Emergency Communication System FAQ’s
About “Connect” & Bates Emergency Notification System
1. What is “Connect”?
Connect is a secure emergency notification service that allows authorized Bates officials to send information and instructions simultaneously to individuals through land line phones, cellular phones, text messaging and e-mail. The benefits to the “Connect” service are its immediacy and direct access to members of the college community through multiple points of contact.
This service complements other mechanisms the college has in place to respond to emergencies and relay critical information using the most appropriate channels.
2. How does a member of the Bates community enter contact information so that it can be available for use in emergencies?
Students, Faculty and Staff must enter emergency contact information through the Garnet Gateway.
3. When entering data for use by the “Connect” system, may one include contact information for a spouse or significant other so that they, too will be alerted during emergencies?
No. “Connect” notifications are directed solely to the college member.
4. When entering data for use in the “Connect” system, may one only include text message address, but no phone numbers?
The “Connect” system requires at least one valid phone number in order to accept the entire record for a specific person. We will be loading faculty / staff home, office, and cell phone numbers if furnished. For students, we will load campus phone number and cell phone number if furnished.
5. Other members of the Bates community received emergency notification messages, but I did not. What should I do?
First, check your information in the Garnet Gateway for missing and incorrect information. Ensure that the phone numbers you supplied are valid. Remember, only student, faculty, and staff are included in the “Connect” system.
If your contact information is up to date and you believe you should have received a message, please send an e-mail to helpdesk@bates.edu.
6. Another member of my household is also a member of the Bates community, yet we only received one phone call to our home?
The system recognizes numbers that are repeated and will only connect to a unique phone number.
If you have additional questions about the “Connect” system, please contact helpdesk@bates.edu.