Penn To Install Bangin' Stereo System

Yesterday at UTB headquarters, our daily 90-minute sensory deprivation chamber naps were interrupted by the sounds of our AOL accounts all saying "You've Got Mail" in unison. First we were annoyed that our chambers weren't strong enough to block the noise (if you know of a higher grade chamber than the ones we've been using, let us know) but then we saw what the email said and it was great news! The UPennAlert Emergency Notification System has a new component: the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS). It's a series of 13 speakers around campus that can "transmit emergency alert tones and voice intelligible messages to the outdoor campus environment." Tests of the system using the Westminster Chimes will be held every first Friday of the month at 11 a.m. starting October 2nd, but who likes sleeping in on Fridays anyway? Check out more info here.

Our three thoughts:

1) More safety precautions: awesome.

2) Westminster Chimes: awesome.

3) Hypothetical improper use of the system: not awesome. See, we're worried that maybe some students, on a nice April day, would find a way to hijack the system. And we want to say that we in no way endorse people figuring out a way to get into the speaker system to play the "Electric Slide" throughout all of campus because that would be an incredible misuse of this new tool and it would put our security at risk for 4 fantastic minutes and it would be the greatest thing in the entire world so we want nothing to do with that.

Full email after the jump...

To the Penn Community,

The University is pleased to unveil the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS), which is phase two of the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System.  This thirteen (13) speaker system has the ability to transmit emergency alert tones and voice intelligible messages to the outdoor campus environment.  Penn SOS is not designed to penetrate buildings, but will be audible above normal street noise.

Currently, the UPennAlert System serves fifty-two thousand (52,000) Penn affiliates by delivering emergency notifications via electronic devices (i.e., cell phones, PDAs, and landlines).  Penn SOS provides an additional layer of protection for the Penn Community and our visitors. It offers the advantage of communicating with all individuals outdoors across Penn's campus who might not otherwise receive notification of a major event.  In the event of a large scale emergency, both systems could be used to alert people in the area of an immediate, hazardous situation.

Penn SOS speakers will be installed during July and August 2009 and each speaker will be individually tested.  Once all speakers are in place, simultaneous testing will occur from August 18th to August 20, 2009.  When the system is fully implemented tests will be conducted monthly to ensure system reliability.  These tests will occur on the first Friday of each month at 11:00 a.m. beginning October 2, 2009.  All tests will use the Westminster Chimes as the test tone so as not to alarm the public or disrupt University business.

For more information about Penn SOS and to hear samples of the Westminster Chimes and Penn SOS alert tones visit: http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/upennalert .   To learn about other important features of PennReady the University's Emergency Preparedness program, please go to http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/pennready or contact the Division of Public Safety, Office of the Vice President at (215) 898-7515.

Sincerely,

Craig Carnaroli, Executive Vice President                               Vincent Price, Provost