FAQs about MIT Alert
General Information
Privacy of Information
- Why am I being asked to provide my cell phone number?
- Why am I being asked for an international cell phone
number?
- What is the non-MIT email address used for?
- Can I provide a non-MIT email address without a phone number?
- If I don’t provide a cell phone number, will I still
be contacted?
- Will I receive unsolicited messages on my cell phone
or email?
- Where is the personal information stored and how will
it be used?
- What is the difference between “Personal Contact” and “Emergency Notification” information?
Emergency Notifications
- How will I be notified in an emergency?
- What should I do if I get an alert?
- Who is responsible for declaring emergencies and sending
alerts?
- Will I be contacted by MIT Alert in case of bad weather or if classes are cancelled?
Technical Information
- A colleague or classmate received a voice mail message
from MIT Alert, but I did not. Why?
- A colleague or classmate received an SMS (text) message
on his/her cell phone from MIT Alert system, but I did not. Why?
- Does the system support pagers?
- Will I be charged for text messages sent by MIT?
Additional Information
- Can parents and spouses sign up to receive these alerts?
- Can MIT visitors and guests register to receive alerts?
- Where else can I get information during campus emergencies?
- Where do I go if have additional questions or need technical support?
What is MIT Alert?
MIT Alert is a key part of the Institute’s comprehensive emergency notification program. In the event of major life safety or public health emergencies on campus, MIT Alert will quickly notify students, faculty and staff via text message, phone and email.
During emergencies, updates are also posted to the MIT
emergency website, telephone line, 617-253-SNOW (7669) and the addressable
fire alarm system within many buildings.
Who should sign up?
All MIT students, faculty and staff should sign up for MIT Alert by going to http://web.mit.edu/mitalert and entering a cell phone number and non-MIT email address, if they have one.
Since MIT Alert uses WebSIS for student information and Employee Self-Service (ESS) for faculty and staff information, only current students, faculty and staff can sign up at this time. We are investigating ways to make MIT Alert available to others as well.
How do I sign up?
MIT students, faculty and staff can sign up for MIT Alert by going to http://web.mit.edu/mitalert
Students will be directed to enter their cell phone number and non-MIT email address into WebSIS.
Employees will be directed to enter their cell phone number and non-MIT email address into Employee Self-Service (ESS).
The information provided will ONLY be used for life
safety and public health emergencies. It cannot be accessed or used for
purposes other than emergency communications.
Why am I being asked to provide my cell phone number?
In the event of life safety or public health emergencies on campus,
MIT will use multiple means of communication (phone, email, text message)
to contact students, faculty and staff. Providing a cell phone number
and non-MIT email address, if you have one, will improve MIT's ability
to contact you in an emergency.
Why am I being asked for an international cell phone number?
Many people travel from abroad to study or work at MIT and may choose
to retain their existing phone service. International phones require a
different dial string than phones purchased in the U.S. or Canada.
What is the non-MIT email address used for?
During certain types of emergencies, some of the standard MIT Alert
communication channels may not be operating at full capacity. A non-MIT
email address improves MIT's ability to contact you in an emergency.
Can I provide a non-MIT email address without a phone number?
Yes, you may enter as much or as little information as you wish; however,
providing multiple methods of contact improves MIT's ability to contact
you in an emergency.
If I don’t provide a cell phone number, will I still be contacted?
If we don’t have your cell phone number, we will attempt to contact you through other means, such as your MIT email address and office or residential phone.
However, we strongly recommend that you provide multiple methods of contact, such as a cell phone number, to improve MIT's ability to contact you quickly in an emergency.
back to topWill I receive unsolicited messages on my cell phone or email?
No. The cell phone and non-MIT email address you provide will be utilized
solely for emergency notifications. All information will be kept private
and unpublished.
Where is the personal information stored and how will it be used?
Personal information is stored securely either in WebSIS (for students)
or Employee Self-service (for faculty and staff). Any information provided
for campus emergency notifications (MIT Alert) will be used by MIT only
in the event of life safety or public health emergencies in order to reach
you in the quickest way possible.
What is the difference between “Personal Contact” and “Emergency Notification” information?
Emergency notification information (MIT Alert) is used to improve MIT's ability to contact the community in the event of life safety or public health emergencies on campus.
Personal contact information is a family member or other person you designate
who would be contacted if you were involved in an accident or otherwise
injured while at MIT.
How will I be notified in an emergency?
In the event of life safety or public health emergencies on campus, you may be notified by phone, email or text message, depending on the nature of the emergency.
What should I do if I get an alert?
If MIT Alert is activated, you will receive information on how to respond. Please follow the instructions provided, as well as those given by MIT emergency personnel (floor leaders, building coordinators, MIT police, etc.).
Further details will be posted on MIT's
emergency website and on the emergency phone line, 617-253-SNOW (7669).
Who is responsible for declaring emergencies and sending alerts?
The Director of the Emergency Management Office, the Director of Facilities
and Security or the authorized manager of an emergency would approve the
deployment of emergency alerts.
Will I be contacted by MIT Alert in case of bad weather or if classes are cancelled?
Weather-related closings are not classified as life safety emergencies.
They are announced on the MIT home page and
MIT's SNOW line, 617-253-SNOW (7669). However, if the bad weather is so
severe that it would create a life safety emergency, then MIT Alert would
be deployed.
A colleague or classmate received a voice mail message from MIT Alert, but I did not. Why?
Please check the MIT Alert website to ensure that your information is
complete and up-to-date.
It is possible that you may have been contacted in a different way, such
as email or text message. Also, depending on the nature of the emergency,
some alerts are not sent to everyone on campus.
A colleague or classmate received an SMS (text) message from MIT Alert, but I did not. Why?
Please check the
MIT Alert website to ensure that your information is complete and
up-to-date. Also, check with your cell phone provider to ensure that your
phone is capable of receiving text messages.
It is possible that you may have been contacted in a different way, such
as phone or email. Also, depending on the nature of the emergency, some
alerts are not sent to everyone on campus.
Does the system support pagers?
Yes, the system supports pagers for faculty and staff only. Please enter your pager number in Employee
Self-Service (ESS).
Will I be charged for text messages sent by MIT?
Regular text messaging fees apply. If you do not have a text messaging
plan from your cell phone provider, you may see a charge.
Can parents and spouses sign up to receive these alerts?
At the present time, we are collecting emergency notification information for students, faculty and staff only.
During campus emergencies, updates are also posted to the MIT emergency website and telephone line, 617-253-SNOW (7669). A special toll-free phone number will be activated during emergencies as well. (During emergencies, we urge members of the MIT community to be in touch with their families directly to communicate their status.)
back to topCan MIT visitors and guests register to receive alerts?
At the present time, we are collecting emergency notification information for students, faculty and staff only.
Visitors and guests are encouraged to keep in touch with their campus
hosts and to check the MIT home page and MIT emergency website for status
reports.
Where else can I get information during campus
emergencies?
In the event of an emergency, updates will also be posted to:
- MIT’s home page (web.mit.edu)
- MIT's emergency website (emergency.mit.edu)
- MIT’s emergency phone line 617-253-SNOW or 3-SNOW (3-7669)
- MIT’s Cable TV network
- MIT’s Radio (WMBR)
Where do I go if have additional questions or need technical support?
If you have questions or experience any problems, please contact MIT's Security and Emergency Management Office.
Further information about MIT preparedness and personal preparedness is available at MIT's emergency website.
back to top


