(Rumor has it that Lady GaGa and Beyonce created this song in celebration of this new policy change.)

Last December, the UA funded a recycling bin pilot program, providing all residents of Fisher-Hassenfeld with a free recycling bin. The distribution kick-off party was held just last Sunday abuzz with free food, rubber ducks, and bins. If gauged successful, it is our goal to implement this on a much larger level. Stay tuned!

After meeting with Housing & Conference Services to address bathroom cleanliness, agreement was reached in principle to have adhesive stickers printed and put in the corner of bathroom mirrors in the Quad with the emergency number by which a number of different issues can be addressed. In the long term, we are working with Facilities to improve Facility Focus and explore the feasibility of a UA online form, in tandem with FacilityFocus servers, that would allow a more simple and intuitive submission of bathroom issues.

Through the Omnibus Recycling Resolution, the UA:

In the ASL resolution, the UA

Finally, the Bylaws Amendment:

Check out the meeting minutes here!

The Undergraduate Assembly, among other student groups, has made sustainability a core part of its mission through its housing, sustainability and facilities (HSF) committee. It has helped for coordinate outreach out the plan, hosting the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, Dan Garofolo, for a town-hall style meeting. Student leaders from over campus were able to ask questions following an informative presentation.

The UA’s response to the Climate Action Plan focused on the principles of leadership, environmental effectiveness, and student involvement. It commended the University for its environmental policies, called upon the University to commit to carbon neutrality, recommended further energy conversation incentives, and urged the university to be work with students interested in sustainability, among other recommendations.

You can read the minutes from the meeting here.

The UA hopes to continue its work on sustainability. Those interested in getting involved can apply to be an associate member for the HSF committee.

Not these sirens, unfortunately

From tomorrow until the 20th of August, you’ll likely hear the sound of Westminster Chimes as DPS tests their new siren system. Don’t be (a) alarmed, or (b) tricked into thinking time is passing much faster than normal. The system will be fully operational by the start of Fall semester, when it will be tested on the first Friday of each month at 11am until all the kinks have been worked out.

Except it’s still not a good deal for most undergraduates – to break even on the Pass, you have to take SEPTA at least twice every day (including weekends) on average. Check out below the fold for the math.

That being said, the PennPass is a great and convienent deal for our small but significant commuter undergraduate population. But it’s not a good deal for those living on campus; not even the most dedicated urbanite travels into Center City and back every single day of the week for the whole semester.

The UA will continue to lobby for a good deal for undergraduates across this city from SEPTA – hopefully with SEPTA’s transition to a tokenless system we will finally see a PennPass that works for undergrads!

The math adds up pretty easily:

1. A pass costs $280 per semester.

2. Fall semester has 94 days between first day of classes and last day of finals (inclusive), according to the Registrar. Note that the Pass does run for the whole of September and December in the Fall, but are you really going to be here before term starts and after Finals?

3. $280 per semester divided by 94 days comes to $2.90 per day.

4. A SEPTA Token costs $1.45. It is good for one trip.

5. $1.45 multiplied by 2 comes to $2.90.

6. $2.90 is what you’re spending per day on the PennPass.

BOTTOM LINE: The PennPass is only worth your money (breaking even, not saving anything) if and only if you take SEPTA twice every day, including Saturday and Sunday.

Coverage of the new Penn SOS System

A few weeks ago, the Division of Public Safety staged a public launch of the Penn Siren Outdoor System (appropriately titled Penn SOS). This means that in the case of a major emergency, DPS has the option of adding a community-wide siren and public address alert to the existing email/text/phone alert system.

The system will be tested both over the summer (August 18th to August 20) and then once a month on Friday at 11am until the system works fully. All tests will use Westminster Chimes. In an emergency you will hear a fifteen (15) second siren followed by a voice intelligible message instructing you on what to do. This will repeat three (3) times. When the crisis has passed, the system will emit a series of beeps followed by a voice saying it is “All Clear”.

The UA and GAPSA worked with DPS to ensure that this important new system would be tested appropriately, communicated to everyone on campus including new freshmen, and did not interfere with major worship services; we’re confident that the new system will be well tested and add significantly to the safety of students in an emergency. But don’t think that the siren gives you an excuse to not put your phone into UPennAlert – if you haven’t added your emergency contact details, you are a silly person! Do so right now!

Check out more details and an FAQ below the jump.

UPennAlert FAQ

What is the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System?

UPennAlert is a Mass Notification System (MNS) that is used for fast and efficient dissemination of critical information during an emergency. Currently the University can notify all Penn faculty, staff and students via personal electronic devices (cell phones, pda, handhelds, etc,) through text messaging, voicemail and email. The DPS website will also be used to continue to update the public as an event unfolds. The University can also notify the general public via the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS) which can emit voice intelligible emergency messages from 13 strategically placed sirens across Penn’s campus.

What are Personal Electronic Devices and what technology does the University use to send a UPennAlert to them?

The term ‘Personal Electronic Devices’ is used to describe common personal communication technology. This includes, cell phones, PDA devices and landlines.

The University uses MIR3™ to send all notifications via personal electronic devices. MIR3 is the technology leader in Intelligent Notification (IN™) solutions for global enterprises. For more information about MIR3™, please visit their website at the following address: http://www.mir3.com.

What is the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS) and what technology is used to send a UPennAlert with this system?

Penn SOS is an outdoor emergency notification system that serves Penn’s campus and the surrounding community.

The System uses 13 speakers, strategically placed throughout campus, that can simultaneously or individually be utilized. The speakers can emit an audible alert or voice intelligible message to a section of campus or the entire University area.

Why does the University of Pennsylvania need Penn SOS?

Penn SOS serves as an extra layer of protection to supplement other comprehensive safety protocols at Penn. With the implementation of Penn SOS, mass notification capabilities can be extended to the broader Penn community, visitors and neighbors that are on or near Penn’s campus.

How will Penn use the UPennAlert emergency notification system?

In the event of a major emergency affecting the Penn and University City community, you will receive an emergency communication on your phone numbers registered in the Penn Directory via text-message and voicemail, in addition to an email notification sent to your Penn email account, from the Division of Public Safety.

What other means will be used by Penn to communicate emergency information?

The UPennAlert Emergency Notification System provides our students, faculty and staff with an additional layer of security and protection in emergency response, in conjunction with our already well-established emergency communication methods, which include: University-wide broadcast emails, online updates via the Penn and Division of Public Safety homepages, coordinated use of public media outlets, and public address systems within all College Houses.

Will Penn be testing the Penn Alert system?

YES: The Division of Public Safety, in conjunction with our University partners, will periodically conduct emergency drills using the UPennAlert system. The University community will be notified in advance of all emergency tests and drills.

Who can I contact for More Information?

For more information, contact the Division of Public Safety, Office of the Vice President at (215) 898-7515.

How do I enter my contact information for use by the UPennAlert system?

Access Penn-In-Touch, click “Personal, Private, and Emergency”, go to “Emergency Contact Details”, and put your details in there. This information will automatically be uploaded to MIR3™’s software application within one hour of submission.

Please provide the name and address for “Other Emergency Contact Person” in the appropriate fields. Additionally, you can enter up to four other phone numbers for emergency contacts (such as parent, spouse, guardian, other cell, other residence, and/or other pager).

We strongly recommend that you include a phone number for a parent/legal guardian in the available field.

How will I know when I receive a message from the UPennAlert system?

The Caller ID function on your cell phone or landline (if available) will display the following number:

215.573.3333 (enter this number in your phone so you know to expect it)

This is the emergency communications number (similar to 911) for Penn’s Division of Public Safety, and will identify the number as: Penn Pub Safety

Will Penn correct my personal contact information when it is wrong?

Penn will not verify the accuracy of the contact information you enter. Please check and edit your information as necessary to ensure that the University’s records are accurate and up to date.

How do I know that all of my personal data will be secure and protected by the University and by MIR3™?

The contact information that you enter into the Penn Directory, such as your cell phone number, will only be provided to MIR3™ for the explicit purposes of notifying you in the event of an emergency. MIR3™ has agreed that they have no right to use your contact information for any purpose other than notifying you via the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System. They do not have rights to sell, disclose or trade your contact information.

Only the Individuals employed by the University of Pennsylvania who must use this information to administer and manage the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System will have access to your contact information. No other access will be allowed except as may be required by law.

On what devices will I receive an emergency notification?

You will receive an emergency notification from the UPennAlert system on devices (i.e. cell phones and landlines) included in your Penn Directory or Penn InTouch listing. Additionally, an email notification will be sent to your listed University email account, and any email accounts registered.

Will I receive unsolicited messages (“SPAM”) on my cell phone or email account as a result of giving my cell phone number to the University?

NO: The UPennAlert system has a rigid security policy in which authorized personnel ONLY are permitted to send messages using the UPennAlert system in the case of an emergency. The UPennAlert system adheres strictly to a ZERO SPAM policy that clearly prohibits unsolicited messages. Furthermore, the University cannot and will not sell the contact information of UPennAlert subscribers to third party marketers.

Is there a charge for subscribing to receive emergency messages via the UPennAlert system?

There is no charge for the UPennAlert service from the University of Pennsylvania. Depending on your wireless carrier provider and the plan you have, you may be charged a nominal fee (e.g. ten cents per message) to receive SMS text messages. For those with unlimited text messaging plans, there would be no additional charge.

Do I need to install software on my PDA or cell phone to receive text messages or emails?

NO: The UPennAlert system, as powered by MIR3™, uses a standard industry SMS text messaging protocol to send messages to your phone. Your mobile phone plan will need to accept text messages to work properly.

When will you deactivate my subscription to the UPennAlert system?

Your contact information will be removed from the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System when there is a change in your affiliation with the University (for students – graduation; for faculty/staff – change in employment status).

If I switch cell phone service providers, do I have to notify Penn that I have changed providers, even though my cell phone number remains the same?

The UPennAlert system will automatically transfer your contact information from one service provider to the next. If your actual cell phone number changes, you will have to update your most current number with the Penn Directory.

When will Penn SOS be tested?

Penn SOS will be tested on the first Friday of every month at 11:00am using Westminster Chimes. Additionally, Penn SOS will be used once a year in conjunction with the University’s annually required campus wide test of the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System. This test will be announced in advance and posted on the Public Safety and University of Pennsylvania homepages.

What should I do during a system test?

There is no need to take any action when you hear the monthly Penn SOS test. You should continue your regular activities during this test. Only Penn faculty, staff, and students will be instructed on what steps to follow during the annual required UPennAlert Emergency Notification System test. All non-Penn faculty, staff, and students should continue your regular activities during this annual test.

What does Penn SOS sound like?

There are three (3) possible sounds you will hear depending on if we are testing the system, having an actual emergency, or sounding an “All Clear”.

Testing: Systems tests of Penn SOS will be conducted using Westminster Chimes.

Emergency: In an emergency you will hear a fifteen (15) second siren followed by a voice intelligible message instructing you on what to do. This will repeat three (3) times.

All Clear: When it is deemed safe to resume your normal activity, the System will emit a series of beeps followed by a voice saying it is “All Clear”.

When will Penn SOS be activated?

Penn SOS will only be activated in case of an emergency after the University Division of Public Safety and University administration assess the need for mass notification. Examples of emergencies where the sirens would likely be activated include:

1. Active Shooter on Campus

2. Hazardous Materials Incident

3. Severe Weather Emergency

4. Explosion

What should I do if I hear Penn SOS?

Penn SOS will be used to alert you of an on-going or pending emergency situation. Follow the instructions given and wait for an “All Clear” indication from the system. If possible, tune to local TV and radio stations for additional information. Penn staff, faculty, and students should anticipate a message on your personal electronic devices (i.e. cell phone).

To learn more about Evacuation, Shelter-In-Place, Lock Out, Lock Down and other emergency procedures visit the Emergency Procedures page for PennReady.

In what areas of the city will Penn SOS be heard?

Penn SOS is designed to reach Penn’s outdoor campus environment. Individuals in areas neighboring the University of Pennsylvania may also be able to hear the system. The map at the top of the post indicates the areas in which Penn SOS will be audible.