NJCU Alert Us FAQ

What is NJCU Alert Us?

A method to effectively communicate emergency information to a large number of people at virtually the same time.

What NJCU Alert Us is not?

  • A way to send non-emergency, routine or spam messages
  • Situations for which NJCU Alert Us will be used may include but are not limited to:
    • Campus closings
    • Building Emergencies
    • Potential life-threatening situations on campus
    • Extreme Weather Conditions
    • Activation of Emergency Response Teams

Who is responsible for declaring an emergency and sending out a NJCU Alert Us notification?
The Department of Public Safety usually will initiate emergency notifications, although the Office of the President and the Office of Student Affairs will have the authority and ability to issue a NJCU Alert Us notification as well.
If you have an emergency, or encounter an emergency situation on campus, you should immediately call Public Safety (extension 55 on campus or 201-200-3128 from a cell phone) or click here for more information .

What will I receive?
As a subscriber to this service, you'll receive an emergency alert any time the University closes unexpectedly, classes are delayed, or during any other emergency conditions that relate to your individual safety or the safety of the campus community. The alert system is used exclusively for emergency information and will not be used for any other form of communication.

What action should I take if I do receive a NJCU Alert Us notification?

  • Detailed instructions on where to go and what to do will usually be included in the NJCU Alert Us notification.
  • Help spread the word by telling those around you what's happening. (Word of mouth is an important form of notification.) Doing this by word of mouth (vs. by phone) leaves more phone lines open for the system to utilize.

How do I utilize the system if I'm visually-or hearing-impaired?

  • The visually-impaired will be able to rely upon the recorded emergency messages by phone.
  • We'll also accommodate the hearing-impaired by having them register their TTY/TDD receiving device phone numbers with the Public Safety Department by calling 201-200-3515.

Under what conditions would I not receive these messages?

  • If you have not subscribed to the service
  • If you have unsubscribed to the service
  • If you are not a registered student or an active NJCU employee at the time of notification
  • If the information provided in the GothicNet portal is not accurate or up to date
  • Issues with your mobile device service provider
  • Spam filter may have blocked an e-mail from being delivered
  • Your IM service tool privacy settings may need to be modified, contact your carrier for more information

What contact information is used for NJCU Alert Us?
Contact information used for NJCU Alert Us is taken directly from information provided by students, staff and faculty within GothicNet. It is the responsibility of faculty, staff and students to make sure this information is accurate and up to date in order to receive emergency notifications.

Can anyone else in the University use my information?
Contact information collected for NJCU Alert Us is for use in the ENS only. The University will not use this Information for any other purpose than emergency notification.

How much does the NJCU Alert Us service cost?
NJCU Alert Us is provided free of charge to active NJCU staff, faculty and students. There is no cost associated with participation in the service. However, participants are responsible for charges made by service providers related to text messages and mobile phone calls - actual and test messages.

Will the University by testing the system?
NJCU Alert Us will be tested at least once per Spring and Fall semester. Additional testing may be conducted as part of drills and exercises, or as necessary.

What other means will be used by NJCU to communicate emergency information?
Other communication mediums that will be used at the University:

  • Public Address System
  • NJCU webpage at www.njcu.edu
  • Blast email to "___@njcu.edu" accounts
  • Building Emergency Coordinators (BEC)
  • Interdepartmental and Building Phone Trees
  • Local Media/Radio Broadcasts
  • A tapes telephone announcement will be available from 201-200-2000
  • School closings info will be available at www.1010wins.com
  • Updated information will be available at www.njcu.edu
  • The University Phone Chain

What should I do if I use my cell phone as my home phone (i.e., I don't have a landline at home)?
You can input your cell phone number in both the home phone field and the cellphone field on your GothicNet form.

Other members of the University community received emergency (or test) NJCU Alert Us messages, but I did not. What should I do?

  • Did you subscribe to the service?
  • You should first check your voicemail/answering machine (cell, work, and/or home) to ensure that you simply didn't miss the call(s).
  • If messages weren't left on such recording devices for all of the contact numbers you've provided, you should check your contact information to ensure that it is accurate and up to date. (Click here for detailed instructions on how to accomplish this.)
  • If your contact information appears to be correct, you should report that you did not receive the NJCU Alert Us notification to Public Safety by filling out the online form or emailing Public Safety at publicsafety@njcu.edu

What phone number will I receive on my caller ID once I receive a NJCU Alert Us notification? I want to program it into my phone.
The calls will come from 201-200-3128. We recommend that you program a unique and audible ring tone for calls coming from that number.

How are duplicate phone numbers handled?

  • Some people may use their cell phone as their home phone (i.e., they don't have a landline at home) and thus have the same phone number listed as their Home Phone and Cell Phone.
  • Similarly, some phone numbers may be shared by multiple people (e.g., a shared phone at work, or by roommates in an apartment).
  • To eliminate unnecessary/redundant phone calls during an emergency, the system will automatically reduce all occurrences of duplicate phone numbers to single, unique phone numbers, before initiating a mass notification.

If I switch cell phone service providers, do I have to notify NJCU that I have changed providers, even though my cell phone number remains the same?
Yes. You must log into the GothicNet form and update your cell phone service provider.

Who do I contact with additional questions?
You may visit the NJCU Alert Us website or contact the Public Safety Department at 201-200-3128.