Watchdog Alert

The Navarro College Watchdog Alert system is a communications service used to quickly reach the campus community with urgent voice, text and email messages. It is used to send emergency alerts, notifications and updates to your e-mail address, campus phone, cell phone, and/or other e-mail accounts, mobile devices, and emergency contacts. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or tornado, the College will be able to send important alerts and updates right to your e-mail box, cell phone, or mobile device.

 

How does Watchdog Alert work?

In an emergency situation, an alert will be sent by an authorized College representative who has been trained in sending alerts . You will receive these messages on any phone, mobile device, or e-mail account that is registered with the Watchdog Alert System. Read or listen to these messages immediately and follow the instructions. Additional instructions may follow throughout the emergency situation.

 

Why is Navarro College offering this service?

The safety and security of the Navarro College campus community is of vital concern. A communications service, such as Watchdog Alert, is one of many tools used to enhance the College’s ability to provide an environment in which students, faculty, and staff feel safe and secure. 

 

Who receives Watchdog Alerts?

Watchdog Alerts go out to current students, employees, parents/guardians and community partners. This includes the following groups:

  • Students, employees, and parents/guardians currently attending a program affiliated with Navarro College. This includes Continuing Education, Police Academy, Fire, EMS, and Adult Education and Literacy

  • Parent/guardians of a current dual credit student

  • Current employee

  • Community partner

  • Registered student for an upcoming semester

 

How many devices/e-mail addresses can I add to my account?

You may have two devices and one e-mail address for your Watchdog Alert account.

 

When will Watchdog Alert be used?

Watchdog Alert will be activated in an emergency or when there is a known imminent threat to the safety and security to the campus community.  By law, we must conduct drills and test the Watchdog Alert system twice a year. To find information on how to prepare for an emergency, visit the Campus Safety page online.

 

CAMPUS DRILLS

Campus drills are conducted twice a year in October and March for each location (Corsicana, Mexia, Waxahachie, and Midlothian).  There will be two Watchdog Alerts to start and end drills for each campus.  After all campus drills have been completed, you should have received a total of eight (8) Watchdog Alerts.

 

WATCHDOG ALERT TESTING

During the first two weeks of the fall and spring semester, the Watchdog Alert system will be tested. This testing is to ensure the contact information is up-to-date for all current students and employees.  The test will include receiving an e-mail to confirm or update your contact information with Navarro College.  There will also be a Watchdog Alert Testing notification to ensure you are receiving the alerts.  To update or confirm your contact information, please visit Self-Service, User Options, and update both User Profile and Emergency Information.

 

Who sends out alerts?

The College has designated several employees authorized to send out alerts via Watchdog Alert. Depending upon the emergency, alerts may be sent to each device or selected groups registered in our system.

 

What types of alerts will be sent?

Alert types may include life safety, fire, weather, accidents involving utilities or roadways, team activation notifications, or disaster notification. A few examples of the types of messages that can be sent through Watchdog Alert are:

 

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

  • Notify students, faculty, and staff about an emergency condition

  • Notify students, faculty, and staff of available evacuation routes during an emergency

  • Activate special campus response teams

 

PRECAUTIONARY WARNINGS

  • Severe weather warnings

  • Change of status of an emergency condition

  • Precautionary evacuation orders

 

What should I expect when receiving a Watchdog Alert?

Students, employees, parent/guardians and community partners should expect receiving an e-mail, phone call, and text message.  A minimum of two notifications will be sent out to start and end an alert.  Additional notifications may be added to provide updates as needed.

 

Why do I get Watchdog Alerts for a campus I don't attend or I am only attending classes online?

The Watchdog Alert system is an emergency communication system for all students and employees, including those who attend or work on multiple campuses. This also includes students who are attending exclusively online. Each alert is communicated by a specific location and everyone receives all emergency notification regardless of campus location.

 

What if I don't get alerts via phone, text and email?

The best way to ensure you are receiving all notifications is to update your emergency information on Self-Service. Once you log on Self-Service, click on User Option, and update your contact information in both User Profile and Emergency Information.

 

How do I prevent SPAM filters from blocking my alerts?

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) utilize various methods to prevent unsolicited commercial e-mail (junk mail or spam) from being delivered to users’ mailboxes. Some of these methods may mistakenly classify Watchdog Alert alerts as such and not deliver the alert to the recipient. Each ISP has different set of steps to follow to assure these alerts get delivered directly to the users’ mailboxes. Typically the sender’s domain name must be added to an address book or ‘safe list’. To assure you receive Watchdog Alert e-mails and messages please add navarrocollege.edu to your address book or safe list. 

 

How can I receive updates in an emergency?

Updates may be sent via Watchdog Alert. In addition, updates will be posted on the College’s main website: www.navarrocollege.edu.

 

Will I be allowed to unsubscribe?

No. Because of the nature of the Watchdog Alert system you will not be able to unsubscribe. If your affiliation with the College ends, you will automatically be removed from the system so that you will no longer receive any communications. If you are not affiliated with any college program or current student and are still receiving Watchdog Alerts, please complete this online form to investigate the contact information listed.