PSU Alert FAQ

If you cannot find your question here, please email PSU Emergency Management: emr-mgmt@pdx.edu

How does the PSU Alert emergency notification system work?

In an emergency, PSU Alert messages are sent through multiple channels, including text, email, social media, and PSU's website. PSU uses the Rave Mobile Safety platform for these notifications.

Does PSU Alert cost anything?

There is no charge to receive PSU Alerts. However, some cellular plans charge for text messages.

What other safety notifications does PSU provide?

In addition to PSU Alerts, PSU may issue Timely Warnings or Campus Safety Advisories to @pdx.edu emails for non-emergency, safety-related incidents.

Will PSU Alerts be used for non-emergency messages?

No. PSU Alerts will only be used for urgent situations and campus closures, not for routine, spam or non-emergency communications.

How is the PSU Alerts system tested?

The PSU Alerts system is tested at least once per year to verify subscriptions to the system and to ensure that the system is working properly. Actual events that generate PSU Alerts may take the place of one or more tests.

How are PSU Alerts different from the County and other Governmental Emergency Notification Systems?

 PSU Alert is solely operated by PSU, and is not connected to the county’s alert system. Each county has its own emergency alert system that allows them to send urgent information based on your address. In the Portland-Vancouver Metro Area, these alerts are known as PublicAlerts. We recommend signing up in all counties where you live, work, go to school, and play. If you change your address or contact information, remember to log in and update your accounts in each county where you signed up.

How do I register for PSU Alerts or update my contact information?

PSU students, faculty, and staff must opt in to receive PSU Alert messages via text or personal email. To register or update your information by clicking here:

• Students: Log into myPSU, select "My Account," and update your contact information.
• Employees: Log into Banweb, select "Personal Information," then "PSU Alert Emergency Notification System," and update your contact information.

Important notes: All @pdx.edu email addresses are automatically enrolled and cannot be removed. Text notifications cannot be sent to international numbers at this time

Can I receive PSU Alerts on multiple devices?

Yes. You can register multiple phone numbers and email addresses to receive PSU Alerts on different devices, such as your personal phone, work phone, or multiple email accounts.

Can I register my Google Voice phone number?

You can enter a Google Voice number to receive phone calls but NOT text messages. The system we use for text message notification cannot send text messages to Google Voice numbers. If this feature becomes available, it will be announced to the PSU community.

Can I register with an international number?

Not at this time. The tool used for PSU Alerts cannot send phone calls or text messages to international numbers. If this feature becomes available, it will be announced to the PSU community.

Can someone not affiliated with PSU receive PSU Alerts?

Yes, in certain cases. This can happen in two ways:

1. External Partners: External partners working or managing operations in PSU-managed buildings can be added to the system by filling a External Partner PSU Alert Sign Up Form.
2. Family/Spouses: A PSU student or employee can add a family member’s email or phone to their alert preferences as an additional contact.

Can visitors or guests receive PSU Alerts while on campus?

While visitors and guests are not automatically included in PSU Alerts, they can stay informed through the PSU website, PSU’s social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), and announcements made by campus officials during emergencies. 

I don’t have a cell phone or use text messages. How will I get PSU Alert messages?

PSU Alert messages are sent to multiple modes to try to reach as many people as possible. In addition to text messages, PSU Alert message may be sent via the following modes:

• Email: All @pdx.edu email of current employees and students will receive the PSU Alert message. You can also subscribe a personal email account to receive PSU Alert messages.
• Website - Pdx.edu: All alerts are posted as a banner on top of the main webpage. 
• Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
• Local Media: In many cases PSU will inform local media of PSU Alert messages (e.g. campus closures)

How do I unsubscribe from PSU Alerts?

You might receive an alert even if you are not affected. Or you might receive more than one alert. This can be frustrating, and you might want to opt out of receiving all future alerts. You cannot unsubscribe from receiving PSU Alerts at your @pdx.edu email. However, you can adjust other contact methods (text, voice, personal email) by following the registration instructions above. We strongly recommend staying subscribed to all alerts, as they provide potentially life-saving information.

To update your preferences, see the "How do I register" instructions above.

Important Note: The Higher Education Opportunity Act requires that the University notify you in the event of an emergency. Therefore, pdx.edu emails are automatically added to the system and cannot be removed from the system.

How do I close my PSU Alert account?

As long as you have an active ODIN account, your @pdx.edu email address is automatically subscribed to receive PSU Alert messages and cannot be unsubscribed. You can update your other subscription information via myPSU (under the Personal Information tab).

I’m taking a break from PSU or transitioning roles. Do I need to re-subscribe?

That depends. Taking time off or changing your role (e.g. previously a student, now an employee) will not impact your subscription. During the time period when you are not an employee or student, your information will not be included in the PSU Alert system and you should not receive PSU Alert messages. However, when you return as an employee or re-enroll in classes, your PSU Alert profile will be reactivated with the original contact information that you provided. If your contact information changed in the interim, please update your subscription. Regardless of your situation, it's a great idea to just double check your subscription.

What should I do when I receive a PSU Alert?

When a PSU Alert is sent, it indicates an imminent threat or emergency situation. Upon receiving an alert TAKE ACTION as your safety may depend on it. Additional messages may be sent with updates as the situation evolves.

1. Do NOT ignore the alert!
2. Do NOT go to the location of the incident.
3. Follow instructions as provided, such as “shelter in place” or “evacuate immediately,” until you receive an “all clear” message.
4. Share the message information with those around you.

Who receives PSU Alert messages?

All PSU students and employees receive PSU Alerts via their @pdx.edu email addresses. Students and employees may also opt in to receive alerts via additional methods, such as text and non- pdx.edu emails. 

*Note: for the purposes of the PSU Alert system, “student” is defined as individuals enrolled for the previous, current, or next term, excluding anyone who has graduated unless they are enrolled for the current or next term.

How do I know a PSU Alert message is official?

Official PSU Alerts will come from one of these sources. Save these as contacts to recognize official alerts. We encourage you to set these numbers up as contacts on your phone to ensure that you recognize incoming PSU Alert messages.

• Text messages come from short codes like 231-77 or 630-79
• Emails from psualert@notify.pdx.edu or psualert@pdx.edu

Note: Alerts from other institutions in the area may be sent using the same text message short codes, so be sure to read the message content to confirm the sender.

How quickly will I receive a PSU Alert once it’s sent?

PSU Alerts are sent immediately once an emergency is confirmed by PSU Emergency Management or the Campus Public Safety Office (CPSO). However, delivery times may vary based on your cellular provider, device settings, and network conditions.

I received a PSU Alert, but I am not on campus. Why?

PSU Alerts get sent to all registered PSU community members, even if you are not on campus during the emergency. You might not be personally affected by every emergency. But others may be in danger, and they will need info. While this may seem unnecessary, it can keep you informed about emergencies that may affect others in the PSU community.

I received many versions of the same alert. Why?

If you’ve registered multiple phone numbers or email addresses, you may receive duplicate alerts on each one. This ensures the message reaches you but could result in receiving the same alert several times.

I missed a PSU Alert message. How can I access it?

If you miss an alert, check your @pdx.edu email, or visit PSU’s website and social media. Website banners typically expire after 24 hours. You can also call PSU’s main line at 503-725-3000; select option 4 for recorded updates, if any.

I signed up for the system, but didn't receive recent messages. 

There are several possible reasons for not receiving PSU Alerts.

• Not Opted In for Text Messages / Emails: You must sign up or “opt-in” to receive PSU Alerts via text or non pdx.edu email. Many people have not signed up and will not receive these alerts.
• Incorrect Number Registered: The mobile number entered may be incorrect.
  • Log into  myPSU (students) or Banweb (PSU employees) and double check that your number is entered correctly.
  • The number should include the area code and your 7-digit phone number. You do not need to include a "1" before the area code.
  • You can enter the number with or without characters (e.g. 5037253000, (503) 725-3000, and 503-725-3000 all work equally well).
  • International numbers are not supported.
• Not Connected to the Cell Network: Cell phones that are not connected to a cell network will not get these alerts. That includes phones that are turned off, in “Wi-Fi only” mode, in "airplane mode," or in an area without cell service.
• Number Provided is Not Text Enabled: The mobile number entered into the system is not text-enabled.
  • Land lines and  VoIP (e.g., Google Voice) will not receive text messages. 
  • If your mobile phone is not text-enabled or blocks text messages, or if your service plan does not include text messages, you will not receive PSU Alerts.
  • To check if either situation is the case, please contact your carrier.
• Recently Subscribed: You entered / updated your subscription information more recently than the last system update. The PSU Alert system is refreshed daily, at 5am.

I received an Alert but Did Not Sign Up. Why?

There are several reasons why you may receive PSU Alerts even if you didn’t sign up:

• Automatic Enrollment: All @pdx.edu email addresses are automatically enrolled in the PSU Alert system. You may receive alerts through this email even if you didn’t manually register.
• Processing Time: If you recently updated your subscription preferences, please note that changes can take up to 48 hours to process.
• Third-Party Registration: It’s possible that a student or employee registered you for the system. We recommend checking with them if you believe this is the case.