Update your AlertVU by signing up using these steps:
- Log into Oracle Cloud using single sign-on
- Navigate to Personal Information → Contact Info
- Add or update your mobile phone number
- Confirm that text messaging is selected as a delivery option
As winter weather and widespread power outages affected campus and the Middle Tennessee region last week, Vanderbilt relied on AlertVU to share time-sensitive updates about class schedules, campus operations and safety conditions. Those messages—often sent as conditions evolved throughout the day—play a crucial role in keeping the Vanderbilt community informed, especially during periods of uncertainty.
The past week also reinforced an important reminder: AlertVU works best when everyone’s contact information is current and complete.
AlertVU is Vanderbilt University’s emergency notification system, used to communicate urgent information during situations such as severe weather, safety incidents, utility disruptions or other campus emergencies. Powered by the Everbridge platform, AlertVU allows the university to reach students, faculty and staff through multiple channels—including email, text messages, phone calls, desktop alerts and the VandySafe app.
While all students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled to receive AlertVU messages via their Vanderbilt email address, text messages and phone calls are only delivered if a mobile number has been entered and text notifications are enabled by the employee. During recent outreach efforts, campus leaders identified that a significant number of community members did not have cellphone numbers listed or had not opted in to receive text alerts—which can limit how quickly messages are received when circumstances are changing rapidly.
“In situations like last week, when power and internet access were inconsistent for many people, receiving a text message can make a meaningful difference,” Tommye Sutton, chief of police and assistant vice chancellor for public safety, noted. “We want to make sure everyone can get timely updates in the way that works best for them.”
How AlertVU reaches the community
AlertVU uses multiple delivery methods to help ensure messages reach people wherever they are:
- Email alerts sent automatically to Vanderbilt email addresses
- Text and voice messages sent to mobile phones (when enabled)
- Push notifications through the VandySafe app
- Desktop alerts on university computers via the Alertus system
Using multiple channels helps ensure that crucial messages are not missed—even if someone is without power, away from email or unable to access other communication tools.
What you can do now
Faculty and staff are encouraged to take a few minutes to review and update their contact information so AlertVU messages can reach them quickly and reliably.
To update your information:
- Log into Oracle Cloud using single sign-on
- Navigate to Personal Information → Contact Info
- Add or update your mobile phone number
- Confirm that text messaging is selected as a delivery option
Students can review and update their AlertVU contact preferences through the YES portal, including adding or updating mobile numbers and notification settings.
VUMC faculty and staff can follow these instructions to edit or add contact information in Workday.
A shared commitment to staying informed
AlertVU is one of the university’s most important tools for communicating during emergencies—but it depends on accurate, up-to-date information from the community it serves. Taking a few minutes to review your contact details helps ensure you receive timely updates, whether you’re on campus, working remotely or navigating challenging conditions.
As Vanderbilt reflects on lessons learned from the past week, keeping AlertVU information current is a simple step each of us can take to support a safer, more connected campus community.
