MSU improves its emergency warning systems

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — In less than a month, Michigan State University students will return to campus. To better prepare them for the semester, campus police and public safety are enhancing the university’s mass notification and alert systems.

The Michigan State University Police Department said it is working hard to improve and expand its existing emergency notification systems and plans to launch a full-scale test next Wednesday to make sure everything is working.

“This includes MSU Alert via text, email, exterior sirens, green lights, emergency phones and landlines on campus,” said MSU Police Chief Chris Rozman. “We know that when there is a critical incident on campus, when there may be an emergency situation, it is so, so important to provide our community with timely information.”

Earlier this month, the university began automatically registering phone numbers in the system, which is designed for accessibility, timeliness and accuracy.

“Some people may have their phone on silent, and we can then reach them through an outside speaker or tone,” Rozman said.

In addition to the 650 Green Light emergency phones and eight outdoor sirens, MSU has implemented a new system that provides sound to all computers on campus in the event of an emergency.

Next week’s test does not replace the annual test in the fall semester.

“We just want our community to know that we are transparent,” Rozman said. “And we will provide accurate and timely information and that we are the source of accurate information in these situations.”