UR Alert FAQ
General Information FAQ
Text Messaging FAQ
UR Alert is an automated notification system used by the University of Richmond to contact faculty, staff, and students in the event of an emergency.
- The system will send email to faculty, staff, and students at their @richmond.edu email accounts.
- The system will send voice messages as follows:
- To faculty and staff via their work phone
- To students via their residence hall phone or local phone of record if they live off-campus
- To faculty, staff, and students via their cell phone (but ONLY if they "opt in" for this feature)
- To faculty and staff via their home phone (but ONLY if they "opt in" for this feature)
- The system will send SMS text messages to faculty, staff, and students (but ONLY if they "opt in" for this feature)
University community members will receive instructions on how to opt in for certain features of the system.
I am a non-credit student. When will I be eligible to receive messages from the UR Alert System?
The University is investigating how it might effectively include this ever-changing population. Enrollment in non-credit programs fluctuates almost daily.
How will the University of Richmond use the UR Alert System information?
Information will be used only for emergency notifications regarding campus safety issues or severe weather emergencies.
What other means will be used by the University to communicate emergency information?
The University will continue to use its well-established broadcast methods that do not require a subscription:
- The University of Richmond homepage
- Broadcast e-mails to students, faculty, and staff
- Broadcast voicemail messages to campus phones (residence halls and offices)
- The Emergency Hotline (804-289-8760)
- The campus tornado siren
- The University switchboard (804-289-8000)
- Coordinated use of public media outlets
Will I receive duplicate alert messages?
In an attempt to reach the entire population as quickly as possible, officials likely will use several available communications methods. Therefore, you may receive messages in multiple formats.
Will the University of Richmond be testing the UR Alert system?
The University plans to test the system at least once per semester. The campus community will be notified in advance of such tests.
When will you deactivate my subscription to the UR Alert System?
Your subscription may be deactivated if you leave the University or if your affiliation changes.
Will I be notified when my subscription to the UR Alert System is deactivated?
You will NOT be notified when your subscription is deactivated because of a change in affiliation.
I am no longer affiliated with the University of Richmond, how do I “unsubscribe” or stop these messages from being sent to me?
If you are not an active faculty, staff, or student at the University of Richmond and believe you should not be getting emergency notification messages, please contact the appropriate University office to ensure that our records accurately reflect your status. Faculty and staff should check with Human Resources; students should check with the Registrar's Office.
What are the consequences of deciding not to opt in to the cell or home phone alerts of the UR Alert System?
You will not receive messages via your cell phone if you choose not to provide a cell phone number. You will not receive SMS text messages if you choose not to opt in to receive those. For faculty and staff, you will not receive a voice message at your home phone number of record unless you opt in to do so. You will continue to receive e-mail notification at your Richmond e-mail address; you will have access to the Emergency Hotline; and you will be able to find the emergency information at the University homepage.
Faculty and staff will receive the emergency message on their office phone. If voice mail picks up, the message will be delivered to the voice mail box. Students will receive the emergency message on their residence hall phone extension. If the phone is not answered, a message will be delivered to those extensions connected directly to an answering machine. Those students using personal voice mail boxes will not receive the message in their personal voice mail box, however.
How is my contact information updated for the UR Alert System?
Each individual must update their contact and opt-in information on BannerWeb. You are responsible for making all updates or changes to your opt-in contact information when it changes.
Does the University correct my home or cell phone number when it is wrong?
The University of Richmond will not verify the accuracy of the data you enter.
I am attempting to opt in to home phone notification. My home phone is wrong, how can I correct it?
- First log on to your BannerWeb account.
- Click on the Personal Information link
- Click on the Update Address(es) and Phone(s) link
- Click on Primary link
- Type your correct phone number into the Phone Number input block
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click submit
Will my contact information be shared with anyone?
The contact data you enter will be provided to a third party for purposes of notifying you in the event of an emergency.
The third-party vendor has agreed that they have no right to use your contact information for any purpose other than notifying you via the UR Alert System. They do not have rights to sell, disclose, or trade your contact information. When required by law (e.g., in compliance with a subpoena or court order) your contact information may be disclosed.
Only those employees of the University of Richmond who must use this information to administer and manage the UR Alert System will have access to your contact information.
Is there a charge for utilizing the UR Alert System?
No, the University will not charge a fee for the UR Alert system. However, if you elect to receive text messages, you may incur charges from your carrier for any messages sent to your number.
You asked for a Primary Emergency Contact Person. Will UR Alert contact that person as well?
The BannerWeb Emergency Contact Information form provides space to enter contact information for your primary emergency contact. This information will not be used by the system but may be used by the appropriate University staff member in case of an injury or other urgent need. You will use this space to provide the University with the name and contact information of the person you want notified in the event of an urgent situation.
Text Messaging FAQ
How do I opt in to receive text messages from the UR Alert system?
You can opt in by providing a text-enabled phone number via BannerWeb and by agreeing to receive text messages by checking the appropriate checkbox. NOTE: Your phone and cell plan must have text messaging enabled.
What happens after I sign up (opt in) for text messaging via BannerWeb?
After you sign up online, Connect-ED automatically sends a text message to your phone with a confirmation request during business hours (10am–6pm PST). You will be instructed to reply to the text message by typing "YES uralert" or "Y uralert" to confirm the process.
What happens if I’m unavailable to reply to the opt-in confirmation request?
You do not need to immediately reply to the confirmation text message; you are allowed to reply at any time. However, the text message announcement service will not be activated until you respond. If you lose the original opt-in confirmation text message request, text “SUBSCRIBE URALERT” to 23177.
How do I opt out?
You may opt out at any time by unselecting the opt-in checkbox in BannerWeb.
What if I opted out but later decide I would like to opt in again?
You may request to begin receiving messages again by texting “SUBSCRIBE URALERT” to 23177. Connect-ED will then re-initiate the opt-in request and send you a confirmation text message. You must reply by sending the word “YES” to confirm your request.
If I change my cell phone provider (but not my cell phone number), do I need to opt in again?
No. Once your phone number has been opted in, it stays registered within the system.
I opted in to receive text messages from Connect-ED but have not received anything. What should I do?
You should first check to verify that your cell phone number is correct within BannerWeb. If it is incorrect, update the information. You may also need to check with your carrier to ensure that your cell phone and your cell plan have text messaging enabled.
What happens if I don’t reply to the opt-in confirmation text message that I received via the mobile phone?
If you do not reply with the confirmation code, you will not receive text messages.
What if I want to temporarily opt out of receiving text messages for a period of time?
A contact may temporarily opt out and opt in as often as he/she likes via BannerWeb by selecting or unselecting the “opt in” option.
How do I opt out of receiving just text messages?
Unselect the text messaging option via BannerWeb. This allows you to temporarily stop receiving text messages (going on vacation, traveling). You can opt to receive messages again by reselecting the option.