How does the Connect-ED® for Higher ED notification service work?
The Connect-ED service gives MSJC access to phone and internet services powerful enough to rapidly disseminate thousands of messages via voice messaging, text messagine, and email in a time-sensitive situation. To use this service phone numers and email addresses must be loaded into the Connect-ED system. The multi-modal service will be used to reach out to students, faculty and staff when an emergency or disaster has affected operations of a campus, via: devices. In all, the multi-modal service helps officials reach out to students and staff via:
- Voice messages to home phones, work phones, cell phones, and email systems
- Text messages to cell phones, PDAs and other text-based devices
- Written messages to e-mail accounts
- Messages to TTY/TDD receiving devices for the hearing impaired
How does the Connect-ED system get access to student and staff contact information?
Blackboard Connect-ED provides an encrypted, online process to securely import a school’s existing data into that school’s account in a secure and reliable manner. The school maintains all data. They have full ownership over that data. Connect-ED also provides a system that allows schools to schedule secured automatic updates as frequently as they like, and/or they can add, remove, and delete individual contacts at their convenience. The data will be loaded from the college Datatel system, maintained by students via their EagleAdvisor accounts.
Additionally, students and staff are encouraged to ensure that their contact information is up-to-date so that the school can contact them should an issue occur. Students can update their phone number by logging into Student EagleAdvisor and clicking on the Verify/Update Your Emergency Phone Number & Educational Goal option.
Does Connect-ED share the school’s information with anyone?
No. Connect-ED does not sell, lease, share, or rent personally identifiable information (names, email addresses, phone numbers, etc.) to any companies or persons outside of Blackboard Connect. You can view their privacy policy at http://www.blackboardconnect.com/about/privacy.asp
What if I change my phone number?
Students can update their phone number by logging into Student EagleAdvisor and clicking on the Verify/Update Your Emergency Phone Number & Educational Goal option. Once the changes have been submitted, the information will be updated in the Emergency Notification System. The update occurs weekly, so changes may not be immediately reflected.
Faculty and staff must use the emergency system data collection process identified to them in an email.
What is SMS messaging?
SMS is an acronym for Short Message Service, and is a system for sending short textual messages to devices such as cellular phones. Also known as text messaging, SMS messaging is a fast, robust, and reliable means of communicating information quickly. Among other advantages, SMS messaging puts less load on cellular circuits than voice communication, and allows near-instantaneous dissemination of important information.
At MSJC, the system will not be used for text messaging until the student data collection screens are in place in the Fall of 2009.
Will I be reimbursed for text messaging expenses?
Text messaging for students will not be implemented until Fall 2009. However, once implemented, standard text messaging costs will apply. A student cannot opt out of voice messaging. When student text messaging is implemented in Fall 2009, students will be given the information to opt out of text messaging.
Whom can I contact with questions, comments, or concerns about the Emergency Messaging System?
For questions, comments, and concerns about the Emergency Notification System, email alert@MSJC.edu.
Can my parents / spouse / etc. sign up for the Emergency Notification System?
At the present time, only current MSJC students, faculty, and staff participate in the Emergency Notification System.
How do I opt-out of the Emergency Notification service?
A student cannot opt out of voice messaging. When student text messaging is implemented in Fall 2009, students will be given the information to opt out of the text messaging portion of the emergency notification system.
How long is my emergency notification information kept? What happens to this information when I leave MSJC?
Student information is deleted at the end of the last term of enrollment. Faculty and staff information will be removed from the emergency notification system upon separation from the college. If MSJC elects to end the relationship with the Blackboard Connect-ED vendor, all information will be securely deleted from their systems.
What contact information should I provide?
Connect-ED allows storing of up to six phone numbers and two e-mail addresses. For students, MSJC will use the emergency contact number you provided at the Verify/Update my Emergency Phone Number and my Ed Goal option on EagleAdvisor, and we will use the MSJC student email @student.msjc.edu.
New data collection screens will be available in the Fall 2009 that will allow for more phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and text messaging services. At that time, you will be able to add an alternate e-mail address you use frequently (hotmail, yahoo mail, e.g.), a cell phone number representing your text messaging device, and other telephone numbers (cell, parent(s), spouse, home, e.g.) you would like to receive the emergency voice message.
Please make sure that you have prior permission to add contact information for any individual other than yourself. Misuse of the Emergency Notification System by placing unauthorized contact information constitutes a violation of Mt. San Jacinto College policies.
For faculty and staff, information will be provided regarding the data collection process.
Can I provide an international/overseas telephone number for a contact?
Voice and text messages will only be sent to 10-digit telephone numbers within the United States. E-mail messages can be sent to any valid e-mail address.
Will I get the same message by telephone, text message and e-mail?
They will all contain the most important information and instructions. Because of length limitations, the text and phone messages will be shorter.
Why are you using more than one way to get an emergency message?
An emergency can happen at any time and while you are in any place. Having more than one way for Mt. San Jacinto College to contact you helps ensure that you will get the necessary notification and information as quickly as possible.
How is an emergency being defined?
Mt. San Jacinto College will only use the emergency notification system when it is imperative to contact students, faculty and staff as quickly as possible. This can include, but is not limited to, cancellation of classes due to a weather-related incident, a fire or a chemical leak requiring the evacuation of a building or closing of a portion of the campus, or an ongoing criminal incident that requires members of the campus community to take action to ensure their safety.
Who will send the emergency messages?
The Emergency Notification System is part of Mt. San Jacinto College’s overall emergency planning effort. The determination to send a message will be made by top college administrative officials or campus safety officials. The actual message will be sent by a college official that is part of the emergency response team, which includes representation from a variety of departments, including the Offices of the President, Student Services, Campus Police, Information Technology, and Public Information.
How will my contact information be used?
The information you provide will only be used for the Emergency Notification System. It will be kept private and confidential, and not shared by Mt. San Jacinto College or Blackboard Connect-Ed with any other entities.
Where does the phone number you are using come from?
For students, MSJC will use the emergency contact number you provided at the Verify/Update my Emergency Phone Number and my Ed Goal option on EagleAdvisor, and we will use the MSJC student email @student.msjc.edu.
New data collection screens will be available in the Fall 2009 that will allow for more phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and text messaging services. At that time, you will be able to add an alternate e-mail address you use frequently (hotmail, yahoo mail, e.g.), a cell phone number representing your text messaging device, and other telephone numbers (cell, parent(s), spouse, home, e.g.) you would like to receive the emergency voice message.
For faculty and staff, information will be provided regarding the data collection process
I heard that my classmate received a voice message from Mt. San Jacinto College but I did not. Why?
It is possible that we do not have your accurate contact information loaded in Connect-ED. Please visit my.msjc.edu, log into EagleAdvisor, and use the Verify/Update my Emergency Phone Number and my Ed goal option to update your contact phone number.
Can I sign up to receive (SMS) text messages on more than one cell phone?
The text messaging option for emergency notification will be implemented in Fall 2009. The system allows for text messaging at one cell phone number. You can opt to receive voice messages on multiple phone numbers. New data collection screens will be available that will allow for multiple numbers, beginning in Fall 2009.
Can I receive both text and voice messages on the same cell phone?
In Fall 2009, when service is expanded to text messages, you will be able to receive a voice message and a text message on the same cell phone.
I did not receive a confirmation text message on my cell phone. What happened?
MSJC will implement the text messaging portion of the system in Fall 2009. At that time, new data input screens will be available to accurately inform you of emergency notification system options, and allow you to enter your contact information accordingly.
If I change cell phone providers, do I need to update my contact information?
No. As long as your phone number does not change, it stays registered within the system.
I received the message in my e-mail inbox, but when I clicked the link to play the message nothing happened. Why?
You may not have a default media player like Windows Media Player or QuickTime installed. Download a player from www.microsoft.com or www.apple.com and install on your computer to listen to messages.
When I answered my phone I received the message but missed the information. What should I do?
If you are receiving the message live, you can replay it by pressing the star key (*) at the end of the message. If you are retrieving the message on your voicemail, follow your voice messaging system’s prompts to listen to the message again. You can also check your e-mail to locate the link to listen to that message.
I received the phone message but it kept looping/repeating. Why?
The system does its best to detect whether it has reached a live person or an answering machine/voicemail. Sometimes loud ambient noises may cause the system to loop. If this happens, use the mute feature on your phone or move to a quieter location to prevent the message from looping or repeating.
I see a caller ID display of (951) 487-3278 on my phone. Who is this?
When Mt. San Jacinto College sends a call out using Connect-ED, it will always display Caller ID information. The number listed is that of the Mt. San Jacinto College Emergency Hotline. There is no need to call that number; it will direct you to receive additional information at the college website at www.msjc.edu
Can I unsubscribe from the Emergency Notification System?
No. Students, faculty and staff cannot opt-out of voice messaging services. All students, faculty and staff will receive e-mail messages on their (student).msjc.edu account through the system. Faculty and staff will receive voice messages on the office phone number listed for them in the campus directory. Students will receive voice messages on the number identified to the college as the student emergency contact number.
When text-messaging systems are implemented in Fall 2009, you will be able to opt-out of the text messaging portion of the system.
When you update your contact information, please note that your changes will not be available to the notification system for up to seven days. Information is loaded to the emergency notification system weekly.
What is Connect-Ed?
Connect-Ed is a division of the NTI Group, a company that provides comprehensive communication systems designed to enable the rapid dissemination of critical information via voice and text devices. The NTI Group’s services are used by local, regional, state, and federal government entities and agencies as well as by private institutions. For more information, visit www.ntigroup.com/products/higher-ed.asp.