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Code Maroon - Emergency Notification System

Texas A&M Health

HSC Alert — Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

A: When there is no perceived imminent danger. HSC Alert will not be used to send other University messages.

A: For information about campus emergency preparedness, visit the Texas A&M Health Emergency Preparedness home page.

A: Charges will depend on your wireless provider and plan. You may be charged a nominal fee (e.g., twenty cents per message) to receive text messages. For those with unlimited text messaging plans, there is no additional charge.

A: Follow the directions communicated in the alert. Emergency updates will be posted at emergency.health.tamu.edu as they become available.

A: All HSC Alert text messages will be sent from number/short code 237233. You may want to save this number in your mobile address book under the name "HSC Alert" for easy identification. HSC Alert emails will automatically be sent to all Texas A&M Health Gmail accounts ending with "@email.tamu.edu" and Texas A&M Health Exchange email addresses. Email messages will be sent from codemaroon@tamu.edu. You can verify any message you receive by checking http://codemaroon.tamu.edu to see if an alert was issued.

A: For more information during an emergency, visit emergency.health.tamu.edu.

A: You will typically receive an "All Clear" message from the HSC Alert system. It is also recommended that you monitor other communication outlets like the local news and emergency.health.tamu.edu to stay informed.

A: Once an incident is reported, emergency officials must confirm the facts with the appropriate authorities before they can activate the HSC Alert emergency alert system. Approval to send HSC Alerts alerts is given by the Health School Dean.

Once the HSC Alert system is activated, the HSC Alert delivery process begins. The phone numbers of those registered to receive text message alerts are bundled and sent to an aggregator in groups. The aggregator identifies what carrier each cell number belongs to and sends the text messages to the appropriate cell phone carriers (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.). This process continues until the aggregator processes all phone number bundles. The carriers deliver the messages to their customers on their own schedule. Some carriers deliver messages faster than others. No technology is 100 percent effective, so HSC Alerts use multiple notification channels in a best effort to notify Texas A&M Health of an emergency.

A: The time stamp included in the message is the time that the message's wording was approved and prepared for publication. There is a minimal delay between the time the message is approved and the time the message is actually sent, but this is usually no more than a few minutes.

A: A list of emergency training provided by the university is available at https://ehs.tamu.edu/home/training-opportunities/.

A: AppArmor and Twitter automatically convert any links included in the alert messages into a short URL. These links will open a browser page to a Texas A&M website with more information about the alert message.

Enrolling in HSC Alert

A: Texas A&M University students, faculty and staff who have a NetID and password or a Single Sign On (SSO) Identifier and password may register one number to receive text message alerts. To enroll, visit http://codemaroon.tamu.edu, Click on Campus Members, select Texas A&M Health, and follow the simple sign-up process. For informational purposes, you will also need to submit an email address. Emergency email alerts will only be sent to Texas A&M Gmail addresses ending with "@email.tamu.edu" and Texas A&M Exchange email addresses. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email and text message within 10 minutes verifying that you have successfully registered. If you do not receive either confirmation message, please see the Troubleshooting section below. Parents, guardians and other non-campus members can sign up for text alerts. Visit HSC Alert's Public Access page to learn how.

A: There is no sign-up process to receive email alerts. HSC Alert automatically sends email alerts to all Texas A&M Email addresses ending with "@email.tamu.edu" and Texas A&M Exchange email addresses. Visit HSC Alert's Public Access page to learn how.

A: Parents, family and friends of Texas A&M can receive HSC Alert text message alerts by following the HSC Alert Twitter account, named “HSCAlert” or registering for text message alerts on our vendor’s subscriber portal, installing the HSC Alert mobile app on an iOS or Android device. Step-by-step instructions are provided at Texas A&M Health’s Public Access page.

If you would like someone to walk you through setting up Twitter, please call Help Desk Central at 979.845.8300.

A: Yes. All cell phone networks and carriers are supported by HSC Alert.

A: No, but your text device must be able to accept text messages. If you do not receive the confirmation text message after registering for HSC Alert, please see the Troubleshooting section for further instructions.

A: The fastest opt-in methods are the mobile app, text messaging, and Twitter. These methods are faster than email. Subscribers are encouraged to install the HSC Alert mobile app and register for text message alerts.

A: It is possible that HSC Alert text messages may be blocked by certain "Do-Not-Call" lists. If you don't receive the text message confirmation when you register on this website, please contact Help Desk Central for assistance.

A: Yes. Your personal information will not be released or sold to any third party.

A: No. HSC Alert enforces a ZERO SPAM policy that prohibits unsolicited messages. Furthermore, our vendor is prohibited from selling the contact information of HSC Alert subscribers to third-party marketers.

A: Texas A&M Health's goal is to reach as many people on campus as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency. By limiting text message alerts to one number for Texas A&M Health students, employees, and guests, the messages can be delivered more quickly. To learn more, visit the HSC Alert’s Public Access page.

A: Texas A&M Health's goal is to reach as many people on campus as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency. By limiting email alerts to official Texas A&M Email addresses, the messages can be sent more quickly. Anyone can receive alerts on their computer by following HSCAlert on Twitter. To learn how, visit Texas A&M Health's Public Access page.

HSC Alert Account

 A: Yes. To change your contact information, visit http://codemaroon.tamu.edu,Click on Campus Members, select Texas A&M Health, and follow the simple sign-up process.

A: To opt out of HSC Alerts text message alerts:

  1. From the device receiving the text messages, send a new text message to short code 237233 with the message “STOP”.
    You should receive a reply text message stating you won’t receive text message from AppArmor’s notification system.
  2. You can reverse the suppression of text messages by sending a new text message to short code 237233 with the message “START”.

You cannot opt out of HSC Alert email alerts. See “Why can’t I sign up for email alerts?” above.

A: HSC Alert provides multiple notification options. To learn more, visit the Notification Methods page.

A: Once you register to receive text message alerts, your account will exist until you disable it or as long as you are a student or employee at Texas A&M University. Your account will be automatically deleted a short time thereafter. An attempt will be made to notify you before your account expires at the informational email address provided when you registered. To disable your account, see "How do I stop receiving HSC Alert by text message or email?" above.

A: You are responsible for updating your information in HSC Alert if your contact information changes. To change your contact information, refer to the "Can I change my mobile phone number or informational email address" question above.

A: HSC Alert is a standalone system that requires very little personal information to be effective. The detailed Personal Emergency Contact information is not used as part of the HSC Alert system. If you want HSC Alert notifications sent to your text device, you must register by visiting http://codemaroon.tamu.edu, Click on Campus Members, select Texas A&M Health, and follow the simple sign-up process.

A: Call Help Desk Central at 979.845.8300.

HSC Alert Tests

Yes. Texas A&M Health may conduct regular testing of the system. Test dates may be announced. The test messages’ content will make it obvious the message is only a test.

As new notification methods become available, additional testing may be needed to measure performance. In these instances, only certain notification methods may be tested, so you may not receive the tests unless you have registered to receive alerts from that notification outlet. You may also receive more than one test message if you registered for multiple notification methods (i.e., you are registered to receive text alerts, you installed the HSC Alert mobile app, and you follow "HSCAlert" on Twitter.)

A: A test of the system and its various components provides valuable data on the performance of the system and associated procedures. These tests allow Emergency Management officials to refine and improve various procedures.

A: HSC Alert test messages will always indicate that "This is only a test."

A: If you don't receive the campus-wide test message, please see the Troubleshooting section below.

Troubleshooting For HSC Alert

A: The easiest way to check is to have a colleague or friend attempt to send you a text message, and in return, send them a text message. If either does not work, you should check with your mobile provider to verify whether your plan or service includes text messaging. If you still have questions, contact Help Desk Central at 979.845.8300.

Computer Alerts

A: Yes. Campus members can download the desktop notifier. Refer to the "How do I download and install the Desktop Notifier on my computer or laptop?" question below.

You must have administrative rights for your computer in order to install the Desktop Notifier. To download:

  1. Go to codemaroon.tamu.edu.
  2. Click on Campus Members and log in with your credentials.
  3. Choose the Computer Alerts tab and follow the steps to download.

After downloading the Notifier, click installation instructions for Mac or installation instructions for Windows and follow the step-by-step guide.

A: You must have administrative rights for your computer in order to uninstall Desktop Notifier. Click instructions for uninstalling on Mac or instructions for uninstalling on Windows and follow the step-by-step guide.

A: When the Desktop Notifier is installed and monitoring properly, an icon will be displayed in the system tray of your computer that looks like a triangle with a green circle over it.

Desktop Notifier

If you hover your mouse over the icon, a window should popup and display your alerting system name and status (e.g., “connected”, “connecting”, “disconnected”, etc.). If the icon is not displaying a green circle, then your computer will not receive alerts. For questions, contact Help Desk Central at 979.845.8300.

Yes, After the Desktop Notifier is installed and running, you need to confirm which HSC Alerts the application will receive. You must select at least one TAMU Health location. You select location(s) by right-clicking the application’s icon, click on “Settings”, and select the desired locations. Lastly, click the “SAVE” button at the bottom of the window to save your selections. For information about additional HSC Alert notification methods, visit codemaroon.tamu.edu , select your campus from the menu and click on Notification Methods.

HSC Alert Mobile App

A: The HSC Alert App works for anyone with with an Android or iOS device and allows public access to emergency alert notifications and additional safety features.

A: AppArmor provides the campus-wide emergency alert system and the HSC Alert mobile app for Texas A&M Health. The AppArmor privacy policy is available at: http://apparmor.com/About/Privacy/.

A: The Friend Walk feature works anywhere and allows you to choose anyone to monitor your progress.

A: Yes, the Mobile Blue Light is a digital version of the campus Blue Light emergency phones. You will be asked to confirm that you wish to “Trigger Mobile Blue Light.” Once confirmed, a call will be placed to the 911 call center closest to your location. Please note that it is illegal to call 911 in Texas when it is not an emergency.

A: Step 1 of 2: On the main page of the HSC Alert App, select the “About / Preferences” button and scroll down to select “Notification Settings.”

Your device will receive HSC Alert notifications if:

  1. You see a red button with “Disable Notifications” on the App screen
  2. You have notifications turned on for the HSC Alert App on your device.
  3. Your device has an active data connection (e.g., a Wi-Fi connection or an internet connection provided by your carrier)

Mobile App Disable Notifications

The HSC Alert App will not receive HSC Alert notifications if:

  1. You see a white button with “Enable Notification” on the App screen.
  2. You have notification turned off for the HSC Alert App on your device.
  3. You do not have a data or internet connection.

Mobile App Enable Notifications

Step 2 of 2: Ensure your device has notifications enabled for the mobile app (see Step 1 of 2 above). On the main page of the HSC Alert App, select the “About / Preferences” button and scroll down to select “Notification Settings.”

At the bottom of the page, find the phrase "Trouble receiving notifications? Tap here to launch our troubleshooter." and tap the phrase:

  1. A browser page will open entitled "Push Notification Troubleshooting".
  2. Click on the button at the bottom of the page entitled "Send Notification to Device". If the mobile app can receive HSC Alerts then the following actions will occur on your device:
    1. A message will popup that the notification was sent to the mobile app installed on your device".
    2. The mobile app should also receive a push notification from HSC Alert on your device.

If your device does not display the test notification in the mobile app, uninstall the HSC Alert Mobile App and download it again from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Then perform the two steps above to confirm your device will receive the alert notifications from the HSC Alert App.”

A: Starting with Android 11, if you do not interact with your app for a few months, the app will automatically be placed in a hibernation state by the operating system. This is the default behavior of the operating system, and it currently cannot be disabled programmatically by the app.

Most notably, devices running Android 12 or higher will not be able to receive push notifications once the app is put into hibernation. Furthermore, if you interact with the app to remove it from hibernation, the app will continue to be unable to receive push notifications until you explicitly re-enable the notification permission in the app’s settings. To re-enable your app's notification permission, refer to the How do I confirm my mobile device will receive alert notifications from the HSC Alert Mobile App? question above.

A: Starting with iOS 11, Apple introduced a feature that will “offload” unused apps if device storage becomes low. While user data is maintained, the app will not be visible unless the user restores it to their device via the App Store. If an app is offloaded, it may still receive push notifications, but opening the push will direct the user to the App Store as opposed to opening the full content of message within the app.

To re-enable your app's notification permission, refer to the How do I confirm my mobile device will receive alert notifications from the HSC Alert Mobile App? question above.