OVERVIEW
Target audience: All McGill faculty, staff, and students
The following Frequently Asked Questions pertain to mobile device notifications distributed primarily by McGill Campus Safety during an emergency on campus.
Why do you need my mobile device number?
In the event of a major disruption or security threat, we want to send SMS text notifications to a communications device you are most likely to have with you or check frequently. Nearly every student, faculty, and staff member has a mobile device, most of which can receive text messages.
Can I opt in to the service with an international mobile number?
No. You can enter international phone numbers on the Mobile Devices page, but you can only opt in with a North American phone number to receive SMS text messages through McGill’s emergency notifications service.
If I opt in on my mobile device, will I receive text or voice notifications?
As of September 18, 2024, all mobile phone numbers opted-in from Minerva will receive SMS text messages. If your mobile device is configured to use text-to-speech, notifications from McGill will be read aloud.
Reminder: You must respond with a "1" to the confirmation message you will receive the day after you submit your mobile number on Minerva.
What if I replied "2" to the confirmation SMS message and accidentally opted out, or if I ignored the confirmation message?
Go back to Minerva. If you see your phone is still showing "Opt-in", select "Opt-out" and submit. Wait 24 hours, go back to Minerva and opt in again. Make sure to reply "1" when you receive the confirmation SMS message.
I want to opt out of emergency notifications, but I cannot access Minerva at this time.
You can contact the IT Service Desk and request that your mobile device(s) be opted out. When emailing the Service Desk, make sure to include the mobile device number, including area code, in addition to your full name.
What if I replied "STOP" to the confirmation SMS and now I want to opt in again to the service?
In this case, the best way to restore the service is to contact your mobile service provider and request that they unblock these two short codes: 647322 and 82104. Or Make a Request on the IT Support site to “Allow” your mobile phone number to receive notifications from the system.
How can I recognize messages coming from McGill’s Emergency Notification System?
Please log into the IT Support site to view the article How to recognize messages from McGill's Emergency Notification System for tips on how to protect yourself from fraud.
What kind of event would warrant an emergency notification?
Notifications will be issued during an existing or imminent event that affects the health or safety of students, faculty and staff. These can include but are not limited to, fires, floods, electrical outages, chemical spills, and University-wide class cancellations due to major weather events.
Notifications may also be sent out for urgent and time-sensitive announcements that are deemed pertinent to the campus community.
How often will we get messages from the service?
We anticipate up to two campus-wide tests per calendar year. Otherwise, we cannot predict how many actual events will warrant the use of the service.
What should I do when I receive an emergency notification from McGill?
Read or listen to the notification immediately. Once you have done so, follow any instructions provided and spread the word to others around you.
What if I replied "2" to the confirmation SMS message and accidentally opted out, or if I ignored the confirmation message?
Go back to Minerva. If you see your phone is still showing "Opt-in", select "Opt-out" and submit. Wait 24 hours, go back to Minerva and opt in again. Make sure to reply "1" when you receive the confirmation SMS message.
Is my personal information shared outside McGill?
No. A third-party cloud-hosted solution is used to distribute the SMS text messages; however, no personal information is transmitted outside the University. All confidential information is stored on McGill servers, and mobile device numbers are submitted with a unique identifier that cannot be linked to an individual.
