Emergencies may range from inclement weather, to building evacuations, to campus closures, and the university has a variety of tools to communicate with the public in the event of these and other possible emergencies. Depending on the type of emergency, we may use some or all of the following tools to communicate with faculty, staff and students:
Siren System
This system is tested around noon on the first Wednesday of every month, and delivers a siren warning and public address in the event of certain outdoor emergencies. Read more about the siren system.
Emergency Web Site
You may want to bookmark the Emergency Website because it is updated with information during actual emergencies or campus closures.
Local Press and Social Media
University Communications staff send emergency information to the press and update social media with public safety messages. Because of the transient nature of our population, the university depends a great deal on the press and social media to keep students, faculty, and staff informed during campus emergencies.
Text Alerts
The university collects cell phone numbers from members of the campus community for emergency text messages. Sign up for campus text alerts online.
The university’s emergency text messaging system is available for the use of current university students, faculty, and staff. Individuals that do not meet these criteria are not eligible for this service. It is recommended that affiliates follow the University of Texas at Austin on Twitter @UTAustin or the University Police Department @UTAustinPolice to stay informed during an emergency.
University Group E-mail
During emergencies, UT Safety Alert sends an “urgent” group e-mail to every student, faculty and staff member. The e-mail directs individuals to the emergency Web site for additional information and instruction.
Cable TV
Residence halls and several of our public gathering places have cable televisions where emergency announcements get posted.
Public Safety Patrol Car Announcements
UTPD patrol cars are equipped with PA systems, which officers can use to provide instructions to pedestrians during emergencies.
University Emergency Information Line — 512-232-9999
Students, faculty, and staff can call this main number for information about campus closures.
The implementation of each tool described above is assigned to an individual who has at least two backups who can also carry out the communications task. Individuals with electronic communication tools assigned to them have remote access (from their homes, etc.) to those tools.
The Office of Emergency Management and UTPD are typically the ones who deliver emergency information to university administration. Upon considering this information, administration develops the messages and activates campus-wide communications. The only exception to this process is the outdoor siren system, which is activated directly by UTPD in extremely urgent situations where immediate action is required.