What is Brief Notifications?
Brief Notifications is a new way to help to improve the timeliness, visibility and engagement with important internal messages and news across the University of Minnesota through pop-up desktop notifications.
The tool delivers essential, time-sensitive updates directly to faculty and staff desktops.
- Mac users can find Brief Notifications by clicking the SnapComms icon in the top right corner of their screen.
- PC users can find Brief Notifications by clicking the SnapComms icon in the bottom right corner of their screen.
What is Brief Notifications used for?
Important information can sometimes be missed in busy email inboxes. Brief Notifications helps ensure faculty and staff stay informed about University news and are meant to encourage engagement, not disruption.
These notifications are short pop-up messages that deliver time-sensitive information that requires prompt action or awareness. Examples include:
- Essential messages from University senior leaders
- Important University news
- Impacts to campus operations or building access
- System or technology outages
How does it work?
Notifications appear directly on your University-owned computer in several formats:
- Desktop alerts appear briefly over open windows with a short message and link for more information.
- Desktop tickers display scrolling text along the bottom of the screen.
- Fullscreen takeovers are used only in emergencies, such as an active threat or major safety event.
- Screen savers or desktop wallpaper.
Notifications are intended to be brief, easy to dismiss and minimally disruptive. They will not interrupt active presentations if you are using presentation mode in PowerPoint or Google Slides or sharing your screen in Zoom or Google Meet.
Brief Notifications works whether you are on or off campus, provide you are connected to the internet.
Emergency alerts will display over the top of screensavers and applications in full-screen mode. Alerts will display even when “snooze” is activated by the end user; alert recurrence cycles will be preserved, but all alert notifications appear directly on the screen as configured.
Who will receive Brief Notifications?
Notifications are intended for all University faculty and staff. If you believe your computer should be exempt from this software, please complete this form.
Examples of acceptable exemptions include shared computers in a lab or lounge. University Marketing Communications will review and make final determinations on all exemption requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall Brief Notifications?
No. Brief Notifications is a University-supported tool that helps ensure timely delivery of essential information.
Can I snooze or pause notifications?
Most message types can be snoozed for two hours by clicking the bell icon in the app.
Emergency alerts cannot be muted.
Will I receive Brief Notifications when I am not on campus?
Yes. Brief Notifications works on any University computer with an internet connection.
Will Brief Notifications interrupt a presentation I’m giving?
Notifications will not interrupt active presentations if you are using presentation mode in PowerPoint or Google Slides or sharing your screen in Zoom or Google Meet.
How do I request a message to be sent?
The University Marketing Communications Internal Communications team can help determine if Brief Notifications is the right tool to send your message. Please email [email protected] to discuss your request or if you have any questions.