MTSU will launch its new “first Monday” schedule of tornado-siren testing on campus and at the Miller Coliseum Complex Monday, Aug. 5, at 11:20 a.m.

This will be a brief, routine test of the system, and no action will be required.

If there’s inclement weather in the area at the scheduled test time, the test will be canceled.

The MTSU Police Department decided to begin testing the siren system on the first Monday of each month at 11:20 a.m. to minimize distractions for classes and community neighbors and to create a simpler schedule that’s easier to remember.

If a siren test date falls on a university holiday, the department still will conduct the test at the regular time.

The new siren test schedule is available at http://www.mtsunews.com/tornado-siren-testing.

Members of the campus community can prepare for emergency weather situations anytime by checking MTSU’s list of recommended shelters at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUTornadoShelters.

Remember: When there’s a weather emergency, all students, faculty and staff automatically receive a Rave alert at their MTSU email addresses. MTSU community members who also want text and/or voice alerts should visit www.mtsunews.com/weather and use the “click here and log in” link to make those notification changes.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)