The University of Oklahoma will conduct a university-wide test of its emergency communication system the morning of Thursday, Feb. 23.
Please note, new keywords are being added to OU’s emergency communication alerts. See below for more information.
The alert system, also known as RAVE, allows the university to keep students, faculty and staff informed of critical and/or important information regarding OU’s campuses in the event of a weather or safety emergency. The RAVE system is capable of using numerous alert methods, such as text messages, email and/or phone calls.
Emergency contact information currently on record for all OU students, faculty and staff has been pre-loaded into RAVE. Due to a recent upgrade in the emergency communication system, certain phone numbers not previously included in RAVE alerts will now receive RAVE alerts.
To update or to verify your emergency contact information, visit ecs.ou.edu.
This link may be used for individuals on all three campuses. Click your avatar in the upper right corner to view or change your account settings.
New Keywords Added to RAVE Alerts
Due to new Federal Communications Commission regulations, you will notice updated wording in OU RAVE alerts. Alerts now include one of three keywords, indicating level of response required:
“Emergency” = Take Immediate Action.
- This applies to significant emergency or dangerous situations involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees on campus (e.g., tornado warning, fire or law enforcement emergency).
“Urgent” = Be Aware/Prepared.
- This could include a campus closure (e.g., weather conditions) or a situation that requires awareness, but no immediate action (e.g., controlled power outage). Additionally, “All Clear” notifications will be sent with the Urgent heading.
“Critical” = Indicates a Timely Warning.
- Timely warnings are triggered by Clery Act crimes that have already occurred in OU’s geography but are considered a serious or ongoing threat to students or employees. Some examples include arson, burglary, aggravated assault, criminal homicide, motor vehicle theft, robbery and sex offenses.
For instance, an example of a RAVE message indicating a tornado warning in Norman would be:
OU-NORMAN Emergency [TIME]: Tornado WARNING for the OU-NORMAN Campus. Seek shelter NOW inside the building you are in. Move to lowest floor and interior room.
Students and Employees at Remote Locations
OU students and employees who study or work at remote locations will receive RAVE alerts from the OU campus where their program resides but are also encouraged to register for emergency alerts specific to their geographic location. Depending on individual circumstances, this might be through a separate academic institution or local municipality.
Non-OU Community Members Can Opt In
Members of the campus communities, such as family members and neighboring merchants, may opt in to receive emergency alerts for any of OU’s three campuses. To opt in:
- Norman Campus: Text OUALERTS to 67283
- Health Sciences Center: Text HSCAFFILIATE to 226787
- OU-Tulsa: Text outulsa to 67283
