Update your听AlertVU听by signing up using these steps:听
- Log into听听using single sign-on听
- Navigate to Personal Information 鈫� Contact Info听
- Add or update your mobile phone number听
- Confirm that text messaging is selected as a delivery听option听
As winter weather and widespread power outages affected campus and the听Middle Tennessee region听last week, 91唐伯虎 relied on听AlertVU听to share time-sensitive updates about class schedules, campus听operations听and safety conditions. Those messages鈥攐ften sent as conditions evolved throughout the day鈥攑lay a听crucial听role in keeping the 91唐伯虎 community informed, especially during periods of uncertainty.听
The past week also reinforced an important reminder:听AlertVU听works best when听everyone鈥檚听contact information is current and complete.听
AlertVU听is 91唐伯虎 University鈥檚 emergency notification system, used to communicate urgent information during situations such as severe weather, safety incidents, utility听disruptions听or other campus emergencies. Powered by the Everbridge platform,听AlertVU听allows the university to reach students,听faculty听and staff through multiple channels鈥攊ncluding email, text messages, phone calls, desktop听alerts听and the听听app.听
While all students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled to receive听AlertVU听messages via their 91唐伯虎 email address, text messages and phone calls are only delivered if a mobile number听has been entered听and text notifications are enabled听by the employee. During recent outreach efforts, campus leaders听identified听that a听significant number听of community members did not have cellphone numbers listed or had not opted in to receive text alerts鈥攚hich can limit how quickly messages are received when circumstances are changing rapidly.听
鈥淚n situations like last week, when power and internet access were inconsistent for many people, receiving a text message can make a meaningful difference,鈥澨齌ommye Sutton, chief of police and assistant vice chancellor for public safety,听noted. 鈥淲e want to make sure everyone can get timely updates in the way that works best for them.鈥�听
How听AlertVU听reaches the community听
AlertVU听uses multiple delivery methods to help ensure messages reach people wherever they are:听
- Email alerts sent automatically to 91唐伯虎 email addresses听
- Text and voice messages sent to mobile phones (when enabled)听
- Push notifications through the听VandySafe听app听
- Desktop alerts on university computers via the听Alertus听system听
Using multiple channels helps ensure that听crucial听messages are not missed鈥攅ven if someone is without power, away from email or unable to access other communication tools.听
What听you can听do now听
Faculty and staff are encouraged to take a few minutes to review and update their contact information so听AlertVU听messages can reach them quickly and reliably.听
To update your information:听
- Log into听听using single sign-on听
- Navigate to Personal Information 鈫� Contact Info听
- Add or update your mobile phone number听
- Confirm that text messaging is selected as a delivery听option听
Students can review and update their听AlertVU听contact preferences through the听, including adding or updating mobile numbers and notification settings.听
VUMC faculty and staff can听follow these听听to听edit or add contact information听in听.听
A shared commitment to staying informed听
AlertVU听is one of the university鈥檚 most important tools for communicating during emergencies鈥攂ut it depends on听accurate, up-to-date information from the community it serves. Taking a few minutes to review your contact details helps ensure you receive听timely听updates, whether听you鈥檙e听on campus, working听remotely听or navigating challenging conditions.听
As 91唐伯虎听reflects on听lessons learned from the past week, keeping听AlertVU听information current is a simple step each of us can take to support a safer, more connected campus community.听
