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:
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. It is recommended that affiliates follow the Office of Emergency Management on X (Twitter) @UTAustinOEM and the University Police Department @UTAustinPolice to stay informed during an emergency.
Text Alerts
The university collects cell phone numbers from members of the campus community for emergency text messages. The Longhorn Alert text messaging system is available for current university students, faculty, and staff. Individuals that do not meet these criteria are not eligible for this service. If you are a visitor or guest to campus and want to receive emergency messages, text "UTGUEST" to 888-777 to opt-in an stay informed during an emergency.
University E-mail
During emergencies, Longhorn Alert sends a UT Safety Alert group e-mail to every student, faculty and staff member. The e-mail may direct individuals to the emergency website for additional information and instruction.
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.