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Alert Notification System
In the event of an emergency, the university uses a number of communication channels to provide time-sensitive alerts to students.
While all students automatically receive email alerts when there is an emergency event or significant campus safety threat, Special Constable Service (SCS) strongly recommends that students:
- Sign up for Laurier’s alert notification system to receive time sensitive alerts via SMS or voice call.
- Download the SAFEHawk App and enable notifications to receive push notification alerts through the app.
Modes of Communication in an Emergency Event
Laurier’s alert notification system, from Rave Mobile Safety, is an integrated messaging system that expands the university’s ability to send alerts to the Laurier community through various modes of communication in the event of an emergency such as a lockdown, hold and secure or shelter-in-place.
The following modes are currently available to the Laurier students:
- Email Alerts: The system sends a mass email notification to all current student email accounts. Students are automatically enrolled; sign-up is not required. It is important that you are monitoring your email for time-sensitive alerts.
- SAFEHawk App Alerts: An alert notification is pushed through the SAFEHawk app. Downloading the SAFEHawk app is required to receive alerts.
- SMS Text Message Alerts: The system sends an SMS text message to registered phone numbers.
- Voice Alerts: The system sends a voice call to registered phone numbers.
- Desktop Notifications: An "acknowledge and close" alert is pushed to all Laurier-managed computers running Windows and Mac operating systems in classrooms, labs and the Laurier Library.
- Digital Signage: The system sends an alert to connected digital signage screens throughout Laurier's campuses and locations, displaying time-sensitive alerts to the university community in an emergency event.
- The university also provides emergency updates through web notices and social media.
Laurier will strive to reach you through at least one of the communication modes during an emergency event or campus safety issue. It is important that you follow the recommendations to enable notifications on your devices for email, SAFEHawk app, voice and SMS text messages as outlined.
For assistance or to report a crime, call Special Constable Service at 519.885.3333 or report through the SAFEHawk app.
Registering for Notifications through MyAlerts
Laurier students are strongly encouraged to register their phone number(s) with the alert notification system. You will only receive a text message or voice call in the event of a significant on-campus emergency, in response to Laurier’s emergency procedures, or during periodic tests of the alert notification system.
To opt in for SMS text message alerts, follow the instructions below. You may provide up to three phone numbers.
- Log in at myalerts.wlu.ca using your Laurier Single Sign-On (SSO) credentials.
- On your first login, you will need to review and accept the Terms of Use to proceed.
- Under "Mobile Phones," select "Add."
- Enter your mobile number and select "Continue."
- If you want to receive voice calls in addition to SMS text message alerts at this mobile number, check the box for "Enable Voice Delivery Message."
- Confirm the carrier and select "Continue."
- Enter the confirmation code sent to your mobile number and select "Continue."
- Select "Done."
You have now activated your mobile number to receive SMS text message alerts from Laurier.
When an SMS alert is sent, do not reply to the alert through SMS as this will not be regularly monitored by Special Constables Services.
To opt in for voice alerts, follow the instructions below. You may provide up to three voice-only phone numbers.
- Log in at myalerts.wlu.ca using your Laurier Single Sign-On (SSO) credentials.
- On your first login, you will need to review and accept the Terms of Use to proceed.
- Under "Voice Only Contacts" select "Add."
- Enter your phone number and select the "Land Line."
- Select "Save."
You have now activated your phone number to receive voice alerts from Laurier.
Statement of Consent
By providing your phone number, you are allowing Laurier to send you SMS text messages and/or make automated voice calls from the alert notification system in accordance with Laurier’s emergency procedures. Note that SMS text message alerts and/or voice calls will only be specific to Laurier campuses and will not replace or include any “Broadcast Immediate” emergency alerts from provincial, territorial, or federal authorities. Text messages and/or voice calls are recurring and sent on an as-needed basis. Due to variability in network conditions and device functionality, there is no guarantee of SMS message delivery or successful voice calls. We do not charge for this service, however your mobile phone company may charge for text messages or voice call minutes. You may access technical support by texting INFO or HELP to 67283 at any time.
If you have questions about Laurier’s emergency procedures or the alert notification system, contact Special Constable Services at wlualertquestions@wlu.ca.
Notice of Collection and Privacy Statement
This information is collected under the authority of the Wilfrid Laurier University Act and university policies. Personal information collected by any part of the university may be used or disclosed by other units in order to execute the functions of the university and to administer the relationship between the university and its students, alumni, employees, clients, suppliers, partners and others.
If you have questions about the notice of collection, contact the Privacy office at privacy@wlu.ca.
Opting Out
If you wish to stop receiving text messages, you may do so by texting "STOP" to short code 67283 or through the MyAlerts portal.
If you wish to stop receiving voice call alerts, you may do so through the MyAlerts portal by updating your mobile number preferences or voice-only contact phone numbers.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
Be familiar with Laurier’s emergency procedures. Follow the instructions contained in the alert.
Laurier will send updated messages throughout the emergency event or campus safety issue. An “all clear” message will be sent when the emergency is declared over.
You can check this box while entering your mobile number when you opt in for SMS alerts if you want to receive both SMS and voice alerts at this mobile number.
Your carrier may be blocking texts from the short code number 67283. You may be able to retrieve the message on your device from spam number or unknown senders and confirm messages from 67283 are not spam. Alternatively, as recommended on the MyAlerts SMS registration page, contact your carrier and ask to have messages from short code 67283 delivered to your mobile device.
Laurier cannot guarantee successful receipt of SMS text messages on your device due to several potential reasons outside of Laurier’s control. This may include network issues, carrier issues, device issues, “Do Not Disturb” mode on, software or app issues, etc.
Confirm your mobile numbers by going to the MyAlerts portal.
Laurier cannot guarantee successful receipt of voice calls on your device due to several potential reasons outside of Laurier’s control. These may include network issues, carrier issues, device issues, “Do Not Disturb” mode on, software or app issues, etc.
Confirm your phone numbers by going to the MyAlerts portal.
No. The university will only use the phone number you provide through the MyAlerts portal for sending alerts and occasional test alerts related to Laurier’s emergency procedures from our alert notification system.
Standard text message rates may apply from your wireless provider and will be the responsibility of the individual receiving the text message. Check with your network provider to find out about the cost of receiving general texts.
An authentic Laurier alert text message will come from the number 67283. Add this number to your contacts to save it on your device.
You can choose to select a sound for the text alerts from the 67283 short code number directly in the notification settings of your mobile device.
Ensure that you have enabled push notifications on your device for the SAFEHawk app and your operating system is up to date.
We will only be sending email notifications to current students to their Laurier email addresses through our Laurier email lists.
Check your Outlook inbox to see if the email was delivered to the “Other” inbox instead of the “Focused” inbox. This is based on user behaviour and how you interact with your emails (i.e. this is Microsoft functionality and not a Laurier configuration setting). If this does occur, follow these steps to move messages to the “Focused” inbox. Alternatively, you may wish to turn off email sorting to the Focused and Other inboxes, follow the steps here.
If you are not receiving emails at your Laurier email address, contact the ICT Service Desk for support.
The university will share emergency alerts via email, on the university’s websites and through social media in addition to the SMS and SAFEHawk notifications.
Accessibility
Laurier strives to leverage digital resources and services accessible to all users, including those with disabilities who may also be using assistive technology. The Rave Mobile Safety solution meets a minimum of WCAG 2.1 standards. However, the university understands that meeting standards alone does not mean the solution will work seamlessly for all. Reach out with suggestions for improvement or questions by submitting the Alert Notification Set-Up Support Form.