UF to test emergency text messaging on Tuesday, Jan. 15

January 10, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida plans to conduct the first test of its emergency text messaging system for students on Jan. 15.

Recipients should not respond to the test message. Such tests will be conducted annually.

In an emergency, administrators will now be able to send text messages quickly to students, as well as faculty and staff who have provided emergency contact information. Because cell phone numbers provided will be used only in the event of an emergency, they will be kept private and are exempt from Florida’s public records laws.

UF is the first institution in the state and one of the first in the country to adopt the comprehensive text messaging policy. Although many colleges and universities around the country allow students to provide cell phone numbers voluntarily, a recent use of emergency text messaging at a large public university revealed that many students had failed to provide cell phone numbers and did not receive the message.

Text messaging is only one of several methods the university can use for emergency communication. Others include e-mail messages, news releases and postings on the UF home page, so students, faculty and staff should look for announcements through those media as well.

UF faculty and staff may sign up and provide emergency contact information though my.ufl.edu. Click on “My Account” and then “Update Emergency Contact.”

Anyone who has registered his or her emergency contact information but does not receive the test message should go to http://www.it.ufl.edu/sms-test/.