Todd Short, director of emergency planning for the University, sent a mass e-mail to students, faculty and staff addressing updates about the school’s emergency text notification system.

Short said the University switched providers for the emergency text system during the holiday break. Short cited “better service” as the reason for change.

Improved features listed in the e-mail include testing the system yourself, easier registration with the provider and the ability to include two additional contacts.

“It sends messages as ‘true text’ speed, greatly reducing delivery times compared to the previous system,” Short wrote in the e-mail.

The e-mail also said the provider is not hosted on campus, so it would not be in danger if an emergency occurred.

The first test of the new system is reported to be on Feb. 17 at approximately 10:00 a.m.

To register, go to emergency.illinois.edu and follow the directions.