Rave notification option is the latest addition to the CSUMB's emergency notification system. When the university issues an emergency alert (OTTERalert), all computer workstations and laptops running the Rave Notifier software (formerly we used Alertus) will display a full-screen pop-up alert providing messaging about the emergency on campus and what actions to take. The pop-up alert option is being added in addition to the notifications those on campus already receive and are not meant to replace them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Rave Notifier mandatory for all CSUMB computers?
Yes. Rave Notifer desktop will be installed on all Windows and MacOS university, end-user, and classroom computers in May of 2024.
Q. How does Rave Notifier work?
When the university issues an emergency alert, the service will issue a “pop-up” OTTERalert message on your computer.
Q. What sort of messages will come in the form of a “pop-up”?
Only situations that rise to the level of an OTTERalert will use the pop-up method of communication. For more information on OTTERalert, see: https://csumb.edu/otteralerts/
Q. What will the pop-up look like?
The Rave Notifier pop-up will always specify it is a CSUMB OTTERalert and take up the majority of the screen. See image below as an example.
Q. Will I get the “pop-up” on my CSUMB computer if I am off-campus, and not on the CSUMB's wired or wireless network?
Yes. OTTERalert “pop-up” messages will be delivered to a CSUMB computer while it is connected to the internet on or off-campus.
Q. Will I get the “pop-up” on my CSUMB computer if I'm not logged into my computer or my computer is in sleep mode?
No. To receive OTTERalert “pop-up” messages, you must be logged in and not be in sleep mode.
Q. What will Rave Notifier look like on my university computer?
Windows:
On Windows computers, the Rave Notifer icon will be displayed in the system tray on the bottom of the screen near the clock.
On the Windows computer, you can right-click on the R icon and you will get a pop up menu allowing you to view the Alert History, About and Quit.
If you click on About you will see the Rave Notifer screen:
Apple
On MacOS computers, the Rave Notifer icon will be displayed in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
If you click on it, it will give you a drop down menu allowing you to view the Alert History, About and Quit.
If you click on About you will see the Rave Notifer screen:
Q. What should an instructor do if a OTTERalert comes up on the screen during class?
When the computer user receives an actual emergency alert (OTTERalert) on Rave Notifier, the user should follow the action steps that are provided in the message related to the emergency. These could include “seek shelter,” “evacuate,” “avoid the area,” etc.