University to conduct test of VT Alerts Tuesday, March 25

On Tuesday, March 25, Virginia Tech will be conducting a university-wide test of the VT Alerts urgent notification system. The test will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; we are not revealing the exact time in order to have as realistic a test as possible.

Here’s how you will be able to identify the message as coming from VT Alerts:

• The subject line for the test message will be “TEST: VT Alerts.”
• The message will start, “This is a test of the VT Alerts system …”
• The message sender will appear as follows:
  • For a text message: 89361
  • For a phone call: (540) 232-1000
  • For an e-mail: alerts@vt.edu
  • For an IM:
    • AOL: nnnalert5 or nnnalert6
    • MSN: nnnalertp1a1@3nonline.com or nnnalertp1a2@3nonline.com
    • Yahoo: nnnp1a1 or nnnp1a2
      
      

      NOTE: In order to receive an IM from VT Alerts, you must configure your privacy settings in your IM service tool. Please read these on-line instructions.

To deliver the alert message, the VT Alerts system will begin cycling through the points of contact listed for your account, starting with the first available.

At the end of the message, you will be prompted to confirm receipt. For the purposes of this test, it is extremely important for you to provide the requested confirmation, as that is the only way the university will know if you received the message.

PLEASE NOTE: Those who receive alerts via e-mail or IM will be provided a link to confirm receipt. When you click on the link, you’ll be taken to a page hosted by 3n (National Notification Network).

VT Alerts is intended to communicate urgent information to students, faculty, and staff on campus during an emergency. For that reason, it is very important that you carefully consider your points of contact. If you have included parents, spouses, or others among your points of contact, we strongly suggest listing yourself as the first point of contact. To review your account, visit the VT Alerts website and click on the “Manage Your Account” link.

If you registered anyone other than yourself to receive these alert notifications via phone, text message, or e-mail, please inform them of the upcoming test.

If you do not receive the alert message during the test, please visit the VT Alerts website and click on the “Manage Your Account” link to verify that the entered information is correct. If the information is correct, or if you encounter any other issues, please contact 4Help at 540/231-HELP (4357).

For more general information about VT Alerts, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.