LYNCHBURG, Va. — Liberty University introduced a new mass notification system during the fall 2012 semester.
With nearly 100,000 students, Liberty University’s upgraded its system with the AtHoc IWSAlerts platform. The system allows students to visit a secure, dedicated portal where they can enroll in the program by submitting their password-protected personal notification data and stipulating their preferences for various types of notifications. The new system also provides an option for them to register their families under their account, an important enhancement from the old system, which limited participation to only one user per account.
“The system’s flexibility and scalability will help us meet our current and future notification needs and will easily integrate new technologies as they are introduced,” Liberty University Manager of Network Services Matt Fleming said.
The AtHoc IWSAlerts platform’s open application programming interface (API) enables the university’s IT department to develop additional solutions as needs arise.
“The API was a ‘must-have’ item for us, and AtHoc demonstrated its value and performance better than anyone else,” said Fleming. “We wanted as few products as possible to fulfill our mass notification requirements, and AtHoc’s unified, end-to-end solution fit that need squarely. AtHoc satisfies the demanding defense and homeland security requirements, which gives us a strong sense of security.”
“Safety has become a top priority for dispersed campus environments, where rapid response and ease-of-use are essential for protecting lives and property,” said Dubhe Beinhorn, vice president, public sector at AtHoc. “We applaud Liberty University for recognizing how important it is to help safeguard personnel, students, and staff, and to keep families informed during emergencies in which their loved ones are involved.”
The new system will protect all buildings across the dispersed campus, including a church, primary and high school, godparent home (a facility for unwed mothers), and an independently operated medical care organization. Fleming expects a very high percentage of participation by the end of the year.
