TrinALERT

The purpose of the TrinALERT system is to enhance the College’s ability to provide timely notification to as many campus community members as possible during an emergency situation and will be used when there is an imminent and on-going threat to the safety of the campus community at large. Note: Parent contacts will be included in notifications only at the discretion of the Emergency Management Team.

Once a designated College official initiates an emergency broadcast, the TrinALERT system allows us to notify the College community of an emergency situation via a number of communication methods, including phone calls, text messages, and e-mails. Messages are sent to all those who have registered for TrinALERT and, by default, all College e-mail addresses. On occasion, you may be asked to confirm receipt of the message or to provide more information (e.g. “press 1 if you are on campus and safe, press 2 if you are off campus…”).

TrinALERT is the primary way that Trinity officials will contact students, faculty, and staff with critical communications during an emergency. Because TrinALERT uses a variety of contact methods, there is a greater likelihood that you will receive messages as soon as possible.

TrinALERT will attempt to reach you several times through some combination of the following methods:

• Cell phone (text and voice messages)
• Trinity office phone
• Default Trinity email account
• Alternative email address (optional)
• Home phone (usually not during system tests)
• Desktop alerts—classroom and public lab computers
• Twitter @TrinityCollege

Desktop Alerts

Computers in classrooms, labs, and public spaces have been upgraded to display a full-screen message when TrinALERT is activated. After reading the alert, simply click the Acknowledge button to dismiss the notification.

Twitter

TrinALERT broadcasts may include tweets sent through Twitter. In addition to registering your phone numbers and e-mail addresses above, we recommend following us on Twitter as a backup means of receiving alerts. Important Twitter update: while previously TrinALERTS have been shared via a @TrinityALERT Twitter account, the Emergency Management Team will now use @TrinityCollege when sending emergency alerts through Twitter. Twitter users: follow @TrinityCollege

You may receive a combination of message types (phone, text, email) and repeated messages as the system cycles through the list of contacts.

1. Get the Message
   Answer your phone to listen to the entire message right away (or open and read the text message or email).
2. Take Action
   Follow the instructions in the message exactly. To keep lines open for those who need help, stay off your cell phone and do not call emergency numbers unless you are calling with emergency information or are in immediate danger.
3. Warn Others & Get Updates
   If it is safe to do so, spread the word. Check your e-mail, phone, the College’s website, and Trinity Today for updates and additional information.

Technical issues? Please contact the Information Services Help Desk at ext. 2100 or submit a ticket online.

Yes. The “urgent voice,” “urgent text,” and “urgent e-mail” contacts that you provide will only be used for emergency purposes. This contact information will not be sold or distributed, and this system will not be used for advertisements.

If you do not have a personal cell phone (from a U.S. provider), TrinALERT can still call your Trinity phone extension (personal office) and send an e-mail to your Trinity account and another, but you must enter these during registration as your “Urgent Phone” and “Urgent E-mail” contacts.

TrinALERT will still call your cell phone with a voice message. Check with your cell phone provider for options to add text messaging services. During most recent large-scale emergencies across the nation, text messages were more likely to be delivered successfully even when cell phone networks became too overloaded to transmit voice calls.

Students who do not wish to participate in the system or wish to un-register will need to discuss this decision with the Dean of Students Office and complete an acknowledgement form.

Simply follow the above instructions to log in to your account any time and update your information. Changes become active when the database is refreshed nightly.

Phone calls from TrinALERT will follow the standard Trinity prefix format: 860-297-####. Text messages will be sent from five-digit “short codes.”

In most cases, TrinALERT will recognize your voicemail and attempt to leave a message.

There is no charge to register for TrinALERT. Your cellular service provider’s standard voice and text messaging charges will apply as determined by your individual service plan.