Emergency Alert Notification Systems

In an emergency, the University will communicate key information as quickly and to as many people as possible.   Key information will include:

• the type of incident

• the location of the incident, if known, and

• what the reader’s response should be.  Example – Person with gun on campus.  Secure yourself in a safe place and wait for police.

Initial emergency communications will convey only the most critical information.  As the situation or emergency unfolds, the University will post interim announcements and/or instructions on the homepage.  The University will issue an All Clear message to convey the University’s return to normal operations via the primary communication methods.

When will the Alert System be activated?
If there is a condition which threatens the health and safety of persons on campus, University officials will warn the campus community using the following primary methods of communication:

• Text Messages
• WCU Email System
• WCU Homepage
• WCU's Information and Assistance Line

Secondary communication methods may be activated as circumstances dictate.

• Recorded message using voice mail functionality

• Network Login Pages (Blackboard and Webmail opening screens)

• Reverse 911 telephone message via Chester County Emergency Services

• Reverse 911 telephone message via Borough of West Chester

• Via electronic bulletin boards in Sykes, Anderson and Ruby Jones external kiosk

• Via police cruiser public address systems, bullhorns, or digital sign boards

• Via individual building public address systems

• Local news media, including WCU’s radio station WCUR AM 91.7

• Telephone trees or phone chains – many campus departments have incorporated phone chains into their notification procedures. 

Emergencies are unpredictable – preparing for them is not!

Like many other colleges and universities across the nation, West Chester University has been reviewing its safety policies and procedures and developing new initiatives to address the issues raised by recent tragedies. 

Although no university is completely safe, West Chester University has taken positive steps to enhance the safety of students, employees, and visitors.  With the cooperation and support of the campus community, we can only continue to improve.  Five of the most important steps that students and employees can take are:    

Activate and maintain regular access to your University-provided electronic mail accounts. 

In an emergency, WCU will quickly alert students, faculty and staff of emergency conditions by sending an email to your official WCU-assigned address.

Subscribe to text messaging service (WCU Alert )

While the University has a wide variety of methods to communication with members of the campus community, the number of mobile telephones has dramatically increased in recent years and text messaging has become a key method to reach people immediately. The test messaging service allows the University to use some of the latest technology to reach students, faculty and staff in the event of an emergency.

Know who to contact in an emergency!

Individuals witnessing or involved with an emergency situation at West Chester University should notify the Department of Public Safety by dialing 3311 from any campus phone or 610-436-3311. Program the campus emergency phone number 610-436-3311 into personal cell phones and prominently post this number in conspicuous places within your office, classroom setting, and course syllabi.

Report all emergencies and suspicious activities.

It is the responsibility of faculty, staff, and students to immediately report any situation that could possibly result in harm to anyone at the University. If you become aware of a troubling person or situation that is causing serious anxiety, stress, or fear, this information should be reported immediately to the Director of Public Safety.

In cases where a person may pose an immediate risk of violence to self or others, the Department of Public Safety should be contacted at 610-436-3311 or extension 3311 on campus phones.

Learn your responsibilities during an emergency.

In light of the recent tragedies across the nation, it is important that you understand how the University will proceed and respond in the case of an emergency on campus. In addition to the day-to-day coverage by WCU’ s Public Safety team, we have an Emergency Operations Plan in place that includes procedures to ensure a rapid response to an unanticipated emergency or threatening situation. If a situation arises on or around campus that could potentially threaten the health or safety of University community members, senior administrative officials and members of Public Safety are immediately summoned as part of WCU’s crisis response procedure. This group determines the appropriate actions to be taken, using WCU’s Emergency Operations Plan as its basis and guideline.


During a crisis or major emergency, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to follow the instructions provided by the WCU Emergency Alert systems.

Another important tool is the preparation you take now to learn, be aware of, and practice your own personal emergency plan. Learning where to find information, as well as becoming aware of building evacuation procedures for not only those buildings where you live or work, but for those that you visit during the course of your day is vital.

How are emergency alerts different from the Safety Alerts issued by Public Safety?

Safety Alerts are issued by the Department of Public Safety to provide notification to the campus (students, faculty, and staff) of any criminal activity it is aware of that may present a continuing threat.  This notification includes any incident that poses a serious threat to the campus community reported to the University, whether the incident occurred on campus or at an off-campus location.  Information contained in the Safety Alert will appear on the Public Safety webpage as well.

Safety Alerts are publicized via mass emails to faculty, staff, and students via the WCU-assigned email accounts.  In addition, all Building Administrators post paper copies of the Safety Alerts in their buildings.  All active Safety Alerts are maintained electronically on the Emergency Preparedness website.

Based on circumstances, Safety Alerts may be upgraded to major emergency status.