How to Set Up AlertVU
- For students, all cell phone numbers and Vanderbilt email addresses are automatically enrolled in the AlertVU system. Students should review their contact information regularly to assure they continue to receive messages at their desired personal points of contact. Visit the YES portal to view and update your AlertVU contact information using the instructions available below.
- For faculty and staff, all Vanderbilt email addresses are automatically enrolled in AlertVU. All faculty and staff must review their contact information regularly to assure they continue to receive messages at their desired personal points of contact. Faculty and staff members from Vanderbilt University should utilize the Oracle system and those from Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) should utilize the Workday system to edit or add contact information using the instructions available below.
- Downloading Alertus:
- All Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff are automatically enrolled in AlertVU using their Vanderbilt email address and their Vanderbilt phone number (if they have one).
- Campus Machines: Desktop support staff have already installed the application called Alertus to deliver AlertVU desktop alerts on PCs across the university and medical center
- Activation and Usage:
- Once you’ve installed the app, please make sure to follow the instructions and fill in all required information
- Remember that you must be connected to the Vanderbilt network for the software to function, so whenever possible, please remain connected to the university WiFi
- Alertus operates discreetly in the background on campus machines and won’t slow down your computer
- In an emergency, AlertVU will activate, prompting a full-screen notification
- Whenever it comes up, please acknowledge the alert and follow provided instructions for safety
- Contacting Support:
- If unsure about Alertus installation or encountering issues, please contact the AlertVU team for assistance at alertvu@vanderbilt.edu
Alert Types
The primary types of notifications are:
- Emergency Alerts
- Security Notices
- Operational
Request emergency or non-emergency assistance through the Vanderbilt public safety application, VandySafe.
Emergency Alerts
AlertVU rapidly sends messages to the delivery points the user has chosen - cell phone (voice or text), landline, and Vanderbilt email account - in the event of an emergency that poses an imminent threat or danger to the Vanderbilt community. Examples of such a threat include a tornado forecast to strike Vanderbilt or an active shooter on campus.
Security Notice
Security Notices are issued by VUPD in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (The Clery Act).
The Clery Act requires that a timely warning (Security Notice) be issued when one of the below incidents occurs on or near Vanderbilt facilities or property and there is reason to believe that there is a continued threat to the safety and security of students and/or employees:
- Murder
- Sex Offense
- Robbery
- Aggravated Assault
- Burglary
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Manslaughter
- Arson
- Stalking, domestic violence, or dating violence
- When repeated offenses warrant public notice such as multiple unsolved thefts with the same possible suspect(s) or established patterns.
Security Notices are typically distributed via Vanderbilt email. A Security Notice will be issued as soon as the pertinent information is available about the incident. Security Notices will not contain information that may hinder an ongoing police investigation and will not identify the victim by name or address. A general location designation, such as “residence hall” or “fraternity,” may be given instead of a specific location to ensure the privacy of the victim.
Operational
The University sends notifications when circumstances exist that do not represent an immediate threat to health or safety, yet action may enable people to protect themselves and/or their property. These situations include adverse weather events, such as ice or flooding, major campus utility outages, or other situations that would require a change in the University’s operations.
University members may be contacted through various methods, including:
- Campus-wide email
- SMS text
- University webpages
- University social media accounts
- VandySafe push notifications
-
Emergency Notification
Email --- Text --- AlertVU Webpage --- VandySafe --- Social Media --- University Homepage
-
Security Notice
Email
-
Operational
Email --- Text --- VandySafe --- Social Media --- University Homepage
How to Maximize the Effectiveness of AlertVU
- Stay Enrolled: Ensure your contact information is up-to-date.
- Optimize Alert Delivery: Register as many devices as possible (phone, email, SMS text) to maximize your chances of receiving emergency communication. This ensures you’ll be alerted even if one communication channel is unavailable. If you have downloaded VandySafe, enabling push notifications will allow VandySafe to send AlertVU messages through notifications.
- Stay Informed: Familiarize yourself with the AlertVU system and how it operates. Understand that AlertVU messages are designed to alert you to imminent and serious threats or dangers to the Vanderbilt community, and they may prompt actions or provide safety instructions.
- Acknowledge Desktop Alerts: When an AlertVU message is activated and the desktop alert appears on your screen, promptly acknowledge the notification, and follow any instructions provided. Desktop alerts require acknowledgment (or will have to timeout) before you can resume normal activities.
- Review and Update: Regularly review and update your contact information to ensure you receive critical alerts promptly.
For more guidance in case of an emergency
Your physical safety is your first priority. Only take time to review resources when you feel you are in a safe place.
- Download our Emergency Preparedness Quick Reference Flyer here
- Access the Emergency Preparedness Training Resource Deck here
- Review the Run, Hide, Fight quick reference page here
- Download the VandySafe app here
- If you still have unanswered questions, please contact our Public Safety team at publicsafetyinfo@vanderbilt.edu or chat to them live through the VandySafe app