RIT significantly expands campus emergency notification systems

Rochester Institute of Technology has reached an agreement with 3n (National Notification Network), the leading global mass notification system provider, which will significantly expand RIT’s ability to send critical news and information to students, faculty and staff during campus emergencies.

The expanded alert system will debut later this fall. Students, faculty and staff will be able to sign up for the system in coming weeks.

“RIT chose 3n based on the reliability of the technology and the system’s broad range of features, including real-time reporting capabilities,” said Jonathan Maurer, RIT’s Director of Business Operations and Risk Management Services. “3n’s solution leads the industry and will enable RIT to quickly and efficiently communicate with students, faculty and staff in any emergency using a variety of communication methods, including text messaging, instant messaging, e-mail and voice calls to cell phones and dorm phones. The 3n mass notification system will be instrumental in our ability to manage any crisis situation or non-standard condition across the campus.”

According to Cinta Putra, CEO and co-founder of 3n, “We are very pleased that RIT chose 3n after an exhaustive search, which included the possibility of building its own system. RIT’s decision validates that 3n’s Software-as-a-Service model is the best technological choice for organizations that need a scalable, reliable mass notification platform as part of their overall business continuity plans.”

RIT also currently uses several communication tools to reach the university community, including the RIT homepage, University News Web site, broadcast e-mail alerts, broadcast voice-mail messages, a recorded emergency hotline (585) 475-7075 (Voice)/(585) 475-7076 (TTY), a campus radio station and indoor and outdoor electronic message boards.

“Safety and security at our university is of paramount importance,” said RIT President Bill Destler. “We are constantly vigilant about improving safety procedures and policies at RIT. Our community can be assured that we will use the 3n mass notification system and couple it with well planned, tested, and reviewed continuity and contingency plans. The partnership with 3n adds additional effective communication channels in RIT’s layered approach to disseminate information.”

The initiative to improve emergency communications pre-dates the tragedy at Virginia Tech. 3n announced a partnership with Virginia Tech in June.

3n (National Notification Network), based in Glendale, Calif., is the leading global provider of mass notification solutions to Global 2000 corporations, government agencies, healthcare systems, and educational institutions in more than 70 countries with the ability to communicate in more than 230 countries worldwide. 3n's innovative and powerful mass notification system is the most advanced, efficient and easy-to-use on the market today, enabling organizations to respond rapidly and effectively to crises and achieve considerable bottom-line savings in routine and emergency situations. For more information about 3n, log on to www.3nonline.com/pr or call toll-free at 1-888-366-4911.