Baylor Alert Emergency Notification System Enhances Campus Safety

Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, 254-327-8012 
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Clear, timely communication about campus safety isn't just important – it’s essential to building trust, preventing harm and empowering each member of the campus community to stay safe and informed during any emergency situation. At Baylor University, the multi-tiered Baylor Alert emergency notification system is in place to ensure members of the Baylor community have multiple ways to access up-to-date information about any campus emergency. 

Each September, colleges and universities across the country have a key opportunity to reinforce the importance of safety communication, as the return of students coincides with both National Campus Safety Awareness Month (NCSAM) and FEMA’s National Preparedness Month. 

Whether the risks are related to severe weather or safety issues or threats, Baylor University’s Department of Public Safety (BUDPS) encourages Baylor students, faculty, staff and visitors to enhance their readiness for emergencies. By understanding the University’s multi-tiered approach through the Baylor Alert emergency notification system, they can respond effectively to any emergency situation, foster a culture of preparedness and ensure that everyone is ready to act when it matters most.

“What truly strengthens our readiness is that the Baylor Alert System is multi-tiered,” said Donald J. (DJ) Rodman, senior director of Public Safety and Security at Baylor. “We utilize multiple communications tools, including outdoor sirens and loudspeakers, email and text messages, official University social media channels, the main Baylor website and more, that all work together, which ensures vital information reaches the entire campus quickly and clearly.”

Baylor Alert Emergency Notification System

Baylor Alert uses multiple systems to communicate in an emergency, including: 

• Outdoor Notification System (Main Waco Campus Only)
• Baylor Alert email notification to Baylor email account (from baylor@email.getrave.com)
• Baylor Alert text message to cellphone
• Audio message to a cellphone or other telephone
• Notices on Baylor’s main website (www.baylor.edu)
• Official Baylor social media channels: Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram
• The Baylor Information Line audio recording at 254-710-4411

Initial notifications will include a brief summary of the incident. As more details become available, follow-up messages may be sent to provide specific instructions for students, faculty, and staff. These updates may:

• Advise you to avoid certain areas of campus;
• Inform you of class cancellations due to an emergency;
• Provide critical guidance on what actions to take if you're on campus during the situation; and
• Provide an ALL CLEAR when the emergency situation has been resolved and the campus can return safety to regular operations.

Baylor Alert emergency notifications are sent to the entire campus community to ensure broad awareness. This is due to the size of the campus, the frequency of movement within the campus by community members and the commitment to keep the entire community aware of significant emergencies. Additionally, BUDPS may issue a Timely Warning or Safety Notification using the same process for Baylor Alerts.

• A Timely Warning is a notification of a Clery crime or crimes that have already occurred and are considered by the institution to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees.
• A Safety Notification may be issued when an incident or crime has occurred and may affect members of the campus community, but an emergency notification or timely warning is not required. 

Check your Baylor Alert contact information

Baylor students and employees are automatically enrolled in Baylor Alert when they begin their journey at the University. However, if any personal information changes such as a new cellphone number, they can add or update their contact information online. Students can update their information in BearWeb while employee can make updates in Ignite. Instructions are available on the Baylor Alert website.

Parents, visitors, contractors and others can opt in to receive Baylor Alert (text messages) using one of the following options:

• Short-term visitors (1-3 days) can text Baylor1845 to 226787. *Note, subscriptions automatically expire after 3 days.
• Long-term visitors (weeks, months, semester, etc.) can text Baylor76798 to 226787. *Note: subscriptions do not automatically expire. Users need to opt out to stop receiving notifications.

“The Baylor Alert System is absolutely essential – it’s our fastest and most reliable way to keep students, faculty, staff and visitors informed during emergencies or developing situations,” Rodman said. “It ensures our community is notified and can take appropriate action to keep themselves and others safe.”

Find more information about Baylor University emergency systems and related items by visiting the BUDPS Baylor Alert website. 

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY 

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.  

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Baylor University Department of Public Safety serves as an umbrella department for the Baylor University Police Department, emergency management, physical and technical security and parking and transportation. BUDPS is set on providing students, faculty and alumni with excellent security and safety through instant notification systems, extensive surveillance cameras and highly trained staff.