The University of Missouri-Rolla will test a larger air whistle to be used during campus emergencies at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20. The test, which will last less than one minute, will allow campus officials to determine how well the alarm can be heard across campus.

The replacement whistle was installed on top of the UMR Power Plant after previous tests demonstrated the volume of a smaller whistle was not loud enough to penetrate to the interiors of many campus buildings.

UMR Police will track how well the whistle is heard across campus, including the Residential College, Thomas Jefferson Residence Hall, Castleman Hall and the Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building. Officers will be stationed at various locations across campus to be sure the whistle can be heard.

All department chairs are asked to designate someone to monitor their areas during the test to ensure the siren can be heard throughout their buildings. Department representatives should report their findings to UMR Police by email at police@mst.edu.

Once it’s permanently installed, the whistle alert system will notify those on campus that a crisis event is taking place and to remind them to seek further information. Campus officials plan to implement a text-messaging system that could provide detailed information to subscribers. In addition, information will be made readily available on the UMR website and on UMR’s two crisis information phone lines: 341-7888 for faculty and staff, and 341-MINE for students.

When the system is ready, campus officials plan to test the system periodically. For more information please contact UMR Police at 573-341-4300 or email police@mst.edu.