Following concern over glitches in the CapAlert system that led to students receiving the same message many times or in some cases not at all, a
new service provider hopes to make CapAlert more accessible to the students who need it.
Not too long ago, some students expressed concerns after CapAlert’s failure to report thefts that had taken place.
Capital is now partnering with Rave Mobile Safety to better communicate emergencies to everyone involved with Capital, including students, faculty, and contracted workers such as Parkhurst employees.
“Through its simplified, one-stop approach to emergency notification across many communication platforms,” Nichole Johnson, director of public relations, said in a recent email, “Rave will help Capital respond and communicate more efficiently during emergencies that pose an ongoing and significant risk to the health and safety of those on its campuses.”
“I wouldn’t say it was a bad system before,” Senior Bob Reynolds said. “But I can definitely see where it needed improvement.”
This new service offers broader coverage and hopes to encompass everyone at Capital rather than leaving a few students or staff out of the loop, such as the students in the University of Dayton program.
“I think this is a good idea,” Senior Alex Broshious said. “We needed a better way to know what’s going on here on campus.”
Student can also sign parents and other important people up for the new alert system.
“The new system also allows subscribers to register multiple communication devices or alternative email accounts — up to four,” Johnson said. “Most people don’t have four cell phones or email accounts, so users can register a parent’s or spouse’s cell phone in addition to theirs.”
The new system utilizes all the notification methods that students are used to such as email, texts, and Big Voice – that booming pre-recorded voice that emanates from the roof of Yochum.
The new system also uses voices messages and notifications on all office, lab, and classroom computes. It also provides notifications on Capital’s CCTV channels 2 and 3.
CapAlert will also send notifications on social media accounts via Facebook, Twitter, and RSS.
To sign up for this new service, students can visit capalert.capital.edu and sign up using their ID number and password. Students who havd never subscribed to CapAlert should first go to WebAdvisor and sign up for it under their Academic Profile.
