in some way.  Messages may be sent using text messaging, voice messages, and/or email.  However only those with updated cell phone in InfoBear can be contacted via text messages.

How do I change my contact information in the campus-wide emergency notification system?

Follow the same instructions above used for submitting contact information. 

Who is authorized to send messages out using the campus-wide emergency notification system?

Messages will be distributed only by trained University staff from the offices that typically deal directly with campus emergencies.   And only following approval from executive management.

What steps are taken to ensure the information I submit is secure?

The contact information submitted for use with the campus-wide emergency notification system is stored locally at Bridgewater State University in the administrative computer system (Banner) which is protected by multiple layers of physical and technological security. Access to that data is limited to authorized University staff. Your contact information is then transmitted via secure socket layer (SSL) technology to the vendor, Honeywell.  The physical location of the data also has multiple layers of security to protect the data once it is in their system.

Will my contact information be sold to telemarketers?

NO.  Honeywell (nor its affiliates) will not sell personally identifiable information (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) to any companies or persons outside of Bridgewater State University, EVER! For more information, see the BSU Privacy Policy (http://it.bridgew.edu/Policy/webprivacy.cfm)

What number will be reflected on my caller ID when an alert is issued?

When a BSU Alert is issued via the campus-wide emergency notification system, caller ID will show that you are receiving a call from 508-531-1000.

What e-mail address will be reflected when an alert is issued?

The “from” address of an emergency e-mail message sent from Bridgewater State University via the campus-wide emergency notification system will appear as: Emergency@bridgew.edu

What should I do if I receive an emergency call or e-mail from the campus-wide emergency notification system?

If you receive an emergency message via campus-wide emergency notification system, do the following:

  1. Listen to or read the ENTIRE message.
  2. Take the message seriously.
  3. Follow any instructions given in the message.

What other emergency notification systems are used at Bridgewater State University?

Currently, Bridgewater State University makes use of any or all of the following systems depending on the specific emergency:

  • Phone calls & voicemail
  • E-mail & LISTSERV lists
  • Fire alarm systems
  • Outdoor sirens

What else should I know about emergency preparedness?

As always, we strive to keep Bridgewater State University a safe place; however emergencies and disasters can always occur. Every individual should be prepared both at Bridgewater State University and at home. Visit www.ready.gov for information on individual emergency preparedness.


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