UNT uses a system called Eagle Alert to notify campus with immediate information about emergency situations.
Eagle Alert allows UNT administrators to quickly contact the campus community members by phone. The system sends voice messages to the phones, including cell phones, of all students who have provided current contact information. The system can also send text messages to cell phones if the cell phone user has granted the system permission to do so.
In addition to receiving text and voice messages by phone, the system includes a feature that overrides most computers operated by UNT in offices, classrooms and public spaces on campus. During the test or in the event of an emergency, computer screens, presentation screens and digital signs will display a full-screen test alert. Users have the option to click out of the screen after the alert has displayed.
Students should update their phone numbers in my.unt.edu.
- Log in
- Click on the “Profile” tile
- Click on either “Contact Detail” or “Eagle Alert” — the information is the same in both places
- Update your contact information and/or your preference for receiving Eagle Alert via text message
"Whenever an incident occurs that affects the immediate safety and well being of the UNT community, the appropriate messages will be sent by the system, informing the community of what actions to take to insure their continued safety," says Joe Adamo, director of Communications Services. "UNT administrators are very concerned for the well being of our campus community and we are implementing this system to add to the current notification capabilities that we have on campus."
@UNTEagleAlert is UNT's official campus emergency Twitter account. @UNTEagleAlert followers receive emergency messages and updates in real time to keep them informed.
What's an emergency?
Eagle Alert is only used in critical situations including:
- campus closings due to inclement weather
- health and public safety emergencies like chemical spills, fires or violence
Messages not only notify you about the situation but also let you know what kind of action you need to take. Follow up Eagle Alert messages will provide updated information for ongoing situations, as needed.
Who decides when a message will be sent?
The decision to activate the Eagle Alert system is made by any of the following people:
- president
- chief of police
- provost and vice president of academic affairs
- vice president for finance and administration
What will happen when the university closes?
When a decision is made to close the university, UNT will notify the campus community members by:
- sending an Eagle Alert message
- providing the information to campus telephone operators
- posting a message to the university web site
- posting a message on the UNT Facebook page
- tweeting a message from @UNTEagleAlert
- sending campus emails
- informing news media
If the university is closed for more than one day, you should check the UNT web siteat www.unt.edu,the UNT Facebook page and @UNTEagleAlert for the latest information. The university also will continue providing updated information to campus telephone operators, and inform news media.
How can you make sure it works?
Students should update their contact information via their my.unt.edu account. They can update two numbers – a local number, such as a home phone, and a cell phone – as well as indicate which number is their primary number. They are able to indicate whether they would like text messages sent to the number they indicate as a cell phone.
A message will be sent to all the numbers the student provides anytime Eagle Alert is used.
What can you as a parent do?
To insure the safety of their students, parents should encourage their students to review and update their contact information during enrollment for each semester.
Like other emergency alert systems, Eagle Alert is tested once each fall and spring semester by University Relations, Communications and Marketing; Risk Management Services or the UNT Police Department by sending test messages to the university community. Additional limited tests are conducted if needed.
Who runs the service?
Eagle Alert is operated by Blackboard Connect, that provides the same product to other universities and schools including Texas Tech, Baylor, University of Dallas and the Richardson Independent School District. UNT's University Relations, Communications and Marketing division manages @UNTEagleAlert.
Eagle Alert links