Baker University believes in order to be safe, you have to be alert. Thus, the B-Alert system is being deployed across the campus.

The warning system, which alerts students by way of text messaging through cell phones, is slated to officially be in place Tuesday, when an initial test warning message will be sent out to students who have registered.

Public Relations Director Steve Rottinghaus said the university teamed with 21st Century, a vendor that has worked with campuses nationwide and is highly recommended, on installing the B-Alert warning system.

“We craft the emergency message on campus beforehand on what the situation is and have them ready to go when needed,” Rottinghaus said.

Rottinghaus said offering the B-Alert program to students is necessary because the campus must take advantage of any opportunity to enhance emergency notification.

So far, more than one-third of the student population has signed up to receive the text warnings.

The B-Alert system will communicate to students when emergency situations are occurring – for instance if a fire started or if bad weather is present.

Tornado activity during the spring semester is one of the program’s main priorities with the objective being to notify students when taking immediate cover is necessary.

Rottinghaus encourages all students, faculty and staff to register for B-Alert.

To register for B-Alert, log on to www.bakeru.edu/balert.

Through B-Alert, students, faculty and staff with registered cell phone numbers can receive a text message alert, e-mail alert and voice mail message.

Students can also choose to have parents notified.

Provost Randy Pembrook said the B-Alert system will require all those who register to re-enroll online every year in the fall so they can update their information.