We need your cell phone number.

We're launching Connect-Ed to keep you better informed in the event of severe weather and campus emergencies or closings. This new program wlll allow us to reach you directly by sending a text message to your cell phone. Follow the instructions to add or update your cell phone number - the one where you receive your text messages - as soon as possible so that you can be alerted to any emergency situation that affects our campus. All students, faculty and staff in Milledgeville, Macon and Warner Robins are encouraged to participate. 

A text message will be sent to you asking if you want to opt-in to this service. You will need to reply in order to be "in" the system. 

Remember, this information will only be used to reach you in an emergency - Your cell phone number will remain confidential! 

For Connect-Ed questions, contact Justin Gaines , Environmental Health and Occupational Safety Coordinator at  (478) 445-2025. 

FAQs

• What is Connect-Ed? Connect-Ed is an emergency messaging system that can send text messages directly to your cell phone in the event of severe weather, campus emergency or emergency closing. It will not be used for routine communications. 
  
  
• Am I automatically enrolled to receive the emergency text messages? No, you must sign up. Simply go to www.gcsu.edu/alert, read the instructions for students or faculty/staff and click on the appropriate button to proceed. Your number will be removed automatically from the system if you are no longer a student or employee of the college. 
  
  
• What does it cost? The only cost is the amount your cell phone company may charge you to receive a text message - usually just a few cents. However, Georgia College will ONLY use the Connect-Ed system for emergency notifications - NOT routine communications or announcements. 
  
  
• Who else will have access to my cell phone number? No one. The cell phone number you provide for your text messaging will remain confidential and will NOT be released to anyone else. 
  
  
• What if my cell phone number changes? You must update your cell phone number by going to the Connect-Ed link on the Georgia College website. 
  
  
• How will I be alerted if I don't have a cell phone?Alert messages will continue to be sent via campus e-mail and will be placed on the Georgia College website. In addition, the university is exploring other possible alert systems (i.e. public address and campus emergency "blue" boxes). However, text messaging offers contact to the most people in the least amount of time. 
  
  
• Will the Connect-Ed system cover the other Georgia College locations in Macon and Warner Robbins? Yes, all students, faculty and staff can receive emergency messages, regardless of their location. 
  
  
• Can my family sign up for Connect-Ed? At this point Connect-Ed is only designed to reach students, faculty and staff. 
  
  
• What kinds of messages will I get through Connect-Ed? We will only send you a text message in the event of a severe weather warning, a campus emergency or an emergency campus closing. The system WILL NOT be used for routine communications. 
  
  
• Which of the instructions should I use if I am a faculty/staff employee as well as a student? Either one will work, but it is recommended that you use the faculty/staff instructions so that you can become familiar with the Employee Self Service system.

Connect-ED® Frequently Asked Questions about SMS/Text Messaging

OPT-IN/OUT PROCESS 


• Question: How do I opt-in to receive text messages from my school? 
  
  
• Answer: Students, staff and faculty can opt-in by providing a text-enabled phone number via the GCSU web portal at www.gcsu.edu/alert. 
  
  
• Question: What happens after I sign up via the web portal? 
  
  
• Answer: After you sign up online, the Connect-ED service automatically sends a text message to that phone with a confirmation request during business hours (10am - 6pm PST).  You will be instructed to reply to the text message by texting "YES GCSU" or "Y GCSU" to complete the opt-in process (NOTE: there MUST be a SPACE between the YES and the GCSU -- or the Y and GCSU). 
  
  
• Question: If I sign up at night, when will I receive the confirmation request? 
  
  
• Answer: The confirmation requests are sent during business hours (10am to 6pm PST). Since we upload data into the Connect-ED service only once per week, your confirmation message may take up to seven days to arrive after you sign up. 
  
  
• Question: What happens if I'm unavailable to reply to the confirmation request? 
  
  
• Answer: You do not need to immediately reply to the confirmation request and you are allowed to reply at any time. However, you will NOT be able to receive Connect-ED text messages to you until you respond. If you lose the original opt-in confirmation request, text "SUBSCRIBE GCSU" to 23177. 
  
  
• Question: I did not receive a confirmation request.  What happened? 
  
  
• Answer: Please check with your mobile phone provider to find out if your device accepts text messages.  You may also want to check with your provider to see if text messaging has been enabled.  You may need to subscribe to a text messaging plan in order to receive or reply to text messages. 
  
  
• Question: I have text messaging enabled on my mobile phone, how come I did not receive a confirmation? 
  
  
• Answer: Currently subscribers of T-Mobile, Metro PCS, Cricket and some others are not able to receive confirmation requests.  However, you may still receive Connect-ED text messages from your school.  And in the future, these mobile phone providers may require confirmation and you will be sent a confirmation request then.  Please reply with the appropriate text shown on your mobile phone if that occurs. 
  
  
• Question: I did not receive a confirmation request because my phone wasn't text enabled.  I have since contacted my mobile phone provider to enable it.  How do I send a reply even though I didn't receive one? 
  
  
• Answer: Simply text "SUBSCRIBE GCSU" to 23177 and you will be included in future text messages.  The Connect-ED service will then re-initiate the opt-in process and send you a confirmation request. You must reply by texting "YES GCSU" to 23177 or "Y GCSU" to complete the opt-in process.  It is also important to make sure you have provided your mobile phone information within your school's web portal at www.gcsu.edu/alert. 
  
  
• Question: How do I opt-out? 
  
  
• Answer: You may opt-out at any time by texting "STOP GCSU" to 23177" or "QUIT GCSU" to 23177.
  
  
• Question: What if I opted-out but later decide I would like to opt-in again? 
  
  
• Answer: You may request to begin receiving text messages by texting "SUBSCRIBE GCSU" to 23177. The Connect-ED service will then re-initiate the opt-in process and send you a confirmation request. You must reply by texting "YES GCSU" to 23177." or "Y GCSU" to complete the opt-in process. 
  
  
• Question: If I change mobile phone providers, do I need to opt-in again? 
  
  
• Answer: No.  Once your phone number has been opted-in, it stays registered within the system.

CONNECTING WHAT MATTERS

Student Instructions
You will need to know your myCATS username and password*, then proceed as follows:
1. Login to myCATS.
2. Click on the STUDENT tab.
3. Locate the PAWS LINKS channel and select PERSONAL INFO.
4. Click CONNECT FOR SAFETY.
5. Enter you cell phone number and click SUBMIT CAMPUS ALERT NUMBER.
6. Return to myCATS and logout.
7. Ready? Click the button to proceed.



Faculty/Staff Instructions
You will need to register for an an account first if you have not already done so. (This is the same site you currently use to verify your pay advises.).
Proceed as follows:

1. Sign in to the Employee Self Service Web site.
2. Click PERSONAL INFORMATION HOME.
3. Click PHONE NUMBER.
4. Click ADD A PHONE NUMBER and choose CELLULAR.
5. Enter you cell phone number click SAVE.
6. Sign out.
7. Ready? Click the button below to proceed.