As part of the continuous assessment of our emergency notification protocols and procedures, campus officials will test the CU Boulder alerts system at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
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 Emergency Alerts?
CU Boulder issues emergency notifications, called CU Emergency Alerts, to the campus community when there is a confirmed immediate threat to the safety of those on our campus or near campus in areas of high student populations. Such threats may include an active harmer, a natural disaster, severe weather or other time-sensitive life safety concerns. CU Emergency Alerts can also be used in the event of campus closures or delayed starts.
Other notifications: CU Safety Alerts and CU Advisories
As a reminder, the university has three levels of emergency notification.
Along with CU Emergency Alerts, campus also issues CU Safety Alerts in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).
For non-immediate threats or other incidents that may impact the daily lives of our university community, CU Boulder has a tier of notifications called CU Advisories.
What about off-campus emergencies?
For campus community members who live off-campus or who are off-campus frequently, it is natural to want to know what is happening nearby, and how to stay safe. This Q&A with CUPD Chief Doreen Jokerst explains how the university responds to off-campus incidents and has valuable information on how to stay informed of emergency notifications.
The city of Boulder and Boulder County emergency responders distribute emergency alerts via a system called Everbridge. Campus community members with Boulder addresses who live in the area or others who want to be aware of emergency notifications in Boulder County have been opted in to the Everbridge system. Others are strongly encouraged to sign up.
The Boulder Police Department and the Boulder Fire Department also maintain social media channels for non-emergency information. 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. 5 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 employees can now opt to receive alerts in languages other than English. This service is also available to students.
CU Boulder partners who have 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 students, faculty or staff members and do not have one of the email domains listed above can work with the CU Boulder alerts 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 campuswide 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 that you should have received an alert and didn’t, or if you need help signing up for the system, please email emergency.management@colorado.edu.
If you have questions regarding emergency management at CU Boulder, visit the CU Boulder Office of Emergency Management website or email the team.
