About APPSTATE-ALERT
Register for APPSTATE-ALERT
APPSTATE-ALERT is the Appalachian State University 24/7 emergency messaging system. Registering for APPSTATE-ALERT text and/or voice messaging is quick and easy - and it just might save your life.
Register for APPSTATE-ALERT
Carrier Support
Cell phone carrier support for APPSTATE-ALERT includes:
| Carrier | Voice | Text |
| Alltel | Y | Y |
| AT&T Wireless | Y | Y |
| Boost Mobile | Y | Y |
| Carolina West Wireless | Y | |
| Cellular One | Y | Y |
| Cingular | Y | Y |
| Nextel | Y | Y |
| Sprint | Y | Y |
| T-Mobile | Y | Y |
| US Cellular | Y | Y |
| Verizon | Y | Y |
This list was last updated on February 19, 2008. Carriers not listed above may still be supported, especially for voice messaging.
APPSTATE-ALERT IS COMPATIBLE with all local and long distance cell phone area codes, however, it IS NOT COMPATIBLE with international cell numbers.
Questions?
Questions or comments regarding APPSTATE-ALERT, or regarding the registration of cell phone numbers with APPSTATE-ALERT, should be emailed to montaldipa@appstate.edu.
APPSTATE-ALERT is the Appalachian State University 24/7 emergency messaging system. Using a combination of text messaging, voice messaging, email, and web technologies, APPSTATE-ALERT is designed to provide Appalachian students, faculty and staff members with timely information in the event of a campus emergency. Cell phone text and voice messages will only be sent by the University when an emergency exists that is considered an "imminent threat." An "imminent threat" is defined as a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the life safety of the campus community.
How does APPSTATE-ALERT work?
In the event of a campus emergency, emergency notifications will be distributed to students, faculty and staff members using any or all of the following methods:
- Text Messaging: Emergency notifications will be sent as text messages to all cell numbers registered with APPSTATE-ALERT as "Emergency Cell-Text."
- Voice Messaging: Emergency notifications will be sent as voice messages to all cell numbers registered with APPSTATE-ALERT as "Emergency Cell-Voice."
- Email: Emergency notifications will be sent to every appstate.edu email address.
- Web: Emergency notifications will be posted on emergency.appstate.edu, in addition to the latest campus safety information including emergency contact numbers, emergency preparedness information, etc.
Further emergency notifications may be sent as needed to provide the latest information.
How will I know that an incoming text/voice message is from APPSTATE-ALERT?
Emergency messages sent to registered cell phone numbers will display a Caller ID of "828-262-8000." The body of a text message will also contain the verbiage "AlertNow Message."
If a text message is filed in your Inbox, it may be identified by the SMS Operator ID number "556-29."
Who can participate in APPSTATE-ALERT?
APPSTATE-ALERT is available to all Appalachian State University students, faculty and staff members.
If you have an appstate.edu email address, you will automatically receive emergency notifications via email. If you wish to receive emergency notifications to your cell phone via text and/or voice messaging, you must register for APPSTATE-ALERT text and/or voice messaging. To be eligible to receive notifications via text messaging, your cell phone must also be capable of receiving text messages and the text messaging feature for your cell phone must be enabled by your carrier.
APPSTATE-ALERT IS COMPATIBLE with all local and long distance cell phone area codes, however, it IS NOT COMPATIBLE with international cell numbers.
If you decide to participate in APPSTATE-ALERT, there is no guarantee of delivery of emergency text or voice messages, since the demands on local cell towers are outside the University's control. In the event of an actual emergency, thousands of text messages may be sent. Congestion at your service provider may delay or prevent the delivery of these messages.
How much does APPSTATE-ALERT cost?
Appalachian State University does not charge for participation in APPSTATE-ALERT. However, if you choose to receive emergency notifications via text and/or voice messaging, you agree to incur any applicable costs from your carrier for receiving these messages.
How does APPSTATE-ALERT protect my privacy?
All cell phone numbers that are registered with APPSTATE-ALERT for emergency notification purposes are confidential. For employees (including faculty, staff, and administrators), they are protected by the State Personnel Act; for students, they are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA"). The contract with Saf-T-Net (aka AlertNow), the entity that provides the notification system, specifies that the cell phone numbers are confidential and will be protected as such.
In addition, cell phone numbers registered with APPSTATE-ALERT will be used solely for the purpose of emergency notification. Appalachian will only send emergency notification messages when an emergency exists that is considered an "imminent threat." An "imminent threat" is defined as a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the life safety of the campus community.
How can I register for APPSTATE-ALERT text and/or voice messaging?
Registering your cell phone numbers with APPSTATE-ALERT is quick and easy. Just update your Emergency Contacts in Banner Self Service. (This system is also available within AppalNET.) Please follow these instructions for how to register for APPSTATE-ALERT text and/or voice messaging.
Page last updated March 4, 2008.
