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University of Massachusetts Boston ScholarWorks at UMass Boston 1996-2009, University Reporter University Publications and Campus Newsletters 3-1-2008 University Reporter - Volume 12, Number 07 - March 2008 Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.umb.edu/university_reporter Recommended Citation "University Reporter - Volume 12, Number 07 - March 2008" (2008). 1996-2009, University Reporter. Paper 14. http://scholarworks.umb.edu/university_reporter/14 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Publications and Campus Newsletters at ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. It has been accepted for inclusion in 1996-2009, University Reporter by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. For more information, please contact [email protected]. N E W S A N D I N FORMAT I O N A B O U T T H E U ni VERS I T Y O F M ASSACHUSETTS B OSTO N THE UNIVERSI T Y ReporterVolume 12, Number 7 March 2008 UMB Alert: New Emergency Notification System for UMass Boston By Anne-Marie Kent sin, Lee stated that fast, efficient This month, UMass Boston emergency notification is key to unveils the new UMB Alert emer- campus safety efforts. gency notification system, which The UMB Alert system relies will be used to provide critical on technology from Dialogic information to faculty, students, Communications Corporation and staff when university officials (DCC), a company contracted by perceive a significant threat to the University of Massachusetts their safety. Public safety officials President’s Office to serve all and university administrators will five UMass campuses. Its clients have the ability to send alerts in include other large universities, response to situations such as including Harvard, Columbia, criminal acts, fires, explosions, and Vanderbilt, as well as other chemical accidents, severe storms, Massachusetts state institutions. or any local incidents that are seen “This is not just an email to pose a threat to the safety of the system. It is a multi-tiered emer- community. gency notification system that In addition to text messaging, uses email, text messaging, and the university will use other mes- phone calls as one part of a larger sage and information systems emergency operational plan,” ex- such as alarm systems, loud- Daryl Ford, Director of Communications and Infrastructure Services, going over emergency plained Chief Information Officer notification plans with Ellen O’Connor, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. (Photo speakers, electronic messaging Anne Scrivener Agee, who is also by Harry Brett) systems such as the lobby TVs, co-chair of the university-wide and WUMB radio as well as local last month praised the efforts of Virginia Tech, LSU, and NIU dem- tem trainer for the International Safety Planning Committee. “The media contacts. the University-Wide Safety Plan- onstrated this need all too clearly Association of Campus Law concept is to contact all members The security and health of all ning Committee. in a university setting,” said Pub- Enforcement Administrators. of our university community to our students, faculty, staff, visitors, “While the events of September lic Safety Program Manager Rich- Pointing to The Virginia Tech the best of our ability using a and neighbors remain the single 11 powerfully illustrated the need ard Lee, who is also a certified Report as well as the Governor’s variety of means, including email highest priority of this university,” for effective communication in an National Incident Management Commission on Campus Public and text messaging.” said Chancellor Keith Motley, who emergency event, the tragedies at Systems/Incident Command Sys- Safety from Florida and Wiscon- (continued on page 2) IN THIS ISSUE Indonesian Educational and Civic Leaders Sign Page 2 Memorandum of Understanding with UMass Boston Black History Month in By Will Kilburn pictures A high-level delegation from In- donesia visited UMass Boston on Page 5 February 29 to meet with the dean and faculty of the College of Public Leading the way on diversity in leadership and Community Service, as well as Chancellor Keith Motley and Provost Paul Fonteyn. The delega- tion included Dr. Tutty Alawiyah, the Rector of the University of As- Syafi’iyah and a former Minister for Women’s Affairs in two previ- ous governments in Indonesia, Dr. Ferdy Firdaus, the University’s Vice Rector, and Dr. Dewi Motik Page 5 Pramono, Chairwoman of the Indonesian Women’s Alliance for Athletics Department Sustainable Development. During their visit, possible areas “Thinks Pink” University of As-Syafi’iyah Rector Tutty Alawiyah meets Chancellor Keith Motley as CPCS Dean of collaboration between the two Adenrele Awotona looks on. (Photo by Harry Brett) universities were discussed, along with plans for an upcoming con- by Firdaus and Alawiyah, titled where a memorandum of under- UMass Boston Chancellor Keith ference, “Rebuilding Sustainable “Rebuilding Sustainable Commu- standing between UMass Boston Motley. “Like UMass Boston, the Communities for Children and nities for Children Orphaned by and the University of As-Syafi’iyah University of As-Syafi’iyah strongly Their Families After Disasters,” the Asian Tsunami in Indonesia.” was signed. believes in service to the commu- which will be held at UMass Bos- Following the presentation, the “We’re looking forward to nity around it, and although our ton later this year. The visit also delegation met with Chancellor building a relationship with the surroundings and the challenges included a public presentation Motley in the Quinn Building, University of As-Syafi’iyah,” said (continued on page 3) Emergency Notification System (cont.) (continued from page 1) “The implementation of a Richard Lee and student Michael contacted in an emergency situa- developing, implementing, and Lee added that safety is every- system such as this as part of our Metzger. tion. Students who sign up at this maintaining a safe and secure one’s business. “If an emergency overall emergency preparedness “The implementation of an time may be eligible to win one of campus environment,” said Lee. message is ever broadcast, commu- planning is a reflection of how emergency notification system is a number of prizes. “The emergency notification nity members should notify people seriously and aggressively we seek another important tool in our ef- “The publicity effort will spot- system is just one part of a larger around them of the messages and out the best options to maintain forts to maintain a safe and secure light not only the emergency all-hazards plan of emergency the directions given. This is a com- our community’s safety in these environment for our community,” notification system, but also the preparedness designed to provide munity-wide effort in which every- times of heightened awareness said Morgan. “While it is regret- new safety Web site and other a multi-tiered level of protection one should accept the responsibility and concern,” said Administra- table we need such systems, we safety-related efforts underway,” using people, technology, and of helping their fellow community tion and Finance Vice Chancel- will do all that we can to use this said Meehan. planning to maintain the safety of members. We all need to be part of lor Ellen O’Connor, committee new technology as part of our Led by the university-wide our campus.” the effort for it to be effective.” co-chair. overall efforts to keep our students Safety Planning Committee, the Agee, who also chairs the Safety safe.” system includes the Web site, a Awareness subcommittee, added Meehan explained that the revised emergency operations plan, that a major awareness effort later rollout effort will include oppor- continuity of operations plans, a Get Involved this month will help members of tunities for those who have not new emergency response guide, the university community better yet signed up for the UMB Alert special Incident Command train- To sign up for UMB Alert, go to: understand emergency prepared- system to do so via laptops pro- ing for key university employees, ness and campus safety. Special vided at tables in the University flu-prevention efforts, and the in- https://umb.ecoporte.com/emergency/jsp/home/home.jsp Assistant to the Vice Chancellor Terrace. Visitors to the system troduction of special interventions of Student Affairs Kelly Meehan portal are given options to desig- for “distressed and distressing” If you have any questions, and Assistant Dean of Students nate cell phone numbers, alternate individuals. please contact [email protected]. Joyce Morgan are spearheading email addresses, or text messaging “UMass Boston has always this effort with the assistance of numbers where they wish to be explored different methods of Black History Month at UMass Boston Top left: Arthur Jones of The Spirituals Project sang for part of his presentation, “Negro Spiritual & Slave Songs: What Did They Mean?,” in the Alumni Room. Top right: At the Harbor Gallery, a staged reading of August Wilson’s play Fences. Bottom left: Documentary photographer LeRoy Henderson took a Harbor Gallery audience through four decades of history, from the 1960s through today. Bottom right: Barry Gaither, head of the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Roxbury, delivers a lecture on African-American artists at the Harbor Gallery. Events at the Harbor Gallery were part of the Trotter Institute’s Black History Month celebration, titled “Changing History on the Blackside: Yesterday and Tomorrow in Music, Photography, Art, and Drama.” (Photos by Harry Brett) The University Reporter Sharon Kennedy Sarah Weatherbee Contributing Writers The University Reporter is published monthly except in July and Office of Marketing and Communications Editor Art Director Nanette Cormier August by the Office of Marketing and Communications. It is free to Third Floor Danielle Dreilinger all UMass Boston faculty, staff, and students. Quinn Administration Building Harry Brett Anne-Marie Kent 100 Morrissey Boulevard Will Kilburn University Geoff Kula Send your news items to: The University Reporter at [email protected].