MTSU briefly tested its emergency alert system Wednesday, Oct. 25, for the fall semester with a special message for the university’s 26,000-plus registered users via email, text and automated phone calls.

The test of MTSU’s Critical Notification System is conducted three times a year by the University Police Department.

Students, faculty and staff automatically received a test email to ensure the emergency system is working properly. Those who’ve added phone numbers to their notification preferences also received a text message and/or recorded phone call.

Click on the MTSU Police Department’s logo to visit the university’s FAQ page for its critical notifications system and “Alert4U” tips.

The university’s website, www.mtsu.edu, its MTSUNews.com news site, and all digital signage around the Murfreesboro campus displayed the test message just as they do during a real emergency, along with the university’s primary social media channels.

The university’s Twitter account, @MTSUNews, tweeted the test alert, and the alert also posted to the MTSU and university police Facebook pages.

MTSU evaluates its Critical Notification System each semester during and after each test to pinpoint and fix any potential problems.

Previous tests continue to show a near-100 percent message success rate, and digital signage in campus buildings displayed the test alerts within 30 seconds of transmission.

All current MTSU students, faculty and staff can verify and update their Rave notification preferences by using their university usernames and passwords at www.getrave.com/login/mtsu.

You can learn more about MTSU’s Critical Notification System at www.mtsu.edu/alert4u and at its FAQ page, www.mtsu.edu/alert4u/faqs.php. Information about the alert system is also always available on the university’s weather information page, www.mtsunews.com/weather.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)