UTSW-Alert FAQs
What is UTSW-Alert?
How does UTSW-Alert notify me of any campus emergencies?
Who is eligible for UTSW Alert?
Is there a fee for the UTSW-Alert system?
I am a visitor or contractor, why can't I enroll for the UTSW-Alert system?
If I receive an email from UTSW-Alert, how will I know the message is valid?
Is my personal information safe on the UTSW-Alert system?
How do I update my e-mail address or contact phone number(s)?
My friend received a text message alert, but I did not. Why?
I am a parent or concerned individual who has family or friends at UTSW. How can I register and receive alerts?
I heard there was an incident on campus; however, I did not receive an alert. Why?
How long will it take for emergency notifications to reach me?
I received the UTSW-Alert phone message on a business phone I share with others. What should I do?
What is UTSW-Alert?
UTSW-Alert is a system developed by UT Southwestern to communicate official information during an emergency or critical situation that disrupts normal operation of the UT Southwestern campus or threatens the health and safety of members of the campus community. All currently registered students, staff, and faculty of UTSW will receive alerts via email, Short Message Service (SMS) Text, personal cellular phone, and work/home telephone.
Except for regular testing of the system, UTSW-Alert will only be used to send timely public warnings of imminent danger or critical announcements. Registered users will not receive advertising or non-emergency text messages.
UTSW-Alert is a service that runs 24 hours a day - seven days a week - 365 days a year.
How does UTSW-Alert notify me of any campus emergencies?
UTSW-Alert delivers messages similar to a “reverse 911” system. The system will utilize current contact information to send messages via a “best effort” basis to all the user’s contact pathways.
Who is eligible for UTSW-Alert?
All currently enrolled students and registered staff & faculty are eligible. All campus community members will be automatically enrolled in UTSW-Alert to receive email alerts, Short Message Service (SMS) text messages, work and home phone messages.
Is there a fee for the UTSW-Alert system?
The UTSW-Alert service is free. However, depending upon your service plan, you may incur text messaging or cellular phone fees from your wireless service provider. You are responsible for any applicable text messaging or cellular phone fees for any UTSW-Alert emergency notifications received, in addition to up to four (4) UTSW-Alert test messages that may be sent annually. (We will only use this system in emergencies or to convey critical situational updates.)
I am a visitor or contractor, why can't I enroll for the UTSW-Alert system?
The program is currently available only to registered students, staff, and faculty of UT Southwestern, as this will significantly enhance Administration's ability to communicate directly with our community (who can be anywhere at any time). This group was deemed the most immediate priority.
Communications with our visitors and contractors is important and we will continue to alert them as needed through existing resources, including:
If I receive an email from UTSW-Alert, how will I know the message is valid?
The UTSW-Alert system uses a service to process text messages, emails & phone calls.
- The “Caller ID” for a phone call/message from this system will be- 214-648-8879
- The email “Sender Address” generated by this service will be: campusemergency@utsouthwestern.edu
Please be assured that these messages are legitimate official communications from UTSW. We are working with campus email systems to ensure UTSW-Alert messages are not recognized as spam. Note that one of the main reasons that this service is being used by UT Southwestern is to ensure the most reliable communications possible in the event of an emergency or critical campus situation.
Is my personal information safe on the UTSW-Alert system?
Personal home and cell phone numbers utilized by the UTSW-Alert service will be used exclusively for official University business. For this purpose, UT Southwestern may share this information with the UTSW-Alert notification system through database transfer.
UTSW will maintain the confidentiality of such records to the extent permitted by law. For more details regarding student privacy concerns, please see the UT Southwestern Information Security Policy section of the UT Southwestern Web site.
How do I update my e-mail address or contact phone number(s)?
UTSW-Alert uses the contact information stored in the Human Resources Database (HRMS) and Students databases. Current employees should use the HRMS database which can be accessed through the iAIM Website . Students should utilize the Student Website Portal (September, 2008).
All community members should update their information each time it changes, or atleast annually.
My friend received a text message alert, but I did not. Why?
Please verify that your personal cellular phone number is correct in the HRMS system. Also verify that your wireless provider and account allows receipt of SMS Text Messaging. If you have further questions or issues, please send an email to UTSWAlert@utsouthwestern.edu with your name and person number so that we can investigate your issue. You should have an answer within two (2) business days.
I am a parent or concerned individual who has family or friends at UTSW. How can I register and receive alerts?
At this time, the program is available only to registered campus community members (i.e. faculty, staff, & students). Other interested individuals may utilize the alternate communication methods (UT Southwestern Emergency Status Page or 214-648-UTSW) to seek out current information.
I heard there was an incident on campus; however, I did not receive an alert. Why?
Messages can be targeted to specific areas within the campus that may be impacted by the event. If an incident poses no imminent danger or require a critical announcement for the entire campus community, a campus-wide alert will not be sent.
How long will it take for emergency notifications to reach me?
Once it is determined that there is imminent danger or a critical announcement necessary to the campus community, an alert will be sent via UTSW-Alert. It is expected that both email, text message and phone alerts will be sent on a "best effort" basis within 15 minutes, however delays may occur depending on the network conditions, as well if users have external email addresses (personal or other business email accounts other than xxx@utsouthwestern.edu.) Text messaging delays may also occur due to individual wireless phone carrier capacities.
I received the UTSW-Alert phone message on a business phone I share with others. What should I do?
Because many staff, faculty and students sometimes share a common phone, you may answer the phone a receive message from UTSW-Alert that needs to be shared with others in the shared workspace. The recipient should acknowledge receipt of the call- as requested by the system- and then should immediately inform all present staff, visitors or patients within the work area about the situation and any instructions that were provided.
Questions? Contact the Office of Business Continuity at:
214-648-0723 or campusemergency@utsouthwestern.edu
