NY-Alert Frequently Asked Questions
NY-Alert (Powered by Everbridge) is an emergency Alert system established by the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO). SUNY campuses can use the NY-Alert system to send emergency and safety information and protective action messages, to students, employees, and visitors to protect lives and well-being, protect assets and minimize campus disruption.
The NY-Alert notification system is powered the Everbridge Critical Event Management platform . Everbridge is used to store contact information and to send the notifications.
How do I sign up for NY-Alert?
SUNY Geneseo student and employee NY-Alert signup.
NY-Alert signup for everyone else
Will I immediately be enrolled in NY-Alert once I sign up?
The details of users who registered for NY-Alert throughout the week are submitted on Monday afternoons after 4 p.m. If you sign up after the list is sent, your name and information will be sent the following Monday.
Will it cost me anything to participate in NY-Alert?
No. NY-Alert is being provided as a FREE service to campuses so there is no enrollment fee. However, specific contract details are still being worked out with cell/text service providers, so airtime charges may apply for some participants.
How do I update my information?
You can update your NY-Alert contact information by visiting the NY-Alert registration page.
The NY-Alert registration link is also available in the MyGeneseo campus portal. Search for "Alert" within the "sites" section of my.geneseo.edu.
Is it mandatory for students, faculty and staff to participate?
No. Students and employees who have not registered are prompted to register every 6 months. Participation in NY-Alert is voluntary and strongly encouraged. Students can choose to opt out on the registration page.
Who is authorized to send emergency/safety information?
The NY-Alert system can be used only by authorized campus personnel to send emergency messages, including emergency protective actions, warnings and post-incident information related to life safety issues to the campus community. NY-Alert will not be used by any party for any political, financial or personal gain, advertisement or advocacy. All parties that use NY-Alert will adhere to the professional ethics standards promulgated by the State of New York.
What type of emergency/safety information will be broadcast?
Alert notifications are allowed pertaining only to events in the categories identified below or other "life threatening" situations. "All Clear" and/or additional follow-up messages pertaining to end of event or additional instructions regarding the event are acceptable. General notifications of campus non-emergency events or activities are not acceptable via the NY-Alert service.
Classification and Acceptable Usage:
- Bomb Threat - based on intelligence that indicates the threat is credible.
- Civil Disturbance - large group disrupting normal campus activities.
- Fire - large-scale fire to building(s), wildfires, local community or industry that endangers campus.
- Hazardous Material - dangerous material, chemical, biological, nuclear spreading from a contained area.
- Major Road Closing/Incident - unanticipated event that would disrupt safe passage to and from campus.
- Medical Emergency - pandemic or event with mass casualties.
- Personal Safety - situations that include use of weapons, violence, perpetrator(s) at large, active shooter, hostage situation or missing persons. Any situation, on or off campus, that constitutes an on-going or continuing threat to person or property.
- Suspicious Package - reasonable belief that a package may contain chemical, biological or nuclear substance that would cause harm to persons or property.
- Utility Failure - a major disruption or damage to utilities including gas, electrical or water.
- Weather - class cancellations due to severe weather conditions.
Will NY-Alert replace other means of communication that the College uses to notify the campus community of emergency information?
No. SUNY NY-Alert will augment the other means, which include emails, website, television, posters, etc.
Will NY-Alert be tested?
Yes. The College plans to conduct a full test of all Emergency Communications Systems twice annually. Testing is typically done once each semester.
Where can I find more information about NY-Alert?
New York State Emergency Management Office
How can I unsubscribe from or change my information in NY-Alert?
Students and employees can unsubscribe from NY-Alert anytime by visiting at https://go.geneseo.edu/Alerts or clicking on the NY-Alert sites link in https://my.geneseo.edu
If you have additional questions, please contact any of the following individuals for answers:
Scott Ewanow
Assistant Chief of Police, Emergency Manager
SUNY Geneseo
585-245-5651
ewanow@geneseo.edu
Lenard Sancilio
Dean of Students
SUNY Geneseo
585-245-5706
sancilio@geneseo.edu
Sue Chichester
Chief Information Officer & Director, CIT
SUNY Geneseo
(585)245-5577
sue@geneseo.edu