The University utilizes the TCU Alert System to notify the Horned Frog community of an emergency, weather-related closure or delay. TCU Alert is a mass communication program that includes phone, text and email communication, as well as indoor and outdoor loudspeakers, and emergency lighting on campus. TCU will post similar information that is distributed on the TCU Alert System on tcu.edu and share with local media outlets, as necessary.
TCU Alert pulls from an internal database maintained by the University for faculty, staff and students. This information may include home phone numbers if students have added a parent or family member’s phone number in their contact information. Inclusion in a student’s contact information is the only way a parent may receive an emergency alert, parents do not have individual records within the system.
If you believe you have received a TCU Alert in error and would like to request that your name be removed from this emergency notification system, please click the link below, complete the form and submit for review. Please note that you cannot remove yourself from the system. The process may take up to two weeks and you will be notified of the outcome.
The TCU Alert System is activated for weather-related emergencies as follows:
Full TCU Alert sent via text, phone and email:
- When a tornado warning is issued for the campus
Targeted outdoors special event notifications (e.g., move-in, football games):
- When wind speeds reach 70 mph or above
- When hail is 1.5 inches in diameter
- When the campus PerryWeather Lightning Detection System indicates dangerous lightning in our area
Weather can change at any time, so be sure to monitor local news reports via television, radio or the Internet.
TCU parents, neighbors, contractors, and others can opt-in to receiving emergency alerts via TCU Alert.
Long-Term Guests: Text TCULONG to 226787 for ongoing alerts until you opt-out
Short-Term Guests: Text TCUSHORT to 226787 for a 5-day subscription
*Students, faculty, and staff are automatically enrolled in TCU Alert
TCU periodically tests its mass emergency communication system to ensure everything works as intended and that the campus community stays familiar with the process. During a test, all communication methods – text, phone, email and campus loudspeakers – deploy in rapid succession, just as they would in a real emergency. You may receive multiple notifications within seconds. Tests typically last about two minutes, and no reply or confirmation is required.
Why does TCU test the system?
Regular testing confirms the system is functioning correctly and helps ensure the campus community recognizes and understands TCU Alert messages.
What should I expect during a test?
You’ll receive text, phone and email messages in quick succession, and loudspeakers across campus will broadcast the test message. The audio will note that it is only a test.
How long will the test last?
About two minutes.
Why did I receive a TCU Alert?
TCU Alert uses contact information stored in the university’s internal database for students, faculty and staff. This may include home or cell phone numbers. If you received a TCU Alert and are not affiliated with TCU, you may request removal at removalrequest.tcu.edu. Only individuals who received an alert in error are eligible for removal. Review may take up to two weeks.
How do I update my contact information?
Students, faculty and staff can update their contact details by visiting my.tcu.edu → My Employee Center or Student tile → Personal Details → Contact Details.
I’m a parent and want to stop receiving alerts. What should I do?
Parents receive alerts when their student lists a parent phone number as their “home” number in their TCU record. Students can update or remove that number in their own contact information settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
TCU Alert is a mass notification program that sends messages concurrently from TCU to the TCU campus community through multiple channels, including phone, text and email, in addition to indoor and outdoor loudspeakers and emergency lighting across campus.
TCU tests its emergency communication system once each semester, with very clear language that it is only a test. If there is a life-threatening emergency, the text, phone and email message will begin “TCU Alert:” followed by instructions for what you should do. An indoor/outdoor speaker system may also be activated with a hyper-spike sound followed by, “This is a TCU Alert,” and will continue with instructions for what you should do. The message will follow the ‘L.E.S.S. is More’ format and notify you with instructions.
L.E.S.S. is More is TCU’s emergency response notification plan that communicates what to do in a variety of emergency situations that could happen on campus. The TCU Alert will let you know which response is needed for each case. L.E.S.S. is the acronym for the three responses you will need to know to mitigate damages and save lives:
- Lock Down
- Evacuate
- Seek Shelter
Follow the instructions stated in the TCU Alert, which will provide as much information as is available at the time from authorities at the situation. Some emergency alerts are sent during rapidly evolving situations, and updates will be sent as available. The primary goal of the alert is to prevent injuries and loss of life in the event of an emergency.
- Lock Down – When this instruction is given, there is an active threat on campus. You must do one of the following: Run (if you know where the shooter is and you know you can get away), Hide (to stay hidden from the shooter’s view in a place that will provide protection) or Fight (if you cannot run or hide, prepare to fight the shooter if you are confronted). If you are outside when a Lock Down is in effect, you will be unable to enter any buildings on campus. Run to your car or a nearby business.
- Evacuate – When this instruction is given, you are to evacuate from the building and meet at the appropriate Rally Point.
- Seek Shelter – When this instruction is given, move to the lowest level of the building, away from exterior windows.
For all of the above, you should follow instructions from your residence hall director, resident assistants and building emergency coordinators, all of whom are highly trained to help keep people safe during a life-threatening emergency.
TCU Alert messages are instructions to keep the campus community safe during emergency situations. The goal is to provide direct, clear and brief messaging so that the community can read and act quickly to follow instructions. Reports from an emergency continue to evolve and develop, sometimes quickly, so it is important to follow instructions and wait for further information. The safety of the TCU campus community is the top priority.
Depending on the situation, follow up TCU Alert messages will follow approximately every 15 minutes to provide a status update, even if additional information isn’t available. You should stay where you are until a TCU Alert message instructs you otherwise.
TCU Alert will send an “All Clear” message once the emergency is concluded.
TCU Alert is used to announce a significant change in campus status, such as a weather delay or closing, to ensure everyone has the time-sensitive information they need to be safe. When there is no life safety information to be relayed, only the phone, text and email components will be used.
TCU Alert pulls from an internal database maintained by the university for faculty, staff and students. If a student has added a parent or family member’s phone number in their contact information (for home or permanent number), that number will receive a TCU Alert notification. The student is the only person who can add or delete information from their student records.
As a faculty/staff member or student, you may update your contact information by visiting my.tcu.edu, clicking on the My Employee Center tile (or Student tile), then Personal Details, then Contact Details. Locate your contact information to update cell, business or permanent/home phone numbers.