Emergency Alerts

When an incident takes place on campus that may represent a continuing threat, OU Police will notify the campus community in a timely manner. Because no single system is capable of reaching everyone, everywhere, every time, OU Police maintains several different ways to communicate a message in an emergency. Together these systems create the OU Alert Notification System. Methods of communication are chosen based on the individual situation or incident.

One or more of the following methods will be used to convey information during an emergency:

• Posting on Oakland University Police Department home page
• Posting on Oakland University home page
• Posting to Oakland University social media (Facebook/Twitter)
• Text message alert to registered cell phone numbers
• Posting on interior digital signs
• Broadcast e-mail to all student, faculty, and staff OU addresses
• Broadcast voicemail to all campus phones
• Notification of campus operator
• Loudspeaker systems in patrolling police cars
• Posting of flyers on doors throughout campus
• Word of mouth
• Notification of media outlets including:
  • WJBK-TV FOX 2
  • WDIV-TV Channel 4
  • WXYZ-TV Channel 7
  • WJR AM 760
  • WWJ AM 950

Keep in mind that while crisis communications are sent as immediately as possible, text, email, and voicemail broadcast delivery methods may be impeded by delayed delivery due to technological shortfalls. Therefore, the best place to receive the most up-to-date information during or following a campus emergency is the OU Police home page. Updates to the website become visible immediately.

Alerts for Students & Employees

All Other Users (Visitors, Contractors, Parents, etc.) can text the phrase "oualert" without quotes to 67283 to enroll in the emergency alert system for 365 days. You will be automatically un-enrolled in the OU emergency alert system at the end of the 365 day period. 

ALL users can sign up for weather alerts by texting "ouweather" to 67283 to sign up for 365 days of weather alerts.