Western Emergency Alert System (WEAS)

Western Emergency Alert System (WEAS)

To enhance Western's emergency preparedness, the University operates an emergency communications system. The WIU Emergency Alert System (WEAS) allows WIU officials the ability to reach all students and employees with pertinent, time-sensitive information during unforeseen events or emergencies using voice, e-mail and text messaging.

WEAS Sign-up

Western Illinois University encourages everyone in our campus community to sign up for the Western Emergency Alert System. The contact information provided for the WEAS database will not be shared with other entities, and it will be kept private and confidential. The contact information is used only for the emergency alert system.

WIU Students
  • To access the Emergency Alert Notification screen, log into your STARS account.
  • New students are able to input emergency contact information as soon as they are admitted to WIU.
  • WIU students are able to add up to seven phone numbers and four email addresses.
  • It is recommended that users add at least one contact that is a non-WIU affiliated contact (i.e. non-WIU email or non-WIU phone number) in case WIU systems are impacted in an emergency.

The WIU Emergency Alert System is designed to contact enrolled students. If an individual plans to be on campus between semesters, such as during the summer, and wishes to be notified of emergencies that occur on campus during that time, they have an option to select a "Notify me between semesters" checkboxes.

WIU Employees
  • To access the screens on MVS/WIUP, go the MVS homepage and click “Launch WIUP in a new window”.
  • Once you are logged into WIUP, go to the screen titled “Emergency Alert Contact Update” and follow directions.
  • WIU employees are able to add up to seven phone numbers and four email addresses.
  • It is recommended that users add at least one contact that is a non-WIU affiliated contact (i.e. non-WIU email or non-WIU phone number) in case WIU systems are impacted in an emergency.

The WIU Emergency Alert System is designed to contact employees with active contracts. If an individual is not a full-time employee, but plans to be on campus between contracts and wishes to be notified of emergencies that may occur on campus during that time, they have an option to select a "Notify me between contracts checkbox.

Office Extensions and Automated Attendants

If you have a direct number that bypasses your department’s general number or automated attendant, then you should enter your direct telephone number for more efficient delivery of the WEAS message. If your extension (intercom) number is reached through the University’s automated attendant system, then yes, your extension (intercom) can be dialed by WEAS. You must, however, ensure that your three digit extension (intercom) number is correctly recorded on your Emergency Alert Contact Update screen.

After calling your main office number, as soon as the system detects an answer, the system will dial your three-digit extension (intercom) number.

For the Quad Cities campus, enter (309) 762-3999 as your main office number, and then add your five-digit extension.

Parents

Due to the way that WEAS connects with your child’s records, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) law protects their rights and thus the parent access must be set-up by the student. 

To do this, have your student log into their STARS account. Once logged in, the student should navigate to the “Emergency Alert Notification Update” screen.  Students are able to add up to seven phone numbers and four email addresses, which will then enable those individuals to receive the same emergency notifications that students receive.

TTY/TDD Options

If you are hearing impaired and have a TTY/TDD on which you would like to receive emergency notification messages, indicate the appropriate phone number in the TTY/TDD field on the Emergency Alert Contact Update screen.

NOTE: This number must match another number already provided in one of the other phone number fields (i.e. home, school, work, or cell).

Updating Information

Everyone registered for WEAS should remember to keep emergency information current. Every member of both the Macomb and Quad Cities WIU campus communities is required to update or simply verify their emergency contact information at the beginning of each term.

Emergency contact information can be updated on STARS (students) and MVS/WIUP (employees) at any time.

Please know that updates made on the Emergency Alert Contact Update screen will not update student or personnel records systems, only the WEAS database.

Frequently Asked Questions

I see a Caller ID display of 309/298-9999. Who is this?

When the WEAS sends a message, it will always display Caller ID information. This number represents a unique number that was established to help you recognize that the incoming message is an emergency notification. Please save this number on your cell phone as a contact.

I heard others received a text message on their cell phone from the emergency alert system, but I did not. Why?

To receive text messages, you need to enter your cell phone number on the Emergency Alert Contact Update screen in the “SMS Phone” field. Sign on to STARS (students) or MVS/WIUP (employees) to verify your information. If everything is correct, and you still do not receive messages, contact the Office of Risk Management at RMEP@wiu.edu.

I heard others received a voice message from the emergency alert system, but I did not. Why?

It is possible that your contact information was not properly loaded in the WEAS database or it may be inaccurate. Sign on to STARS (students) or MVS/WIUP (employees) to verify your information. If everything is correct, and you still do not receive messages, contact the Office of Risk Management at RMEP@wiu.edu.

I received an emergency message in my e-mail inbox, but when I clicked the link to play the message nothing happened. Why?

You may not have a default media player like Windows Media Player or Quicktime installed. Download these players from Microsoft.com or Apple.com and install them on your computer to listen to messages.

I received the message but it kept looping/repeating. Why?

The system attempts to detect whether it has reached a live person or an answering machine. Sometimes loud background noises may cause the system to loop. If this happens, use the mute feature on your phone or move to a quieter location to prevent the message from looping or repeating.

I received the message but I missed the information. What should I do?

While on the call, you can replay the message by pressing the star key (*) at the end of the message. You may also check your e-mail to locate the link for that message.

Am I allowed to leave fields blank on the Emergency Alert Contact Update screen?

Yes. The only field that must remain populated is your WIU e-mail address. That field is locked and may not be deleted. All other fields are editable and may be left blank if not applicable

I am a student who lives at school for part of the year and at my parent’s/guardian’s home for part of the year. What should I record in the “Home” phone number fields when I am providing my contact information?

The system allows two school phone numbers and two home phone numbers. Students should include their school residence phone number in one of the “School Phone” fields on the Emergency Alert Contact Update screen. You may also enter your parent/guardian’s home telephone number in one of the “Home Phone” fields. If you do this, your parent/guardian’s home telephone will be contacted if an emergency notification is initiated at any time during the semester.

If I change cell phone providers, do I need to change anything for WEAS?

No, as long as you keep the same phone number, you do not need to change your information in WEAS. If your phone number changes, you will need to sign on to STARS (students) or MVS/WIUP (employees) and go to the Emergency Alert Contact Update screen to change your cell phone number in the system.