Collin College is introducing a new program that will add to the convenience and safety of students, faculty and staff.

The college announced the implementation of CougarAlert, a subscriber-based messaging system that will allow college administrators to notify students, faculty and staff of campus closures, for example, on days with inclement weather.

Subscribers will be able to register by using their college e-mail. A notification reply will be sent by the program’s provider -- Skytel -- and the subscriber will be required to finish registration using the instructions provided.

Once in the system, they can choose several ways to receive notifications -- text message, e-mail  or  a digital phone message. The program is entirely voluntary and individuals can unsubscribe at any point. The database of names and contact information will be guarded by Skytel’s firewalls and only certain Collin College administrators will have access to the information. 

The system will not be used for any other purposes other than emergencies and campus closures. 

For more information about CougarAlert, visit www.ccccd.edu/cougaralert.