Communication Methods

RIT uses a layered approach to reach the campus community in notifying about emergency situations. These can range from required crime alerts to school closings or class cancellations. Each situation will dictate the nature and method for releasing communications from University News Services. Methods to communicate include both internal channels and external channels. At the start of each quarter, an emergency broadcast alert reminder is sent via e-mail and posted on the MyRIT portal regarding RIT’s emergency communication methods.

Internal RIT channels:

  • RIT Alert: RIT Alert allows RIT to contact the community in the event of an emergency by sending messages via Instant Message, text message to cell phones, voice message (mobile or land-line) and e-mail. To learn more about RIT Alert, including instructions on how to update personal emergency contact information, go to http://finweb.rit.edu/buscont/massnotification.html
  • Alert Beacons: Alert Beacons (yellow boxes) are installed in over 20 buildings across campus and are a part of the total RIT emergency communications system. When activated by RIT Public Safety, the Alert Beacons flash and sound to alert people of an emergency. The Beacons also display a message communicating the nature of the emergency and what to do. The Alert Beacon sound is very distinct from a fire alarm, and most messages will ask people to shelter-in-place (stay inside or get inside).
  • RIT Message Center: An emergency message is delivered via e-mail and to the MyRIT portal. The entire RIT community (students, faculty, staff) will receive emergency messages via e-mail.
  • Social media: Twitter and Facebook
  • Web sites: An alert message is posted on the RIT Emergency Information Web site (http://emergency.rit.edu), the RIT home page (www.rit.edu), the University News (www.rit.edu/news) and Public Safety (http://finweb.rit.edu/publicsafety) home pages.
  • Phones: A message is recorded on a “cancellation/emergency hotline”: (585) 475-7075 (Voice), (585) 475-7076 (TTY); and (585) 475-2411, RIT's main number.
  • Voice Mail: A voice mail blast is sent to nearly 3,000 faculty and staff.
  • Use of emergency calling trees
  • Delivered written instructions and posted flyers
  • Radio station WITR-FM (89.7)
  • Campus Cable TV: RIT’s Education Technology Center (ETC) has the ability to pre-empt all cable channels on campus.

External Channels:

  • Students, faculty and staff are advised to stay tuned to Rochester-area media.
  • TV – Channels 8, 9 (R News), 10, 13 and 31 will carry closed-captioned messages during emergency announcements.
  • Radio – Emergencies, cancellations/closing will also be announced on the following radio stations: WBEE-FM (92.5), WCMF-FM (96.5), WDKX-FM (103.9), WDVI-FM (100.5), WHAM-AM (1180), WITR-FM (89.7), WPXY-FM (97.9), WRMM-FM (101.3) and WXXI-AM (1370).
  • Newspaper (online): DemocratandChronicle.com