Rider University has selected the Connect-Ed service as its notification system should campus emergencies or other university-wide announcement needs arise.

The University signed the contract on Wednesday, May 9, and it is anticipated the new service will be implemented on or before the start of the 2007-08 academic year in September.

The Connect-Ed service will allow campus officials to send simultaneous alerts to students, faculty and staff – and even parents -- quickly through land lines, cell phone, text messaging and e-mail. This system supplements the communication tools the University already has in place.

“We have evaluated numerous services to determine which allows the best fit for the University,” President Mordechai Rozanski said. “Connect-Ed will allow us to respond to the campus community in a matter of minutes and includes a survey response capability. I must stress that it is also very important we have a multi-pronged communication approach that combines high and low tech capability.”

To ensure the highest percentage of participation, the University is fully funding the cost of this service for students, faculty and staff.

An important feature of Connect-Ed is that it allows up to six contacts per subscriber. Of the six contacts, student subscribers may select two for parent contact – one for e-mail and one for phone. There is no additional cost to students for this service.

During the summer, the University will encourage students, faculty and staff to update emergency contact information. The University will be collecting contact information for incoming students at new student orientation sessions throughout June and July.

“This service is only as useful as the contact information people give us,” said Carol Kondrach, associate vice president for information technologies. “It is important for students, faculty and staff to keep their information updated, particularly for mobile device contact information, so we have the capability to reach out to them anywhere at anytime.”

Students, faculty and staff will receive further information about subscribing and the service coming online via e-mail.

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