As part of our continuous assessment of our emergency notification protocols and procedures, campus officials will test the CU Boulder Alerts system at noon on Monday, Dec. 20. The biannual testing, required by a federal law known as the Clery Act, involves checking the university’s systems for sending text messages, emails, social media posts, computer desktop alerts and website announcements. This testing helps ensure we’re staying up-to-date with best practices and maintaining readiness to respond in case of emergencies.
The below information outlines the types of emergency notifications campus provides, as well as how to stay informed about off-campus incidents.
What are CU Boulder Alerts?
CU Boulder issues emergency notifications to the campus community when there is a confirmed immediate threat to the safety of those on our campus. Such threats may include an active harmer, a natural disaster, severe weather or other time-sensitive life safety concerns. CU Boulder Alerts can also be used in the event of campus closures or delayed starts.
Other notifications
The university also issues timely warnings and emergency notifications in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).
For non-immediate threats or other concerns that may impact the daily lives of our university community, we also regularly distribute proactive educational materials via campus newsletters and social media.
What about off-campus emergencies?
For campus community members who live off campus or hang out off campus frequently, it is natural to want to know what is happening and how to stay safe.
While the university often does attempt to provide updates during evolving emergencies off campus that could affect our community, local emergency response agencies, such as city police or fire departments, which serve that location off-campus, will always be the best source of information. In many cases, CU Boulder will not have rapid access to the most up-to-date information for an off-campus emergency.
The city of Boulder and Boulder County emergency responders distribute emergency alerts via a system called Everbridge. Campus community members who live in the area are strongly encouraged to sign up.
The Boulder Police Department and the Boulder Fire Department also maintain social media channels for non-emergency information.
The university continues to partner with the city to improve communication to residents who are part of the CU community.
Local news media is also a great resource, especially in situations in which rumors are spreading on social media.
How to receive CU Boulder Alerts
Before the Dec. 20 test, students, faculty and staff members should check their accounts to make sure their contact information is up to date.
Students should consult the student alerts step-by-step guide. Faculty, staff and others with university email accounts (@colorado.edu) can consult the employee alerts step-by-step guide.
CU Boulder partners with either @cu.edu, @cufund.org, @cusys.edu or @ucdenver.edu email domains must register and maintain their information on the CU Boulder Rave webpage.
Campus affiliates who are not a student, faculty or staff member and do not have one of the email domains listed above can work with the CU Boulder Alert administrator to ensure registration. Email the IT Service Center or call 303-735-HELP(4357).
If there is a true ongoing campus threat to personal safety, or a campus closure, a campus alert will be sent using one or all of the communication methods available. Text messaging is the preferred method of the system since this mode reaches the most individuals in the least amount of time.
After the scheduled test, if you feel you should have received an alert and didn’t, or if you need help signing up for the system, please email the IT Service Center.
If you have questions regarding emergency management at CU Boulder, visit the CU Boulder Office of Emergency Management website or email the team.
