About MSU Alert:

MSU Alert is a notification system to deliver critical information to MSU students, faculty and staff in the event of an emergency. The system delivers emergency messages through text messaging to mobile phones and e-mails, as well as voice messages to personal phones. Examples of emergency notifications may include extreme weather, earthquakes, hazardous materials incidents, or an active shooter situation. 

In 2018, Montana State University entered into a partnership with Gallatin County to produce a fortified and integrated emergency notification system powered by Everbridge. This partnership allows enhanced communications between MSU and Gallatin County during the time of a life threatening emergency. Previously, MSU Alerts were only sent regarding issues within the immediate university property lines. The upgraded system now allows users to receive emergency notifications of events occurring within Gallatin County that could affect the MSU community. 

All students, faculty, and staff are automatically enrolled into the MSU Alert system. Members are given the option to opt out of emergency notification alerts. Please see the FAQ section below for further details. The local community, family, and friends are encouraged to opt in to the university Emergency Notification system by texting “montanastate” to 888-777.

Two types of notifications, emergency notifications and timely warnings, are provided to students, faculty, and staff at MSU. The MSU Alert system only provides emergency notifications. Members of the MSU community currently receive timely warnings to their employee or student email and will continue to do so. Please see below for additional details about the types of notifications. 
  • Emergency Notifications: issued when a potential on-going threat which could cause immediate harm to the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff exists. Being that these notifications are time sensitive and crucial they are distributed via a text message alert, voice calls, and emails. 
  • Timely Warnings: issued to notify students, faculty, and staff when a serious crime has occurred with the potential to be repeated or on-going, in accordance with the Clery Act. These notifications are sent via email. 

Contact information that is in the MSU Alert system will only be used for emergency alerting purposes. User’s information will never be sold for commercial use. Only emergency notifications will be sent through the MSU Alert system. The system will never send spam. A test of the system will be conducted once each semester.

 

FAQ: 

 

My mobile phone calling plan doesn't cover text messages. Will I be billed to receive a text message? 

If your calling plan doesn't include text messaging, you will be billed to receive a text message if you open it. However, the cost is very low, usually around 10 cents per text message. MSU Alert will only use text messages for emergencies, maintenance and a test each semester.

 

Why is MSU Alert utilizing an “Opt-Out” system?

The intent of an emergency notification system is to notify as many individuals as possible during a life-threatening situation. Placing individuals directly into the system initially and offering them the ability to “opt-out” achieves this intent more effectively than asking all individuals to "opt-in".

 

What do I do if I would like to no longer receive MSU Alerts?

To opt out of MSU Alerts simply reply “STOP” to any SMS communications you receive from the system. If you do not receive SMS communications, contact the administrator at [email protected] to request removal from the system. Please, include “MSU Alert Opt-Out” in the subject line.

 

Can parents, guardians, friends, family, visitors, and the local community "Opt-In" to MSU Alerts? 

Yes! Anyone with an interest in receiving MSU alert messages will still have the ability to “opt-in” to the system. Individuals can opt in by texting “montanastate” to 888-777.

 
How do I change or update my contact information?

You can verify your cellphone number and contact information for MSU Alerts by logging into MyInfo and selecting the “personal information” link.

 

What personal information goes into MSU Alert? 

Your first name, last name, student/employee ID number, cell phone number, preferred email address, university email address, and campus housing address. The MSU alert system does not use social security numbers or birthdates.

 

Will MSU or Everbridge sell my e-mail address or phone numbers to an outside party?

No. The e-mail address and phone numbers entered into the system will only be used for emergency messages, testing and necessary system maintenance.

 

Will MSU use the system for non-emergency communications, such as academic calendar reminders?

No. The system will only be used for emergency messages, testing and necessary maintenance.

 
Will I get spam through the system?

No. The system will only contact members during an immediate or dangerous situation. 

 

What kind of message would I receive from the system?

The message would be very short and direct. An example:

MSU Alert: A severe weather report indicates potential impact to MSU. The campus is closed for the remainder of the day.

 

How many alerts will I receive?

Text message alerts are reserved for the most urgent situations. Typically, less than a half-dozen MSU Alerts are issued via text message each year. 

 

What does the Montana State University and Gallatin County Community Notification System Partnership mean for me? 

This partnership allows Montana State University and Gallatin County to send pertinent lifesaving emergency notifications to individuals who are enrolled in the system. Gallatin County will only send alerts to the MSU community when a serious threat to life and safety is present. The county will never spam users. Communications from the system will arrive from the "Gallatin Community Notification System". 

 

What if I am already enrolled in the Gallatin County Community Notification System? 

Enrollment into MSU Alert will not interrupt a users subscription to the Gallatin County Community Notification System. Users enrolled in both systems will never receive duplicate messages through identical communication channels. The MSU Alert system only provides emergency notifications to users. The Gallatin County Community Notification System offers additional notifications such as road closures and community events. Any users wishing to receive additional notifications from the county should register at: https://www.readygallatin.com/public-warning/community-notification-system/