WolfAlerts
WolfAlerts are timely and important messages for the campus community. They are reserved for emergencies that present a broad, immediate, and ongoing threat to campus. They are delivered using multiple methods to ensure that people receive emergency alerts.
Reporting an Emergency
- To report an emergency at NC State University, always dial 911.
- Emergency Status Information: 919-513-8888
- Campus Police (Non-Emergency): 919-515-3000
- Monthly WolfAlert tests are scheduled for 12:15 p.m. on the first Monday of every month.
Methods of Emergency Notification and Communication
WolfAlerts are sent out using various methods. Your relationship to the campus community (e.g. student, staff, and/or parent) can affect how you receive WolfAlerts. There is more information available for emergency communications with parents and families.
- Text Messaging
- Active students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive WolfAlert text messages for campus emergencies and university closings.
- Messages will contain brief safety instructions and/or brief details on where to get more information about the alert.
- Students, faculty, and staff, should make sure that they have signed up to receive emergency text messages and confirm their emergency contact information in MyPack Portal.
- There may be delays before they are received by individual devices.
- Broadcast Emails
- Broadcast emails are delivered to all official NCSU email accounts containing yourUnityID@ncsu.edu.
- If a different email address is listed as your preferred email address, follow the forwarding instructions provided by OIT to ensure all emails are delivered to the intended address.
- OnCampus App
- The OnCampus App can be used by faculty, staff, students, and the general public.
- It is available for download via Apple Appstore or Android Google Play
- To receive emergency information, make sure to turn on Enable WolfAlerts.
- Emergency Information Site
- Families may always get information about campus emergencies by going to emergency.ncsu.edu.
- Campus Sirens
- An emergency warranting use of the audible alert system will be initiated by a pulsed tone lasting for 30 seconds followed by a short message with this sequence repeated three times.
- The warning system consists of speaker arrays mounted on poles or building roofs at various locations across campus.
- In the event of certain infrequent emergencies, either tones or brief messages will be broadcast over these speakers to notify those outside of buildings to take certain actions (e.g. seek shelter in a nearby building).
- When the audible alert tone sounds, NC State personnel are being advised to do the following (SOS):
- Seek shelter immediately.
- Obtain information from the university home page on any additional action that needs to be taken.
- Stay tuned for further information until an “all clear” signal is obtained from campus officials.
- Any campus emergency initiated by the alert system will be closed with an “all clear” signal from the system. This signal will be a “Westminster Chimes” tone followed by a short “all clear” message, with this sequence repeated three times.
- University Homepage
- The university uses its homepage for alerts.
- When an alert is active, a banner will appear near the top of the university homepage.
- Depending upon the level of alert, a simple advisory message or a full WolfAlert may be communicated in the banner.
- When additional information about an event is available, it will be communicated on a “More Information” page that is linked to from the banner.
- Alertus Desktop Notifications
- Alertus desktop notifications will post emergency alerts to individual computers via Alertus software.
- Downloads are available for university-owned and privately owned computers.
- Adverse Conditions Hotline
- The Adverse Conditions Hotline (919-513-8888) is used for a wide range of announcements, including adverse weather and emergency situations.
- Billboard Screens
- Messages can be delivered to electronic billboards located in common areas across campus.
- Social Media
Proactive Measures to Prepare and Prevent Emergencies
Safety is a shared responsibility. There are many resources and strategies that people should use to help prevent a personal or campus emergency, including:
- Registering for campus emergency text messaging
- Reading email announcements about campus crime updates
- Reporting suspicious activity — If someone sees or is aware of dangerous activity, they should contact University Police immediately by calling 911 (for emergencies) or 919-515-3000 (for non-emergencies).
- Using the specific strategies listed in the How to Respond in an Emergency section at emergency.ncsu.edu
- Using the Bluelight emergency phones, which are strategically placed around campus so that anyone can reach University Police with the touch of a button in an emergency
- Creating an emergency plan for students with special needs — Students with disabilities, such as a hearing impairment, should work with the Office of Disability Services and University Housing to make arrangements for emergency plans suitable for their needs.
More Resources
NC State has many resources online. The following sites are just some of the resources available and the information includes, but is not limited to, what is described below.