Under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of Florida is required to notify the University community upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on the campus.
Does UF Alert use outdoor notification speakers?
Yes. UF Alert outdoor notification speakers are located in high pedestrian trafficked outdoor areas. UF Alert outdoor speakers locations can be viewed on the UF Campus Map’sCampus Safety menu.
Can I opt into / out of UF Alerts for a specific location?
Yes, you can!
To edit your UF Alert location settings, take the following steps:
Go to the My UFL web site at http://my.ufl.edu Click on then “Access myUFL” button and sign in with your Gator Link username and password Select the “Main Menu”
Under the "My Account" menu, click "Update Emergency Contact"
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the correct UF Alert Preference.
NOTE: Everyone will still receive System Wide UF Alerts.
Why do Emergency Notifications and Timely Warnings send out differently on UF Alert?
The UF Alert system is used to distribute both, 'timely warnings' and 'emergency notifications.'
In general:
‘Timely warnings’ are sent for incidents that have already occurred but represent a serious or continuing threat.
Timely Warnings are primarily distributed through email, social media and push notifications on the Gator Safe app only.
‘Emergency notifications’ are issued for significant emergencies or dangerous situations which are currently occurring on or imminently threatening the campus.
Emergency notifications are distributed through more modes via the UF Alert system including SMS/text messages and VoIP phones
You can find additional definitions and examples of these at the University of Florida Police Together For a Safe Campus website.
Why is a final message sent when the situation appears unresolved?
One of the primary purposes of the UF Alert system is sending out emergency notifications when there is an immediate threat to the lives and/or safety of students, faculty, and staff in or around the University of Florida campus. Criminal incidents may necessitate the issuance of a UF Alert when assailants are actively fleeing the incident area, creating an immediate threat to the students, faculty, and staff. However, some assailants are not immediately apprehended after the UF Alert has been issued but the immediate danger of campus is no longer deemed a threat and has been clear by police. In accordance with the Clery Act, the University of Florida ( as well as all higher education institutions) “must provide adequate follow-up information to the community as needed."
To ensure compliance, the “adequate follow-up” of a crime (that necessitated the issuance of a UF Alert) may be that the initial incident area is “all clear”, yet the assailants are not apprehended. The only actions to take would then be to call the police with any information related to the incident. Numerous days, weeks, or months may pass before the assailants are arrested. Due to the passage of time, sending out a UF Alert with an outcome update (via text or email) could create confusion and is not deemed necessary for public information nor Clery Act compliance.
Anyone however that wants see all crimes (including ones that necessitated a UF Alert) and their current disposition can access them via the internet on the University Police Department’s Crime Log located at UPD Media and Public information page.
How do I stop receiving UF Alert texts?
You can opt-out anytime by texting “STOP UFAlert” or “QUIT UFAlert” to SMS shortcode "23177".
I am no longer a student or employee, how do I stop receiving UF Alert emails?
You may be receiving emails to your non-UF email account due to the forwarding component associated with an “ufl.edu” e-mail service. To ensure this does not happen again, please go to the “MyUFL” web site and login - https://my.ufl.edu/ps/signon.html. Once logged in, go to the “Main Menu”, then onto the “My Account” and finally to the “Set GatorLink Email Forwarding”. You should be able to turn off any forwarding at that point. If you continue to have concerns or cannot remember your password, contact the University of Florida IT Help Desk at: http://helpdesk.ufl.edu or call them at 352-392-HELP (4357).
How do I update my UF Alert contact information?
UF students, faculty and staff are responsible for maintaining their correct contact information in the emergency contact section of MyUFL (MyUFL > My Account > Update Emergency Contact). Additionally, please review your specific carrier plan to ensure no restrictions or limitations apply that would limit your ability to receive this type of information. Standard messaging rates will apply.
I am a student or employee and am not getting UF Alert texts, how do I enroll / update / confirm my number?
Updates can be made at MyUFL > My Account > Update Emergency Contact. After you sign up online, the Blackboard Connect service will automatically send a test message to your mobile phone to confirm your request. This will occur between 1pm – 9pm. The confirmation message will read the following: UF ALERT: This phone number has already been opted-in. More info text reply “HELP” or “STOP UFAlert” to opt-out.
To confirm your subscription; text “SUBSCRIBE UFAlert” to short code 23177. You will receive the following message: UF ALERT: This phone number has already been opted in. More info text reply “HELP” or “STOP UFAlert” to opt out.
I am a student or employee, how do I stop UF Alert emails?
Receiving the email component of an emergency notification is a service of having a UF email account and there is no way to opt out of this. However, you can opt out of receiving alerts for a location.
To edit your UF Alert location settings, take the following steps:
Go to the My UFL web site at http://my.ufl.edu Click on then “Access myUFL” button and sign in with your Gator Link username and password Select the “Main Menu”
Under the "My Account" menu, click "Update Emergency Contact"
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the correct UF Alert Preference.
NOTE: You will still receive System Wide UF Alerts.
How am I sure it’s a real UF Alert text phone number sending me emergency notifications?
UF Alert text messages will appear from either 23177 or 63079. Please add both numbers to your cell phone contact list and name both "UF Alert." This will assist in identifying authorized UF Alert messages on your phone.
I am a parent / guardian / concerned citizen how do I sign up for UF Alerts?
There are many options available to receiving UF Alert notifications for people outside the UF identify management system.
Download the Gator Safe app. To verify the notifications are enabled, go to "About / Preferences" then "Notifications Settings" and verify that "Enable Notifications" is selected.
Subscribe an email address to the email RSS feeds.
Follow @UFAlert on Twitter and opt in to receive notification through Twitter.
Follow @UFAlert on Facebook and opt in to receive notification through Facebook.
Why did I receive an alert on my cell phone that is not a UF Alert or another subscribed service?
The alert you received on your cell phone might be a Wireless Emergency Alert. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the wireless industry, have began sending emergency alerts though CMAS (also known as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) or Personal Localized Alerting Network (PLAN)). It is a new public safety system that allows customers who own an enabled mobile device to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area.
Find phone carrier specific information and other general information at the CTIA-The Wireless Association.
Find specific weather alert broadcast information at NOAA's Weather-Ready Nation.
Where can I learn more about the outcomes to UF Alerts I have received?