The first monthly test of Northwestern University's new outdoor alert system on the Evanston campus will be held Tuesday, April 1.

The test will begin at 10 a.m. Tests will be held at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. That is the same time that municipal outdoor warning systems in Illinois are tested.

The emergency alert system consists of roof-mounted speakers at four locations: Allison Hall, Donald P. Jacobs Center, Technological Institute and Harold Anderson Hall at the athletic complex.

The alert system can make the traditional siren sound used by municipalities to warn of severe weather, as well as other sounds. It also can produce voice messages.

The outdoor system is designed to enable the University to communicate in emergencies with those people who may be outdoors on campus or near the campus. It is expected that messages broadcast via this method will not be audible inside most campus buildings.

The new alert system is part of Northwestern's efforts to improve emergency communications. The University now has an emergency notification system that allows the University to quickly telephone, e-mail and send a text message via cell phone to students, faculty and staff.

The initial test of system was conducted successfully Thursday (March 27).