KU News Release

KU takes first step toward creating emergency text messaging system

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas today will take the first step toward building a comprehensive emergency communication system by establishing a text message process, one of several emergency communications methods being implemented by KU.

Students, staff and faculty will receive an e-mail today directing them to a secure Web site where they can login using their university ID to update their emergency contact information and submit their cellular phone number and service provider. To participate in a text messaging system, they must provide a cell number and provider.

The second step will come later when the university selects a text messaging system. The university is evaluating several text messaging systems and will implement a new system in the near future. Other communications systems are being reviewed for implementation.

“All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take a few minutes to provide this important information before leaving campus this spring. This is the very earliest we could start collecting the numbers and provider information needed to make a text messaging system work,” said Marlesa Roney, vice provost for Student Success. “We wanted to start now so we can have a system that is tested and up and running before the students return.”

Students, staff and faculty also can go to the university home page at www.ku.edu. An “emergency contact” link will take users to a site to provide a cell phone number and provider as well as primary emergency contacts, updated phone numbers and addresses.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.