September is National Preparedness Month, a time for communities to be intentional about emergency preparedness. Vanderbilt University Public Safety encourages the community to take a moment to review emergency notification settings and make sure you’re prepared to receive emergency notifications when they matter most.
Two key dates are coming up next week:
- Tuesday, Sept. 15: The community should review and update notification preferences in the VandySafe app to keep receiving push notifications.
- Thursday, Sept. 17: Vanderbilt University Public Safety will conduct a full-scale test of the AlertVU emergency notification system.
Review your VandySafe settings by Sept. 15
Earlier this month, VUPS shared an update to the VandySafe app and how users can review their settings.
Beginning Sept. 16, those who have not updated their VandySafe settings will no longer receive AlertVU push notifications through the VandySafe app. AlertVU notifications through other registered contact methods, including phone and email, will remain unchanged.
Review the recent VandySafe update and learn how to review your campus notification preferences.
AlertVU test: Sept. 17
Vanderbilt University Public Safety will conduct a full-scale test of the AlertVU emergency notification system on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m.
Regular testing of the AlertVU system is essential to maintaining a reliable and effective emergency notification program. These routine tests confirm the system is functioning as intended and allow community members to verify their contact information is current and that they can receive alerts. Periodic evaluations strengthen our collective preparedness and ensure timely communication during critical situations.
AlertVU and VandySafe: What’s the difference?
AlertVU is Vanderbilt’s emergency notification system, used to alert university students, faculty, staff and visitors, as well as the Vanderbilt University Medical Center community, in the event of an emergency that poses an imminent threat or danger.
Vanderbilt email addresses are automatically enrolled in AlertVU email notifications. Users may also choose to receive alerts via:
- Mobile phone (call or text)
- Landline phone
- Personal email address
- Desktop alerts on computers (Nashville notifications only)
- VandySafe app push notifications
VandySafe is Vanderbilt’s safety app, which integrates the AlertVU emergency notification system and other safety resources all in the palm of your hand. VandySafe features include AlertVU push notifications, the mobile bluelight function to share your location with VUPS personnel and more. As of Sept. 16, those who have not updated their VandySafe settings will not receive push notifications from the app. You may update your settings in the app at any time.
Do we have the right contact information?
Students
Student AlertVU contact information is maintained in YES. Students are encouraged to review and update their contact information; instructions are available here.
Faculty and staff
Faculty and staff AlertVU contact information is maintained in Oracle Cloud. All faculty and staff should review their contact information to ensure notifications are delivered to their preferred personal points of contact. Access your Personal Details page in Oracle Cloud (log in via single sign-on) to review or update your information. Instructions are available here.
VandySafe
VandySafe grows with Vanderbilt. With the recent opening of Vanderbilt’s New York City campus, the VandySafe app has been updated to support campus-specific emergency notifications.
Vanderbilt NYC students, faculty and staff: Learn more about the upcoming AlertVU test specific to the New York City campus.
AlertVU for family, friends and guests
Individuals who are not affiliated with Vanderbilt may sign up to receive AlertVU notifications through the AlertVU Community Portal.
Vanderbilt Health
Vanderbilt Health employees can review and update their AlertVU contact information in Workday to ensure notifications continue to be delivered to their desired personal points of contact. Instructions are available here.
Key resources
- For students: How to update your AlertVU contact information
- For faculty and staff: How to update your AlertVU contact information
- For students, faculty and staff: Recent VandySafe update: Review your campus notification preferences
- For Vanderbilt NYC students, faculty and staff: Review NYC-specific information
- For Vanderbilt Health employees: How to update your AlertVU contact information