McNeese State University is committed to protecting the privacy of our students, faculty, staff, and community members. This policy explains how the university will collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when sending out communications through the mass notification system, powered by Rave Mobile Safety (Rave Alert).

Information Collected

To effectively deliver critical, time-sensitive alerts, the University maintains specific contact information within the Rave Alert platform, which may include:

• Full name
• Institutional role (which may include student, faculty, staff, or community member)
• Mobile and landline phone number(s)
• Email address(es)

Communication Methods & Consent

McNeese utilizes a multi-channel approach to ensure notifications reach recipients reliably. Communications may be delivered via SMS text messages, automated emails, and recorded phone calls/voice messages.

• Emergency Alerts (Mandatory for Campus Community): In accordance with campus safety mandates and federal regulations (such as the Clery Act), enrollment in emergency alerts is automatic for all current students, faculty, and staff using contact information provided during registration or employment. These alerts are reserved for immediate threats to life, safety, or health on campus.
• Operational Messages (Public Keyword Opt-In): Notifications regarding routine campus operations, closures, or events are entirely optional and available to both the campus community and the general public. Enrollment in these lists requires an explicit, voluntary opt-in, typically completed by texting a designated keyword to the university’s 10DLC number.

Data Sharing and Third-Party Disclosure

McNeese maintains strict boundaries regarding personal contact details to comply with mobile carrier regulations and FCC standards:

• No Marketing or Promotion: Mobile phone numbers and personal data collected for institutional notifications will never be shared, rented, or sold to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
• Service Providers: Employee and student data is shared exclusively with the platform vendor, Rave Mobile Safety, solely to facilitate the technical delivery of text, email, and voice alerts.
• Legal Requirements: McNeese may disclose information only if required by law, such as to comply with a valid subpoena or enforceable governmental request.

Opt-Out and Managing Preferences

Employees and students retain control over their operational communication preferences:

• SMS Text Messages: Employees and students can opt out of keyword-based operational text notifications at any time by replying STOP to any text message received from the system.
• Voice and Email Preferences: Employees and students can manage institutional communication preferences by logging into the Banner/MyMcNeese portal.
• Support: If employees or students experience issues modifying their preferences or opting out, please contact the McNeese IT Help Desk at helpdesk@mcneese.edu.
• Note: Because emergency alerts are vital to campus safety, active employees and students cannot completely opt out of critical, life-safety text or voice alerts.

Charges

McNeese State University does not charge for this service. However, standard text messaging percentages, data rates, or phone call minutes may apply depending on the mobile carrier plan.

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.