Valdosta State University uses the Rave Mobile Safety system to broadcast emergency alerts and to provide campus leaders and safety professional with the ability to reach students, faculty, and staff via telephone (cellular and land-line), email, and text messaging. The campus emergency mass notification system is administered by the Emergency Coordinator; however, several VSU departments are involved in the process including the Office of Communications, Environmental and Occupational Safety, Information Technology, and University Police. Only authorized representatives from Environmental and Occupational Safety, Office of Communications, and University Police can send emergency messages using the campus alert system.

VSU’s campus alert system will only be used when there is a severe threat to public safety and health of the entire campus, which has not been contained or controlled, and when immediate action is required on the part of the recipients (e.g. chemical spills impacting public health, school closing, tornado warnings, active shooters, etc.). Once the situation receives an “all clear” by the proper authorities, the updated information will be posted on the VSU website at  www.valdosta.edu. The campus alert system will not be used for non-emergency notifications such as lane closures, routine crime updates, localized building emergencies, situations that have been contained or where a threat does not exist, rumor control, and situations where notification is merely a convenience or when VSU’s main website is a more appropriate communication method. The campus alert system will not replace VSU’s main website (www.valdosta.edu) for non-urgent messages. The campus alert system will be tested twice a year during spring and fall semesters.

Instructions on how VSU faculty, staff, and students can sign-up to receive a campus alert message (via the mass campus notification system) are located at  www.valdosta.edu/vsu/editalertinfo/ . Students can indicate one campus alert primary number in the Banner system under “Personal Information,” VSU recommends cellular telephone numbers. Additionally, numbers associated with local, mailing, and permanent addresses will be used as appropriate. VSU faculty and staff should provide their main (department), business (desk), and cellular telephone information via the Employee Self Service system, which should be updated periodically. Email notifications are sent to the VSU email address assigned to each student and employee.

For students, the telephone number listed in their records as their local, mailing, or permanent telephone number is uploaded into the system in addition to a given specific campus alert number. For faculty and staff, the office telephone number as listed within Human Resources will be automatically uploaded into the mass campus notification system.

The primary number is the one most likely to reach you when you are on VSU property. For most people, this will be a cellular number.

The telephone number reflected on your caller identification will be 888-998-0048. You should program this number into your telephone so it will immediately recognize it as an urgent call.

The "from" address will reflect the following: Valdosta State Campus Alert [valdosta@getrave.com]. Please set your spam filters to allow mail from this address

No, the mass notification system utilizes proprietary algorithms designed to maximize the available local switch network for best success of delivery. However, because VSU’s incoming line capacity is limited, calls to VSU may experience a slight delay as compared to those made on a cellular or home telephones. Lines reserved for outgoing calls are not impacted by the incoming emergency warning calls.

Take the warning very seriously as the campus alert system will only be used when there is an immediate threat. Follow the instructions provided and take immediate action. Never attempt to go past barricaded areas.

VSU’s home Web page provides the most recent emergency updates; National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios are located in many VSU office buildings; telephone trees (where assigned individuals call others with emergency messages) can be activated; and announcements are made over police cruiser public address systems when warranted.

It is imperative to keep telephone lines open during an emergency situation. As soon as additional information is available, it will be reflected on the VSU’s home Web page (http://www.valdosta.edu.)

Although college campuses are usually safe places, emergencies and disasters do occur. Individual preparedness is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness and response. Every individual should have an emergency kit and emergency plan, which includes a family communication plan. The plan should be tested periodically. Each campus office and residence hall room should have a NOAA weather radio. Visitwww.ready.gov for information about individual emergency preparedness. Review the Emergency Quick Reference Guide for more information about how to respond to specific types of incidents.