Millennials are all about mobile technology, and higher education institutions like colleges and universities are adapting with the most up-to-date ways of communicating. Express messaging is one of those ways that administrators keep up with student communications.

As an automated mass notification system, express messaging is useful for sending students and staff everything from emergency alerts to non-urgent reminders about events or deadlines.

With just one message and one click, administrators reach students instantly through text, email, or automated calls to keep them safe, informed, and connected.

Emergency alerts

We all hope that there’s never an emergency situation on a college campus, but administrators simply must have a communication plan in place just in case. Whether the issue is a major storm warning or a dangerous situation that calls for a campus lock-down, students and staff need to be aware of the situation immediately.

With express messaging, mass notifications are sent instantly to inform the students and staff about exactly what’s happening and how to stay safe. Alerts and messages can be sent as often as needed to update the students and staff about the situation and to instruct them on any changes in safety protocol.

Express messages can alert students about urgent issues such as:

• A safety issue that warrants a campus lock-down
• The need to take emergency shelter due to weather
• The need for campus evacuation due to weather, a gas leak, or chemical spill
• Cancelled classes due to weather or unforeseen events

Non-urgent notifications

Colleges and universities of all sizes are also relying on express messaging to connect with students about non-emergency communications, such as:

• Notifications of campus events
• Reminders about deadlines
• Reminders about classes and seminars
• Any change in campus services
• Reminders about sports or extracurricular activities

Simple and affordable

The process of setting up, sending, and receiving express messages is quick and simple. Students sign up once through an online portal and choose whether they want to receive messages via text, email, or an automated call.

And for the college or university administration that will be sending the messages, there is no installation of equipment and no software to download. The system operates from an independent, large-scale phone and IT infrastructure that ensures secure, fast distribution of messages. Even if the school’s internet is down or the administrator is somewhere without internet access, live call operators are available to help send messages at no charge, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Express messaging is also extremely affordable—the cost is a fraction of what it would cost for a staff member or administrator to organize and manage communication lists. Higher education administrators should take note, though, and be sure to choose an express messaging service that doesn’t base pricing by how many messages you send and by how many recipients there are on your list. Some express messaging services charge 25¢ for each text, email, or call per person contacted, which quickly adds up. Look for express messaging with fixed rates and unlimited usage.

Voice Link of Columbus, Inc. offers express messaging at just $2.50 per group member, which is a one-time payment, once a year, for unlimited messages. There’s also no contract or long term commitment. We offer month-to-month service agreements to meet your unique needs, with no hidden fees. Our excellent reputation, expert staff, and state-of-the-art telecommunications services will exceed your expectations.

If you’d like to learn more about how Voice Link of Columbus, Inc. can partner with your school or educational institution to provide express messaging, please call us at (800) 262-2799 for a free consultation, or request information online.