Silver City, NM - Western New Mexico University has launched a new emergency alert system allowing university employees and students to receive text alerts during emergency situations.

The software system, called Rave Alert, was launched with a test alert to users on Monday, October 26. More than 4,000 users received a short text message notifying them of the testing and giving them an idea of future alert notifications.

"In light of the ongoing safety concerns at universities across the country, we want to have every tool at our disposal for keeping our students and employees safe while on campus," said Isaac Brundage, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

The system is used by several universities in the country and has the capability of sending text and email messages, allowing responses from users and reporting data. All university employees and students have been opted in to receive notifications; however, they can opt out and are responsible for updating their contact information.

"WNMU already uses other measures in alerting the campus community during emergency situations including emails and social media," stated Abe Villarreal, Director of Communications. "This new tool will allow us to reach more users giving them the information as we get it."

An additional tool being tested is an alert notification through the University bell tower. The tower chimes every half hour and can be heard throughout the campus and in the nearby residential area. The university will soon be testing an alternate chime that will alert the community of a campus emergency.

"We are fully aware that the safety of the students can be compromised at any time as we recently saw at the campus of Northern Arizona University only a few hours away from us," said Villarreal. "We experience very little crime on campus and consider our main campus a very safe one but we must be alert at all times."

The Rave Alert system has been programmed to be initiated by several individuals on campus including representatives from the Campus Police Office, Office of Student Affairs and Office of Communications.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications at 575-538-6336.