Frequently Asked Questions
About The
CCSU Emergency Notification System

1. What is "CCSU Emergency Notification System"?
   Central Connecticut State University, working in conjunction with the CSU System, has purchased an emergency notification system that utilizes an off-site service (MIR3, a leading national firm in emergency notification) to provide quick distribution of time-sensitive emergency messages to multiple devices selected by the subscriber (i.e., text messages, email, phone call, etc.). Central's emergency notification system is called CCSU Emergency Notification System.
    
2. What types of emergencies are covered?
   The CCSU Emergency Notification System is intended for use in the case of major University-wide emergencies. These might include a major fire; hazardous material spill; major weather incident (i.e., tornado, hurricane); campus safety issue; campus closing due to severe winter weather; and other events that impact the entire campus. More contained situations (i.e., kitchen fire in one dormitory) would be handled in other ways, and students, faculty, and staff would be contacted using communications systems other than CCSU Emergency Notification System, such as a campus crime advisory or an inclement weather warning.
    
3. How do I sign up?
   You can access the CCSU Emergency Notification System website directly by visiting https://www.mir3.com/ccsu/.
    
4. My CCSU email is forwarded to my personal email account. What steps do I need to take?
   You should adjust the settings for your spam filter to accept email from "mir3.com". You should continue to use your CCSU email address as your username to login to the registration page.
    
5. What types of devices can I sign up for?
   Cell phone; SMS text; landlines (home phones, off-campus business phones); and email addresses. Please note that the system is set up to notify the people who live, work, and study on the CCSU campus each day. Sending a message to your home phone in Glastonbury or Chicago will not help us to notify you on campus, so you should consider what communication devices are accessible to you while you are here.
    
6. Why can't I be notified by my office phone at Central?
   Based on an analysis of the available trunk lines throughout the CSU System, it has been determined that a broadcast emergency message sent to campus office phones would tax our telecommunication system. We want to keep Central's landlines open for internal emergency communications. Other devices are recommended for on-campus notification.
    
7. What are the costs?
   While subscribing to the service is free of charge, any charges currently associated with your cell phone or other telecommunication service that you subscribe to will be applicable (i.e., when receiving/sending text messages from/to the CCSU Emergency Notification System). If you are charged for incoming text or voice messages, those charges would apply and be levied by your service provider. By subscribing to the CCSU Emergency Notification System service, you are acknowledging that you are responsible for any such charges that are incurred.
    
8. Will my parents be notified?
   The Emergency Notification System depends entirely on the contact information you provide. If phones or other devices you list are those of your parents, then those devices will receive messages as well.
    
9. Is my privacy compromised?
   No. The system uses MIR3, Inc., a third-party, proprietary vendor off site. No personal data other than the contact information that you provide is gathered (i.e., cell phone number or email). In addition, MIR3 does not have rights to sell, disclose, or trade your contact information. Only the University employees who administer the system will also have access to your contact information. No other access will be allowed except as may be required by law.
    
10. How will I know when a message is from the CCSU Emergency Notification System system?
    Emails, voice messages, and text messages will indicate, "CCSU EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM" followed by an event-specific message (i.e., weather closing, hazmat alert, etc.). The phone number on incoming messages to your cell phone will be (866) 609-8026.
     
11. Can I have my cell phone on in class?
    Rules regarding cell phone use in class are at the discretion of the faculty.
     
12. Does this make me safe?
    No emergency notification system can guarantee your safety. The CCSU Emergency Notification System is a communication tool. The intent is to use it to provide quick notification of emergency situations to everyone who signs up for the system.
     
13. What action should I take if I do receive a CCSU ENS alert?
    In some instances no immediate action is necessary other than to be aware of the situation. In other instances you may be directed to leave an area or to seek shelter. In either case, help spread the word by telling those around you what is happening-word-of-mouth is an important form of notification. Notifying others by word-of-mouth (rather than by phone) leaves more phone lines open for the ENS to utilize.
     
14. Should I call 9-1-1 or the Police Department for More Information?
    Definitely not--unless you have information that is pertinent to the emergency. The communication dispatchers will undoubtedly be busy coordinating the various emergency responders. Moreover, if you are calling only to find out more information, your call may prevent the receipt of information that is helpful - perhaps even life-saving.
     
15. How should I respond or reply to ENS emergency messages?
    Most emergency messages from the CCSU Emergency Notification System do not require an acknowledgment.  As noted above, the message itself may contain some action items for you (to leave a certain building, for example, or to view the CCSU website for additional information). However, some messages may include response options.  Please see this page for response instructions for those instances.
     
16. What types of messages can I expect to see?
    Messages will be short. Sample messages include:
    -    CCSU Emergency Notification System. CCSU will close early today (date & time). Check www.CCSU.edu for updates.
    -    CCSU Emergency Notification System. An evacuation has been ordered for (name of building). Leave the _____________ at once. Check www.CCSU.edu for updates.
     
17. What happens when an emergency or emergency situation is over?
    Once an emergency is over, two things will happen:
    1.  The system will stop sending the original emergency message, and any devices not contacted before the termination notice will not receive that emergency message.
    2. The message initiator will send a separate emergency notification announcing that the emergency is over.
     
18. Can I change my contact preferences? Does the University correct my contact information or must I do that?
    Only you can enter and update your contact information. The University cannot do that for you. You can edit your contact information at any time by logging into your account and updating the information. To do so, go to https://www.mir3.com/ccsu/.
     
19. Will the University test the system? If so, when will I know that?
    The University will conduct periodic tests of the CCSU Emergency Notification System. Notification of scheduled tests will be via CCSU email. All emergency test messages will be identified as such.
     
20. When will you deactivate my subscription?
    Your contact information will be removed from the CCSU Emergency Notification System when your affiliation with the University changes (i.e., students graduate or employees change their employment status). You can set up the registration expiration data during the subscription process.
     
21. Do you have instructions to assist me in signing up for CCSU Emergency Notification System?
    Yes. Go to http://www.ccsu.edu/ENS/default.htm for details.
     
22. Who is responsible for declaring an emergency and sending out an alert?
    The CCSU Police Department usually will initiate emergency notifications, although the Office of the President and the Office of Marketing & Communications have the authority and ability to issue alerts as well. If you have an emergency, or encounter an emergency situation on campus, you should immediately call 9-1-1.
     
23. What else does Central have in place to ensure campus safety?
    The CCSU Emergency Notification System is one of a number of safety procedures, communications tools, and other technologies the University has in place as part of its overall incident response plan. In addition to MIR3 services, CCSU communications includes all-campus emails, an emergency website, the Whelen outdoor broadcast system, and other communications strategies. CCSU also has a trained police force/first-response team, an around-the-clock public safety communications center, and the availability of emergency responders from New Britain and the surrounding region as well as the Connecticut State Police.
     
24. Who can I contact for more information?
    Email CCSUENS@ccsu.edu or call the Office of Marketing & Communications at (860) 832-0065.