FAQs about MIT Alert

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.

Will 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.)

Can 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.