Make sure you’re staying in touch with Western to keep up on all the latest news

From quarterly newsletters to emergency text messages, there are more ways then ever to stay in touch with Western.

Soundings quarterly newsletters: The free publication offers campus news and program information to families of Western students. Make sure Western’s office of New Student Services/`Family Outreach has your address. Click: Update your contact info.

Parent Connection: Parents also can join Parent Connection, Western’s outreach program to parents and families. In addition to a monthly e-newsletter identifying upcoming campus events, members have opportunities to network and volunteer with other parents of Western students.

To learn more, click here, or go to www.nssfo.wwu.edu, e-mail nssfo@wwu.edu, or call (360) 650-3846.

Emergency text messages: Students and families can now get text messages with critical information during an emergency on Western’s campus.

Public Information Emergency Response (PIER) allows rapid distribution of emergency messages called Western Alerts via text messaging to cell phones or e-mail.

The system will be used during emergencies that endanger personal safety, such as a campus closure during weather that’s too treacherous for traveling.

“In many emergencies, the key is how quickly people are notified, so they can make good decisions,” said Paul Cocke, director of university communications.

But so far, less than a third of students have registered for the cell phone text messages.

Students can register their cell phone numbers at the MyWestern portal at www.wwu.edu.

Families may register their cell phone numbers by clicking here or going to Western’s emergency information site, emergency.wwu.edu.

The university’s emergency information web site will also carry regular updates during an emergency incident on campus.