Loud sounds Friday: Goshen College to evaluate a campus warning system

GOSHEN, Ind. – Sirens and loud voices will ring out across Goshen College and into some nearby neighborhoods on Friday, March 7, but it won’t be an emergency. As part of a study of improved emergency communication, the college will be evaluating a campus warning system. 

The test is scheduled to take place between 1 and 2 p.m. on Friday. The siren and voice announcements will originate from a portable system located in the center of campus at the heating plant.

The system under consideration is a high-powered siren/public address system capable of sending out an effective 80-decibel sound level at a radius of 1,200 feet and up to 70 decibels at 2,400 feet. According to the decibel scale — when sound is measured in close proximity — a normal conversation is 60 decibels, a lawnmower is 90 decibels and a rock concert is 110 decibels.

If the system is implemented, it will be incorporated into the existing City of Goshen emergency notification alarm, which will provide improved coverage for tornado warnings on campus as well as surrounding neighborhoods.

“Goshen College is taking a look at this campus notification system in an effort to consider additional options to our existing plan as we look to the future,” said Bill Born, vice president for student life and dean of students. “Our ongoing commitment is to provide effective campus communication systems and safety to all members of our campus community. We believe this system may be a good option to consider, so we will be evaluating its effectiveness.”

Nearby businesses and institutions already have been notified about Friday’s evaluation and flyers have been distributed to neighbors. The college also is coordinating the test with the City of Goshen, including the fire and police departments and the 911 emergency center.

The siren and voice announcements Friday may be able to be heard as far south as Carter Road, north to Parkside Elementary School, east to the Millrace and west to 15^th Street.

As part of the evaluation process, the college is inviting feedback from people on and off campus who hear the siren and announcements. Specifically, the college would appreciate knowing what was heard and the location of the listener. Comments can be relayed after the test to a special e-mail address: sirenfeedback@goshen.edu. Those with questions or concerns can call (574) 535-7543.

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.