Frequently Asked Questions About UMaine Alerts SMS/Text Messaging

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the SMS opt-in and opt-out process.

Question:
How do I opt-in to receive text messages from UMaine?

Answer:
As a message recipient, you can provide your text-enabled phone number to UMaine to input that information.

Question:
What happens after I sign up (opt-in) to receive text messages?

Answer:
After you sign up and we input your text-enabled phone number into the system, the Blackboard Connect service will automatically send a text message to your mobile phone to confirm your request.

Question:
What will the confirmation message say?

Answer:
The confirmation message will read the following:
UMaine Alerts: You are set to receive txt alerts per acct settings. For more info reply “HELP”. To opt out reply “STOP UMaine” Msg&data rates may apply.

Question:
What happens if I text reply “HELP”?

Answer:
If you text reply HELP, you will receive the following message:
Bb Connect notifications. Users receive relevant alerts. For more info
www.blackboardconnect.com/sms, sms@blackboard.com. To opt-out text STOP UMaine

Question:
From what number will these text messages originate?

Answer:
All confirmation text messages and subsequent alerts will come from 23177 or 63079. Please save these numbers and program them as UMaine so you can quickly recognize these numbers as the official sources of UMaine messages.

Question:
I did not receive a confirmation message. What happened?

Answer:
Please check with your mobile phone provider to find out if your device accepts text messages. You may also want to check with your provider to see if text messaging has been enabled. You may need to subscribe to a text messaging plan in order to receive or reply to text messages. Message and data rates may apply.

Question:
I did not receive a confirmation message because my phone wasn¿t text enabled. I have since contacted my mobile phone provider to enable it. Do I need another confirmation message sent?

Answer:
No. If your SMS phone was already submitted to our database, you should be confirmed to receive SMS alerts. However, you can check if you are opted-in by texting the word SUBSCRIBE to 23177 or 63079 and you will receive the following reply:
UMaine Alerts: This phone number has already been opted in. More info text reply “HELP” or “STOP UMaine” to opt-out

Question:
How do I opt-out?

Answer:
You may opt-out at any time by texting STOP UMaine” or QUIT UMaine” to 23177 or 63079, and you will receive the following reply:
UMaine Alerts: You are now confirmed to stop receiving text messages from UMaine.
More info, text reply “HELP” or go to www.blackboardconnect.com/sms.

Question:
What if I opted-out but later decide I would like to opt-in again?

Answer:
You may request to begin receiving text messages by texting SUBSCRIBE UMaine to 23177 or 63079.

Question:
Who pays for the text messages I receive on my phone?

Answer:
You are subject to all applicable messaging charges depending on your service provider. Standard message and data rates may apply.

Question:
If I change mobile phone providers but keep the same number, do I need to opt-in again?

Answer:
No. Once your phone number has been opted-in, it stays registered within the system.