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> Warning Systems
> Disability Services
> Code Blue Phones

Warning Systems

Timely warning of an impending emergency is necessary for the safety of individuals and the preservation of property. A clear understanding of the meaning of such warnings is paramount if proper action is to be taken. The University employs the following Systems:

Outdoor Warning System - The Siren

Alert Signal (often called the "tornado siren")

The alert signal is a five-minute steady tone sounded over our outdoor siren system. Most often used in severe weather, it is not only a tornado alert; this siren simply means that you should turn on your radio or television for information and recommended action. This system is tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 1:00 p.m.

Attack Warning (This is often called the "air raid siren")

The attack warning is a five-minute wavering tone. This signal means that an attack against the country has been detected and that personal protective action should be taken. Turn your radio to an Emergency Alert Station. (E.A.S.) for more information.

Internal Warning System

The University of Minnesota employs a system utilizing its existing telephone capabilities. This system is referred to as the "group alert." It allows the University Police Department and the Department of Emergency Management to record an emergency message and disseminate it to designated offices and buildings throughout the Twin Cities Campus. It is activated whenever an emergency, tornado, severe storm, hazardous material release, or major fire threatens the campus and its occupants. This system is tested monthly on the first Wednesday following the test of the outdoor warning at 1:05 p.m.

For further information on these topics try the FEMA and the NOAA Web sites.

Tone Alert Radio

The Tone Alert Radio or "TAR," is a one-way radio receiver. The University of Minnesota Police Department will activate the radio anytime there is urgent information regarding a situation affecting the Twin Cities campus. For example:

1. Severe weather (tornado, thunderstorm) watches or warnings
2. Street/building closures due to fire, gas leak, chemical spill, etc.
3. "All-clear" messages after any of the following

Please note that you are still encouraged to purchase an inexpensive weather alert radio for your area. The radio alerts are sent after the Police Department receives information regarding severe weather. A weather alert radio receives the warnings as soon as the National Weather Service issues them.

Radio Installation and Operation

Screw in the antenna on the back of the radio, plug in the radio to a standard wall outlet, and leave it plugged in! That's all.

Battery Back-Up

The radio has a battery back-up that is good for six hours, in case of power failure or movement to another outlet. The radio will continue to receive messages, but will lose effectiveness as the battery wears down.

There is a green "POWER" light on the front of the radio. If the light is blinking, the radio is being powered by the battery. If the light is blinking, make sure that the radio is plugged in!

Receiving Emergency Alerts

If an alert is issued, the radio will sound a loud alarm, the police dispatcher will speak, and you will hear a message. You do not have to do anything to listen to the message. Spread the word throughout your area--these messages are intended for everyone!

Resetting the Radio

After an alert has been broadcast, the radio will continue to receive messages, although the red "ALERT" light will flash. To turn off this light, simply press the yellow "RESET/TEST" button. The light will flash after an alert until you push the "RESET/TEST" button, and messages may be broadcast while you are away. If you notice the light flashing, just press the "RESET/TEST" button.

Testing the Radio

The alert system is tested the first Wednesday of the month at 1:05 pm. Other tests may occur based on the needs of the University Community. To test the alert tones yourself, press the "MONITOR" and "RESET/TEST" buttons at the same time. The tone will be activated. After you do this, press the "RESET/TEST" button to turn off the flashing "ALERT" light.

If the radio detects a problem with itself, the "TEST" light will flash once per second. If this occurs, please contact the Department of Emergency Management at 612-625-8047.

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Disability Services

Disability services are provided by the University to promote program and physical access, which means ensuring the rights of people with disabilities and assisting the University in meeting its obligations under federal and state statutes.

Disability Services works to provide or arrange accommodations to ensure access to University programs, facilities, services, and activities; improve the design/ construction and understanding/support of the campus environment; and as a resource for information and services.

Disability Services provides a wide range of services to the University community including disability documentation and information, referral, reasonable accommodation assessment, advocacy, academic/work assistance, sign language interpreting, test accommodations, document conversion, career development, support, training, and consultation.

The following operating guidelines have been developed to clarify the role of Disability Services on campus.

• Open to University faculty, staff and students as a resource on disability and related issues.
• Provides or arranges reasonable accommodations to students and employees who have a documented impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities or who are in the process of obtaining such documentation.
• Advocates for disability-related accommodations to be made on an individualized and flexible basis, to ensure full participation in University programs, facilities, services, and activities.
• Supports a decentralized service model which assists University departments in providing access to people with disabilities in the most integrated settings possible.
• Recognizes that students and employees with disabilities have the option of identifying themselves as having a disability and utilizing accommodations.
• It is the disabled individual's responsibility to make their needs known and request assistance.

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