UC Santa Cruz has implemented an emergency notification system to provide students, faculty, and staff with timely information during emergencies. This page provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the new system.
Q: What is CruzAlert?
A: UCSC has implemented an emergency notification system to provide its students, faculty, and staff with timely information and instructions during campus emergencies. The CruzAlert system, which will serve all of UC Santa Cruz (including offices off campus), can deliver voice messages to all phones and text messages to cell phones. The system can also deliver emergency email to UCSC CruzMail accounts.
Q: Why was the system implemented?
The safety of the university community is a top priority at UC Santa Cruz. Recent events, such as the tragedy at Virginia Tech in 2007 and the subsequent shooting at Northern Illinois University, have shown the need for the timely dissemination of information in emergencies such as natural disasters and acts of violence. CruzAlert can help meet the need for urgent communication across our expansive university community.
Q: How does the system work?
A: In the event of a campus emergency, on-scene police and fire department responders will determine whether there is a threat to students, faculty and staff and, if needed, immediately initiate a CruzAlert message.
Q: When will the system be used?
A: Aside from quarterly testing, the system will only be used during actual campus emergencies. Generally, CruzAlert messages will only be sent out if it is necessary for students, faculty and staff to take some specific action to protect themselves, such as leaving/avoiding a certain area or taking other protective measures. Update and all-clear messages may also be sent depending on the situation. The system will not be used for more routine communications and these will continue to be sent using existing communications methods rather than CruzAlert.
Q: Who decides when to send a message?
A: The on-scene Police Department or Fire Department incident commander will determine whether the situation requires a CruzAlert message and will initiate the notification process.
Q: Will the system be used to send other university messages or marketing?
A: No. CruzAlert will only be used to communicate with you during a campus emergency and during quarterly system testing. It will not be used for any routine campus communications or other purposes.
Q: How will the system work with other emergency communication methods?
A: The university has an Emergency Management program to protect lives and property and to continue necessary critical functions. CruzAlert is meant to provide an initial warning of a campus emergency. Due to the limitations of message length with text messaging, CruzAlert messages will direct recipients to visit the university home page (www.ucsc.edu) or Emergency Management webpage (emergency.ucsc.edu), to phone 459-INFO, or to tune to KZSC Radio (88.1 FM) for more information or updates.
Q: Why do you want me to keep my emergency contact information up to date?
A: Accurate contact information is key to the effectiveness of CruzAlert. We simply can't reach you without it.
Q: As a student, how do I update my directory information?
- Please log in to your my.ucsc.edu account
- Then select "Student Center"
- Then scroll to the "Contact Information" box near the bottom of page
- And select the "Phone Numbers" link
- Please list all of your telephone numbers. Doing so will ensure that you receive CruzAlert emergency messages.
Q: As an employee, how do I update my directory information?
Note: For security reasons, updating your CruzAlert information online can only be accessed from a computer connected to the UCSC network.
- Go to http://cruzalert.ucsc.edu/signup
- Log in to CruzAlert with your Employee ID
- Update your contact information
- There are fields for your cell phone, office phone, home phone, TTY, and other phone. There is also a field for an additional email address (may be used if CruzMail is out of service
Q: What is "TTY"?
A: TTY is a short form of the word "teletypewriter," and is a commonly used name for telecommunications devices for the deaf (or TDDs).
Q: Do I have to provide my personal contact information?
A: No, but it limits our ability to reach you with important information in an emergency. Because it is impossible to know now what systems will be operational during an emergency or where you'll be, it's recommended that you offer multiple means of contacting you.
Q: Will the privacy of my personal information be protected?
A: Yes. The system will only be accessible to campus safety and information technology personnel responsible for operating and maintaining the system.
Q: How often will I receive messages?
A: It won't be very often. The system is reserved for emergencies and urgent situations, so it is hoped that the use of the system will be rare. During an emergency, you could receive multiple messages, including the initial message, ongoing updates and then an all-clear message once the emergency has passed. The system will also be tested at least once each quarter.
Q: What should I do if I receive a message?
A: If you receive a message, listen to it or read it carefully and follow any directions without delay. The information is provided for your safety.
Q: What if I have more questions about the CruzAlert system?
A: If you have more questions, please email alert@ucsc.edu.
People involved in development of CruzAlert
Tom Vani, Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services, was the project sponsor for this UCSC project. Chris Gaylord, campus Emergency Manager, and Doug Hartline, an Information Technology Services director, served as co-chairs of the implementation committee. Marian Sherrin served as project manager.
The policy recommendations and project details were executed by the following core team of people:
- Chris Gaylord - Emergency Management
- Doug Hartline - ITS Core Services
- Marian Sherrin - ITS PMG
- Jeff Trapp - UCSC Fire Department
- Mickey Aluffi - UCSC Police Department
- Jim Burns - Public Information Office
- Alma Sifuentes - Student Affairs
- Greg Gaither - ITS App Solutions
- Naomi Gunther - ITS CRM
- Kristin Mattern - Student Rep
- Cathy Schoenfeld - Staff HR
- Nancy Degnan - Academic Personnel
- Ed Titus - ITS Core Tech
- Teri Taylor - Police Dispatch
- Eric Goodman - ITS App Solutions
- Kate Cunningham - Purchasing
- David Hayden - ITS Core Tech
- Penny Davis - Registrar's Office
- Pam Hunt-Carter - Registrar's Office
- Galen Sullivan - ITS App Solutions
- John Guertin - ITS App Solutions
- Tamara Santos - ITS
- Doug Patten - ITS App Solutions
- Kevin Tresham - Student Housing
- John Rocchio - ITS CRM
- Carla Rounds - ITS CRM
- Peter McMillian - ITS CRM
