Stay Aware with AlertVU

AlertVU serves as Vanderbilt University’s mass emergency notification system, designed to promptly alert students, faculty, and staff members in the event of an imminent threat or danger to the Vanderbilt community.

Section Contents

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.

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

  1. Stay Enrolled: Ensure your contact information is up-to-date.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Instructions to update your AlertVU contact information

AlertVU FAQ

  • What is AlertVU?

    AlertVU serves as Vanderbilt University's mass emergency notification system, strategically designed to promptly alert Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff members in the event of an imminent or ongoing threat to the Vanderbilt community's safety. But AlertVU isn’t our only means of notification—in addition to AlertVU, during emergencies, various communication channels are utilized, including the university homepage, the AlertVU emergency website, alertvu.vanderbilt.edu, campus security email notices, electronic message boards, sirens, and various social media platforms. AlertVU notifications even extend to Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees, ensuring comprehensive coverage and dissemination of critical information.

  • How does AlertVU notify the Vanderbilt Community?

    AlertVU efficiently dispatches messages to the designated delivery points within its database. Student-provided cell phone numbers are automatically enrolled in the AlertVU database, ensuring swift notification. Moreover, all Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff are automatically enrolled using their Vanderbilt email addresses. To enhance accessibility, students, faculty and staff can further register additional contact points, including cell or home phone numbers, text messaging, or personal email accounts, ensuring receipt of AlertVU messages even when away from their Vanderbilt email accounts.

  • Can my computer workstation receive AlertVU messages?

    As part of the enhanced AlertVU initiative, your local desktop management team may have already deployed an application called Alertus on your office PC to deliver AlertVU desktop alerts. This application ensures that you receive full-screen notifications whenever AlertVU is activated, allowing for swift response to emergency situations. Rest assured, Alertus operates seamlessly in the background without affecting your computer's performance. Upon activation of AlertVU, you will be prompted to acknowledge the notification before resuming normal activities. If you're unsure whether Alertus is installed on your workstation or need assistance, please contact your IT local support provider for guidance.  

  • How do I sign up and edit my contact information for AlertVU?

    For students, all cell phone numbers and Vanderbilt email addresses are automatically enrolled in the AlertVU system. To update their emergency contact information, students can access the YES system and follow the step-by-step directions available on the AlertVU website.

    For faculty and staff, all Vanderbilt email addresses are automatically enrolled in AlertVU. To edit or add contact information, faculty and staff members can utilize the Oracle system for Vanderbilt University or the Workday system for Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).

  • Can I add a parent, spouse, or partner to receive AlertVU messages?

    Yes, through the AlertVU Community Portal, community members and guests can sign up and manage contact methods to receive the same AlertVU messages as our students, faculty, and staff. More information can be found on the Community Portal Overview page.

  • Can I remove myself from AlertVU?

    You have the option to remove any phone or SMS text number to stop receiving AlertVU messages. However, please note that all student, faculty, and staff members' Vanderbilt email addresses are automatically enrolled in the AlertVU system and cannot be removed.

  • What happens if I don't receive an AlertVU message?

    If you haven't received an AlertVU message, first, access your user account to verify that your contact numbers are correct and up to date. Additionally, we encourage users to register as many devices as possible (phone, email, SMS text) to ensure you receive emergency communication in case of an emergency. Lastly, please note that each user is limited by their cell carrier network and operational capabilities.

  • I also receive Campus Security Notices. What's the difference between those and AlertVU?

    The university issues two types of notifications related to incidents on campus. AlertVU is issued when there is an immediate threat to campus, such as a tornado on a path toward campus or an active shooter situation. On the other hand, Security Notices are issued regarding incidents that do not present an immediate threat but are intended to inform our community members so they can make informed safety decisions.

    Please note that Medical Center employees may not receive Security Notices. The Medical Center Emergency Operations team disseminates Security Notices to the Medical Center community on an as-needed basis.

  • Where can I find additional information after I receive an AlertVU message?

    In addition to AlertVU messages, you can find additional information on the university homepage, alertvu.vanderbilt.edu, and other campus websites and social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter. These platforms are integral parts of the university’s overall emergency communications strategy and will provide updates and further guidance during emergencies.

  • Who do I contact if I still have questions?

    Please contact our AlertVU team at alertvu@vanderbilt.edu.