Emergency Text Messaging Procedure – 61.24.01

College Policy Number/Title

• 61.24 Text Messaging

Howard Community College (HCC) recognizes the value of instant notification of important information critical to college operations and uses emergency text messaging as one method of communication to convey this information in a timely manner to students, faculty, and staff.

Emergency text messages are limited to important, time-sensitive information related to emergencies, crisis situations, or significant disruptions to college operations, including but not limited:

• • Public safety threats
  • Natural disasters
  • Inclement weather closures or delays
  • Parking/traffic issues
  • Critical system outages (power, information technology, etc.)
  • Other urgent circumstances as determined by the president, president’s team, or their designees

Emergency text messages are always clearly marked as HCC Mobile Alert and are managed by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety.

Text message recipients may opt out of emergency text messages at any time or update their mobile phone number at any time by logging into their mobile alert account. Students, faculty, and staff who wish to add a mobile number to receive emergency text messages may also subscribe by updating their information in their mobile alert account.

Effective Date: 06/09/22

President's Office Use: EDPRM