MTSU plans to conduct its monthly tornado siren test on campus and at the Miller Coliseum Complex on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5, at 11:20 a.m.

The test, conducted by the University Police Department, once again is a brief opportunity to ensure MTSU’s outdoor warning system is working as needed.

No safety actions are necessary, and because the university will be closed for the Labor Day holiday, no campus activities will be affected.

If there’s hazardous weather near or approaching campus at the scheduled test time, however, the sirens won’t be tested.

MTSU notifies its campus and surrounding neighborhoods before each siren test. The university uses a “first Monday” monthly tornado-siren testing schedule to minimize distractions for the campus and its neighbors.

Under the plan, even if a siren test date falls on a university holiday, the department will still conduct the scheduled test.

Members of the campus community can prepare for emergency weather by checking MTSU’s list of recommended shelters at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUTornadoShelters. The complete siren-testing schedule also is available at http://mtsunews.com/tornado-siren-testing.

Remember: When there’s a weather emergency, all students, faculty and staff automatically receive a Rave Mobile Safety alert at their MTSU email addresses. The university’s tornado sirens are intended to alert those who may be outdoors during dangerous weather.

MTSU community members who also want to be notified via text ]and/or voice message from the university’s Rave alert system can use the “click here and log in” link at http://mtsunews.com/weather to begin those alerts.

For status updates on MTSU anytime, visit https://mtsu.edu.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)

A tree uprooted by high winds in an electrical storm blocks a city street in this file image from Pixabay. Middle Tennessee State University plans to test its tornado siren system on campus and at the Miller Coliseum complex, weather permitting, at 11:20 a.m. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. The university tests tornado siren system on the first Monday of every month at 11:20 a.m. to ensure it’s in working operation if dangerous weather approaches the area. (image by Jan Mallande/Pixabay)