TCU will sound its emergency mass notification alert systems test today to ensure the system is working in case of an emergency situation.

The tests are routinely conducted by sending a sound through indoor and outdoor loud speakers as well as sending out email and text alerts.

“We anticipate the test to last approximately two minutes, and the test message will be followed by an “all clear” message,” said Kathryn Cavins-Tull the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, who is also the Emergency Incident Commander.

TCU Alert was installed in 2007 five months after the Virginia Tech shooting.

The system is powered by 3N and was recommended by a committee formed by the Chancellor to research a communication services for emergency situations.

“These tests are routinely conducted to ensure the system functions as intended and that all audiences are familiar with the system,” Cavins-Tull said.

The system will send alerts for two minutes and students will receive alerts through email and text message and students are asked to respond “Yes” to the messages to ensure the system is working properly.

Students can update their emergency contact settings in their user profile on their my.tcu.edu account. All phone numbers and emails listed will be contacted during the emergency drill.

TCU Alert has also been used to inform students of campus wide lockdown procedures.

“If we knew someone who was unstable with a loaded weapon was on the campus, you can bet we would tell people to stay inside,” said Don Mills, former vice chancellor, in a TCU 360 article published in 2010.

Students are asked to contact Kathryn Cavins-Tull at [email protected] or (817) 257-7820 with questions regarding the procedure which is estimated to last two minutes Tuesday.