(photo by Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels)
Published: October 31, 2023
By Communications Staff
On Nov. 1, the University of Toronto launched a new version of its rapid notification system UTAlert, which provides campus-wide updates such as safety messages, notices of building evacuations and snow closures. To ensure you receive alerts on the new system, visit the UTAlert webpage on or after Nov. 1 to manage your subscription.
“The UTAlert upgrade will allow us to share important information with our tri-campus community more quickly and effectively,” said Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture. “We need everyone’s assistance in making this transition as seamless as possible.”
The upgrade is part of the University’s larger strategy to continuously reassess and improve the university’s procedures, resources and tools. As Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students notes, identifying the right tool for the right task is essential in an emergency or emerging situation.
“We’re all very connected to our phones,” Welsh says. “A text is often the best and fastest way to reach someone.”
Community members are also encouraged to download UTAlert’s Alertable app, also available on the UTAlert webpage, which provides useful emergency information, including advanced tools such as hazard notifications and location-specific details.
A range of safety resources
In addition to UTAlert, U of T has a comprehensive set of tools and resources to keep the community safe. These include the Campus Safety App with functions such as live chat with the Campus Safety Office, TravelSafer for monitoring routes on campus and Mobile Bluelight, which sends on-campus locations to the Campus Safety team.
In addition to these tools, the university’s Campus Safety team operates 24/7 to maintain a safe and secure environment. “Our team is available around the clock to respond to emergencies and assist anyone,” says Ron Saporta, Acting Vice-President, Operations. “We're here to help, no matter the time or reason.”