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What do the sirens look like?

There are three siren towers located across campus, each equipped with omnidirectional speakers. Their distinctive shape, often compared to either a large birdhouse or a stack of Frisbees, allows them to project sound evenly in all directions. This design ensures that alerts and voice messages can be broadcast in a full 360-degree radius for maximum coverage.

  

Is this the only way the campus community is alerted to an emergency?

No. The University uses multiple methods to ensure important information reaches the campus community quickly. The siren and public‑address system is just one part of the broader Emergency Notification System. All students, faculty, and staff are automatically enrolled in ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Alerts through Rave and will receive alerts via text and email. Parents and other community members may sign up for alerts at: .

  

What kind of sound will the siren make?

The sirens can emit a variety of alert tones. The University has chosen to use a high/low tone to alert the community to an emergency. After the initial siren tone ends, a pre-recorded or live voice message will follow, providing information about the emergency and suggested follow-up actions. At the conclusion of an emergency, there will be an " All Clear" signal indicating that the emergency is over.

• Emergency Alert (high/low tone)
• All-Clear (long clear tone)
• Test (whoop tone)

  

What does it mean when I hear a siren?

A siren alert indicates that there is an emergency on campus, a potentially dangerous situation, or an imminent threat. When you hear the siren, tune in to WÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€‘FM (95.3 FM) for official information and instructions. Situations that may trigger the siren include severe weather and hazardous materials incidents.

  

Do the sirens ever sound for reasons other than an emergency?

No, other than testing and maintenance. The sirens are tested regularly to ensure they remain in proper working order. The University conducts a scheduled test at noon on the first Friday of each month, so please keep this routine test time in mind. The test tone is intentionally different from the emergency high/low signal.

At times, maintenance may be required on an individual siren or the entire system, which can also involve briefly activating the sirens. When maintenance requires sounding the system, the campus community will be notified in advance.

  

If I am inside my residence hall, class, or office, will I hear the siren?

The siren and public address system are primarily designed to alert people who are outdoors. Some individuals may hear the siren indoors, depending on how close they are to a tower and on the level of background noise, such as TVs, music, or machinery. Because indoor audibility can vary, it is essential to enroll and pay attention to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Alerts to ensure you receive emergency notifications through additional channels.

  

If I am driving, will I hear the siren?

The siren and public‑address system are designed to provide broad audio coverage across campus. However, your ability to hear the alert while driving can vary. Factors such as your distance from the nearest siren, whether your windows are open or closed, and any competing noise inside your vehicle, like music, phone calls, and air conditioners, can affect how clearly you hear the signal.

  

How does the siren/PA system operate?

The system is activated by the University Police Dispatch Center and operates on a dedicated radio frequency. It is computer-controlled with manual and remote backups, allowing activation of a single siren or the entire system during an emergency. Sirens are monitored daily, and any issues are reported immediately. Each unit also includes tamper alarms that alert police if someone attempts to access or damage the equipment.

  

Why are the siren towers located at their respective sites?

Vendors bidding on the siren/PA system were required to visit campus and conduct a full site survey to determine where the towers would provide the best audio coverage. Based on that analysis, the successful vendor selected the current tower locations to ensure optimal sound distribution across campus.