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Queen’s University is encouraging students, staff, and faculty to sign up for QUAlerts text notifications to ensure they receive critical information as quickly as possible in the event of a campus emergency.

QUAlerts is the university’s emergency notification system. It delivers urgent messages to the campus community through multiple channels, including opt-in text alerts and automated email.  

Much like an AMBER Alert, text messages are the fastest and most reliable way to receive emergency notifications. They can be configured to bypass a phone’s “Do Not Disturb” settings and are typically seen more quickly than emails or other alerts.

“QUAlerts text messages are the most effective way to reach the Queen’s community in the event of an emergency,” says Chris Scott, Director of Campus Security and Emergency Services (CSES). “Because it is an opt-in system, we are urging all campus community members to sign up. By signing up, phone numbers are added to an anonymous distribution list with no identifying information. In an emergency, every number on that list will receive a text notification.”

To register your phone to receive emergency text notifications, visit the QUAlerts signup webpage, and enter your Queen’s ID and mobile number. The system will send a security code to your device for verification. From there, you will receive a text message confirming that you have signed up.  

Emergency alerts may be issued for situations such as:

• Police or security incidents
• Building emergencies
• Severe weather  
• Other urgent safety situations

To raise awareness and encourage sign-ups, the university will be running a social media campaign for QUAlerts text notifications.

A test of the QUAlerts system will take place at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.

The university will also test its loudspeaker Emergency Notification System (ENS) at 12:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.

The ENS is a public address system consisting of pole-mounted outdoor speakers located on top of Humphrey Hall, Chernoff Hall, and Stauffer Library on main campus, as well as near John Orr Tower on west campus.

The test will include the broadcasting of “Westminster Chimes” followed by a brief pre-recorded message. The test will last approximately one minute.

For more information, visit the QUAlerts website.