Emergency Text Alerts

Students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled to receive all emergency text alerts. Parents, community members and other non-affiliated individuals are encouraged to register to also receive emergency text alerts.

Text alerts are part of TU’s comprehensive emergency notification system and include critical updates for active safety threats, severe weather events, traffic advisories and more. 

Automatic Enrollment

All TU students, faculty and staff are required to maintain a current mobile number on file to be auto enrolled in emergency text alerts. Follow the instructions below to add or update a mobile number. 

Adding/updating a mobile number for students:

• Log-in to the Student Dashboard
• Select My Profile, then Contact Info to confirm your mobile number is correct or to add a mobile number if one isn’t listed
• NOTE: If your mobile number is already listed as “permanent,” “work” or another phone number type, you must click “Add Phone Number,” select “Mobile” from the dropdown, and add your mobile number again.

Adding/updating a mobile number for faculty and staff: 

• Go to myTU and login to view your Personal Information Summary
• Confirm your mobile number is correct or add a mobile number if one isn’t already listed
• NOTE: A mobile number must be listed for emergency text alerts. If your account shows your mobile as a permanent number, you must add it as a new number and label it “mobile.”

Registering for Text Alerts

Anyone not affiliated with TU may sign up to receive campus emergency text alerts. For assistance registering for emergency alerts, email your name, email, mobile phone number, and phone service provider to scotton AT_TOWSON. 

Non-affiliated users may unsubscribe from alerts at any time. 

Other Emergency Notifications

In addition to emergency text alerts, the Office of Public Safety shares safety alerts via email, the university’s website and, when appropriate, the campus emergency siren system. TU remains committed to ensuring every member of the campus community is informed and provided critical and urgent updates in the event of an emergency. For questions about emergency notifications or TU’s comprehensive alert system please contact publicsafety AT_TOWSON. 

FAQs

Can I control what messages I receive?

Auto-enrolled and registered users receive all emergency text alerts. Non-affiliated users can unsubscribe from emergency alerts by responding STOP to an alert. 

Will I receive unsolicited non-emergency messages?

No. Recipients will only receive emergency messages. Mobile phone numbers are securely stored and not shared, distributed or used for any other purposes. 

Can I unsubscribe from emergency text alerts? 

To ensure our campus community is informed in the event of an emergency, students, faculty and staff are not able to unsubscribe from emergency text alerts. Non-affiliated users may unsubscribe at any time by responding STOP via text.

Do I need to install any software on my phone? 

No. Emergency text alerts are sent to all types of mobile devices (e.g. Apple, Android, Google) and do not require any software or application. 

Is there a cost associated with emergency text alerts? 

No. The university does not charge for text message alerts. Standard text messaging rates could apply depending on your mobile device plan. Check with your carrier for details. 

Who do I contact if I’m having trouble receiving alerts or have questions? 

Questions about emergency text alerts should be directed to TUPD at publicsafety AT_TOWSON.