OU to Test Emergency Communication System on Sept. 7
The University of Oklahoma will conduct a university-wide test of its emergency communication system the morning of Thursday, Sept. 7.
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, social media and/or phone calls.
For ongoing emergency incidents, the university will send regular updates through RAVE. “ALL CLEAR” notifications are sent when there is no longer a threat to campus.
During an emergency situation, official updates from the university are distributed via RAVE. This will be your best source of timely and ACCURATE information regarding the situation. For situations involving law enforcement, please only contact OUPD if you have relevant information about the event or are experiencing an emergency.
Emergency contact information currently on record for all OU students, faculty and staff has been pre-loaded into RAVE.
To update or to verify your emergency contact information, visit ecs.ou.edu.
This link may be used for individuals on all three campuses. On this page, you can also edit your contact settings to add a second phone number – such as that of a family member or loved one – to receive these alerts.
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
RAVE Alert Keywords to Know
Due to Federal Communications Commission regulations, OU RAVE alerts include one of three keywords. Each keyword indicates 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). - “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 alert indicating a tornado warning in Norman would be:
OU-NORMAN Emergency [TIME]: Tornado WARNING in effect for OU-NORMAN Campus. Seek shelter NOW inside the building you are in. Move to lowest floor/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 institution or local municipality.
More information about RAVE can be found at link.ou.edu/3OLL4UD.
FEMA and FCC to Conduct Nationwide Emergency Alert Test
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission has announced a nationwide emergency alert test, set for approximately 1:20 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The test will be sent to all TVs, radios and cell phones across the country. This will be to ensure that the federal emergency alert systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on a national level. This test is not connected to the University of Oklahoma.
More information about the test can be found on the FEMA website.
