The WVU Alert system is a notification system that helps inform the University community about emergencies and incidents on or near campus. Emails and text messages are utilized to disseminate important information quickly and efficiently.
WVU’s three-tiered notification system – WVU Alert, Campus Warning and Community Notice – allows the University to communicate as effectively as possible with students, faculty, staff, parents and other community members with guidance provided by the Clery Act.
The University also uses a WVU Clery Geography map to guide decision making when sending notifications. To ensure the following of Clery Act requirements, the map outlines areas in which certain incidents must be reported to our campus community via the Campus Warning tier. Campus property is included in this map as well as some adjacent off-campus property.
The three tiers will help our community differ between incidents with varying levels of urgency. The WVU Alert tier will continue to deliver the most urgent messages affecting our campus while the Campus Warning tier will notify our community of less pressing incidents but ones that may pose a threat. Community Notices will be posted for incidents that don’t pose immediate danger or share information about ongoing topics of concern.
Those currently registered with the WVU Alert system will continue to receive alerts about incidents like normal. In fact, they may begin to see an increase in communications from the system and in E-News, in Unews and on social media as we continue to strive to communicate about happenings that may pose danger to our students and employees.
Overview of WVU Alert System Changes
WVU Alert Registration
West Virginia University strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff to register both their email address and cell phone number with the WVU Alert system. Notifications are sent at the discretion of WVU Police and University leadership and are only sent when our community is believed to be in danger.
Current students are automatically subscribed to receive WVU Alert emails, and they will receive text messages if they have provided a cell phone number to the University. Students should log into their account to add their phone number and to periodically verify that all contact information is correct.
Students may also add their parents’ cell phone numbers and/or email addresses to their account to receive alerts. Only students can add this information to their account.
Faculty and staff are not automatically subscribed to receive WVU Alert emails or text messages. They should visit the log-in page to sign up and add their contact information to the system. Faculty and staff accounts must be validated by following the steps provided. Employees should also periodically log in to confirm that their contact information is correct.
The Three Tiers
These three tiers will help our community differ between incidents with varying levels of urgency:
WVU Clery Geography Map
The University utilizes a Clery-reportable map to guide decision making when sending notifications. To ensure the following of Clery Act requirements, the WVU Clery Geography map outlines areas in which certain incidents must be reported to our campus community via the Campus Warning tier. Campus property is included in this map as well as some adjacent off-campus property.
Announcements
View Announcements to find updates on the WVU Alert system and campus safety.
Crisis Communications Plan
During a crisis at West Virginia University, a crisis communications team maintains the responsibility of communicating important information both internally and externally. The Crisis Communications Plan seeks to provide guidance to those individuals when fulfilling that responsibility.