University IT

How do I provide other contact information or change my notification preferences?

You can add, change, or delete your contact information by logging in to the AlertUR system with your username and password. You are encouraged to review and update your information regularly.

How are the alerts delivered?

Alerts are delivered via the contact methods you provide. By default, you will receive alerts at your University email address. If you opted to provide additional contact information, you may receive alerts via text message, voice message, or email to another email address.

Text messages will be delivered more quickly than voice messages. If you opt to receive voice or text messages, you may incur additional charges.

How will the University decide when to send an alert?

University Security, in immediate consultation with senior leadership of the University, will review information and decide quickly if a situation is a serious threat. AlertUR will be activated when it is clear there is imminent danger that should be communicated quickly.

Critical situations include:

• in-progress police emergencies, such as an active shooter and at-large criminal suspect who is thought to be on University property and an imminent danger to the community
• civil disturbances
• acts of terrorism
• fires that impact operations
• release of hazardous materials and medical emergencies that pose a severe threat to personal safety and/or cause a major disruption to University operations
• warnings about natural disasters
• health emergencies
• other dangerous occurrences connected to the University

The University also will test the system semi-annually. There will be no routine announcements or commercial messages sent through the system.

Is there a charge? Who pays for phone calls and text messages?

The University does not charge for the service. Non-cellular email, alpha paging, and landline telephone alerts will be at no charge to the recipient. Depending on the wireless carrier, there may be a nominal fee for those who receive SMS text messages. People with unlimited text messaging plans should get no additional charge.

What telephone number will be displayed to identify AlertUR as the caller?

Incoming phone calls from AlertUR will display the number for the University’s information line: (585) 275-6111.

How long will it take to receive emergency notifications?

Delivery depends on many different factors, including cellular carriers’ text message volumes, email volumes, and voice phone trunk capabilities. Historically, SMS/text messaging is the fastest delivery method, followed by email and then voice messages. Be aware that one or more delivery methods may not be reliable during emergency situations. To help ensure that you receive messages in an expeditious manner, please provide at least two different communication methods.

Can all devices/numbers receive alerts?

AlertUR can interface with most communication devices, including TTY devices.

Devices/Numbers that will not receive alerts:

• Numeric-only pagers (You will receive an error message.)
• International phone numbers (AlertUR will not accept them.)
• Google Voice numbers. (Google blocks any commercial short codes, which are what AlertUR uses to send SMS messages.)

What happens to the personal information I add to AlertUR?

Personal information will only be used for critical communications with the University community and will only be shared with other systems and processes as deemed necessary for successful communications.  Information will not be shared with anyone outside the University.

Can parents or family members sign up for AlertUR?

The system is targeted to students, faculty, and staff. The University regularly sends out e-newsletters to parents, alumni, and friends of the University. We can use those e-communications to update families and friends on critical situations. They and other members of the University community also can go to the University’s emergency webpage.

Why is my Student Primary Number incorrect?

If your Student Primary Number is incorrect, you must contact your school’s Registrar’s Office to have it changed. AlertUR receives the phone number from your school’s Registrar’s Office, and it is classified as your local contact phone number.

What are the checkboxes next to the Student Primary Number?

The check boxes enable voice or SMS/text messages to be sent to the Student’s Primary Number. If a student unchecks a box, either the voice or SMS/text notifications will not be sent to the number. Simply recheck the box to allow notifications to be delivered.

Why do I receive multiple calls or text messages to the same device?

AlertUR will deliver voice or text messages to any device you add in the AlertUR system. Check your contact methods, and if there are multiple voice or text message entries to the same phone number, you will receive multiple messages. To alleviate this, only have one phone number associated with each type of delivery method (voice, SMS/text).

What happens after a student or employee is no longer affiliated with the University?

Within a month or two, the person’s name will be removed automatically from the AlertUR system.

In what other ways does the University notify students, faculty, and staff of campus emergencies?

Beyond the system of rapid text messaging and voice alerts, the University uses (585) 275-6111 (its telephone information line), department and University telephone trees, blast and targeted email messages, pager and public address systems, voicemails, direct contact by runners and couriers, various web notices and security alerts, and other means to reach the University community.

Where can questions or comments about AlertUR be sent?

If you have suggestions or recommendations that you would like to share, please contact University Communications at:

• offcomm@rochester.edu
• Phone: (585) 275-4118
• Fax: (585) 275-0359
• 147 Wallis Hall
  University of Rochester
  Rochester, NY 14627-0033