Emergency Notification Systems
In the event of an emergency incident or disaster situation, information will be gathered and disseminated as quickly as possible.
Alerts are sent via phone, text, email, voicemail, the Northwestern website, outdoor siren system, RAVE mobile alerts or external media depending on the emergency. Make sure your contact information is updated to receive alerts and review how to receive emergency notifications. To better prepare, review what to do when you receive an emergency notification.
Visit the NU Alerts Archive to see past alerts.
Phone
In times of an emergency on campus, a recorded message may be sent to each of the numbers that faculty, students, and staff have designated to be used for emergency notification. Northwestern University requires students to confirm or update this information at least once every year.
Text
Provided the cell phone has text messaging capabilities, a text message providing emergency information may be sent to all registered cell phone numbers.
Security alerts or emergency information can be sent to any or all members of either the Evanston or Chicago Campuses. There are two types of email notifications: AlertNU emails instruction you to take immediate action and Clery Act Crime Notice emails instructing you to take precautionary measure. For more information about Crime Notices and the Clery Act, visit the Campus Security page on the Risk Management website.
From: AlertNU messages come from the following numbers and addresses.
- Telephone: 847-491-1100
- Text (SMS): 67283, 226787, 78015, 81437, 77295
- Email display name: AlertNU
- Email address: AlertNU@northwestern.edu
To easily recognize calls and text messages as emergency alerts, we recommend adding these numbers to your phone contact list and naming the entries "AlertNU."
For: An immediate or imminent life safety threat believed to be occurring on or near campus.
What to do: Immediate action is required. Follow instructions in AlertNU communications.
Example: Active aggressor reported on or near campus.
From: Emails will come from CrimeNotice@northwestern.edu
For: Incidents of crime considered to be serious or continuing threats to safety, as required by the Clery Act.
What to do: Review the notice in its entirety, including any listed practices that will allow you to protect yourself and aid in the prevention of similar crimes.
Examples: Robbery, aggravated assault, vehicle theft and hate crimes.
Emergency Voicemail System
In the event of emergency, information maybe provided and sent to the University voice-mailbox system.
Northwestern University Website Breaking News
Breaking News can be accessed from any computer with the appropriate password. Breaking News can be found on the northwestern.edu homepage. Emergency information and updates will be posted on the Northwestern University Breaking News page by Global Marketing &Communications.
Outdoor Siren System
The emergency outdoor siren alert system consists of roof-mounted speakers at several locations on the main Evanston campus and at the Evanston campus athletic complex at Central and Ashland. The alert system can make the traditional siren sound used by municipalities to warn of severe weather, as well as other sounds. It also can produce voice messages.
RAVE Mobile Safety (branded AlertNU internally)
This is a web-based emergency notification system hosted by an outside vendor. The system can call, text message and/or email all students, faculty and staff within one hour or less. Any or all of the combinations may be utilized depending on the emergency incident.
External Media Contacts
Northwestern may utilize external media contacts in the form of a news release or news conference to provide emergency information and updates.