One of the methods The University of Alabama uses for emergency notification is UA Alerts. This system enhances the University’s ability to reach students, faculty, and staff by simultaneously triggering multiple contact points.
In an emergency, the University will activate the system which may send telephone calls (cell and/or home), email, and text (SMS) messages simultaneously to the campus community. Users can update their personal information using their myBama portal. Each night the system automatically updates the database, capturing any changes made by students/employees that day.
There is no cost to users for the notification service; however, mobile users will pay their wireless provider their normal rates for cell and text message usage. Initially, wireless phone numbers will be placed in the UA Alerts text (SMS) message field so that the mobile device can receive University generated text messages. Users who do not want to receive text (SMS) messages from the University through the UA Alerts service must opt-out of the system.
The text message system uses short code numbers. You may receive texts from any one or more of these shortcodes: 226787, 67283, 78015, 77295, or 81437. Please save these numbers and program them as the University’s text (SMS) messaging account so that you will recognize them as the official source of information. If you are registered to receive TuscAlerts from Tuscaloosa County, be aware that they may use short code numbers similar to UA. You may opt-out of the texting service by sending a text message to 226787, 67283, 78015, or 81437 with the words STOP in the body of the message. Texting STOP to any one of these shortcodes cancels messages from all four.
The system is tested several times during the spring and fall semesters. Each test is announced in advance for planning purposes.
The contact information is deemed private and will be used by the University for official notification or business purposes only. This service is restricted to current University of Alabama employees and students. To qualify, students must be registered for at least 1 semester hour of course work in Tuscaloosa. Each semester the database will automatically update, dropping and adding students based on their enrollment status. Similarly, employees will be added or dropped from the system as their employment status changes.
UA Alerts may also be received from the UA Safety mobile app and @UA_Safety on Twitter.
UA Alerts FAQ (pdf)