University Senate proposes more changes to AU Alert

By Amy Weaver

Published: April 8, 2008

The emergency notification system at Auburn University is going to change again.

Members of the University Senate passed a resolution during their meeting Tuesday to exclude the use of AU Alert for all National Weather Service severe weather watches, except when a severe weather system could have a significant impact on campus before a severe weather warning is issued.

The senate action is the latest in a number of changes to AU Alert since it was first offered to students, faculty and staff last November.

It was originally intended to provide e-mails, text and voice messages to registered phone numbers and e-mail addresses in the event of emergency situations that require immediate action. But since 18-year-old freshman Lauren Burk was killed March 4, university officials decided to use it to warn of other emergencies.

The university took much criticism in the wake of Burk’s murder for not notifying students of her death or that the apparent killer was apparently at large. An alert was issued the following afternoon, explaining that there was no immediate threat to campus.

Chance Corbett, associate director of emergency management in the office of public safety and security, said AU Alert has been used a lot more since that day. It was used twice on Friday as severe weather swept through the area. It unfortunately generated a barrage of comments from users, mostly negative, he said.

President Dr. Jay Gogue took the blame as the “bad guy” who pushed for the alerts Friday. He told faculty members he is an advocate for more information rather than less. In this case, he wanted to warn any faculty or students who may have been out in the impending storm.

“If I caused undo hardship for any of you guys, I apologize,” he said.

Even though there are some people who appreciate the weather updates, Corbett said watches are so frequent, they could cause users to unsubscribe, which would defeat the purpose of the entire system. Associate Professor Rik Blumenthal said he eagerly registered his home and office phone for voice messages and his cell phone for voice and text messages when AU Alert was first offered, but now he regrets it. He’s been in his office for all alerts so far and it’s a bit overwhelming.

“One warning to me would be just fine,” he said. Corbett assured him that could be changed.

The resolution also calls for the public safety and security office to conduct an audit of existing weather alert systems on campus and to start a program to make weather radios available to the campus community for a nominal fee.

Corbett said officials are talking with students and staff as well to learn how the entire campus thinks AU Alert should be used.

“We want to do what you are comfortable with,” he said.

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