UO Alert! - Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for UO Alert! text messages?
To participate in UO Alert! text notification follow the instructions below.
- Log into DuckWeb (http://duckweb.uoregon.edu)
- Select the “Personal Information” menu
- Select the “Enter/Update Emergency Alert Phone” link
- Enter your text-enabled cell phone number, including area code and then hit “Submit”
Your "@uoregon.edu" email address will automatically be included in the system for email messages. Also, at this time, the system is unable to send text messages to international cell phone numbers.
I am having trouble logging on to DuckWeb. How can I get help?
If you have previously logged on to DuckWeb, try the "Forgot PAC" option. If that does not work, you'll need to go in person to Human Resources to have your PAC reset. Human Resources is located on the 4th floor of the Peace Health North Building, 677 East 12th Ave. (corner of Hilyard and 12th).
Is the UO Alert! system tied to the Blackboard course management system?
No. the UO Alert! system and the course management system are two separate systems that the university maintains. UO Emergency Management & Continuity maintains the UO Alert! system and the Library maintains the course management system.
Do I need a specific carrier or to install software on my phone?
No. TheUOAlert! system uses industry standard SMS text messaging protocol to send messages to your text-enabled cell phone, regardless of your carrier. Your cell phone plan will need to accept text messages to work properly.
How do I know that I've received an official UO Alert! text message?
All UO Alert! text messages will come from either 23177 or 63079.
You can create a contact in your cell phone's address book with these numbers and "UO Alert" so that the caller id will read "UO Alert" for future text message alerts.
A UOAlert! text message might look like this:
What do I do when I receive a UO Alert! emergency notification?
The UO Alert! message will give you information about the emergency and instructions for what to do, such as “shelter in place” or “evacuate”. Follow the instructions provided in the text message.
If you are in class, tell the instructor about the message so that he/she can announce it to others. If you are in your office, share the information with your co-workers as it is safe to do so.
Check the UO Homepage or ALERTS page to get more information on the situation. Please DO NOT call UODPS Dispatch or 9-1-1 for more information. Call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing a life threatening emergency and need immediate assistance or is you have information that is pertinent to the emergency.
Additional information about the emergency may be found in the following places:
- The UO Homepage: www.uoregon.edu
- The UO Emergency Management & Continuity Program's ALERTS page: alerts.uoregon.edu
- In an e-mail sent to your “@uoregon.edu” e-mail address
Can I change my cell phone number once I’ve entered it?
Yes. Once you’ve entered a cell phone, you can go back and update that number in DuckWeb at any time. To update your number, follow the instructions below.
- Log into DuckWeb (http://duckweb.uoregon.edu)
- Select the “Personal Information” menu
- Select the “Update Emergency Alert Phone” link
- Enter your text-enabled cell phone number, including area code and then hit “Submit”
Can parents sign up for UO Alerts!?
Not at this time, though other options are available. UO Alerts! are only for students, faculty, and staff. Parents can locate emergency information on the UO Homepage, UO Emergency Management & Continuity Program website or ALERTS webpage, or through local media outlets. In addition, emergency information is distributed through the UO Parents Association email list.
Can I register a cell phone with an international telephone number?
Not at this time. The system we are using for text notification does not support the ability to text to international numbers. This may become an option in the future. We will provide a field in DuckWeb for you to register your cell phone number when that service becomes available.
I signed up for the system through DuckWeb, but didn't receive the recent test text message or other recent launches.
There are several potential reasons for not receiving the text message. Please review the following possibilities and remedies.
- The phone number entered into DuckWeb may be incorrect. Log into DuckWeb 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.
- The phone number entered into DuckWeb is not a cell phone with texting capabilities.
- Landlines cannot receive text messages. If you entered a landline phone, including VoIP, it will not receive the UOAlert! text message.
- If your cell phone is not text-enabled / blocks text messages or your service plan does not include text message, you will not receive the UOAlert! To check if either situation is the case, please contact your carrier.
- You entered your phone number more recently than the last system update.
The UOAlert! system is refreshed weekly, on Monday mornings, with all registered phone numbers.
How do I unsubscribe (remove myself) from receiving emergency notifications?
Individuals can only unsubscribe from the text notification component of the emergency notification system. UO email addresses are automatically added to the system and cannot be removed from the system.
To unsubscribe to the text message portion of the system:
- Log into DuckWeb (http://duckweb.uoregon.edu)
- Select the “Personal Information” menu
- Select the “Update Emergency Alert Phone” link
- Delete you number from the phone field and hit "Submit".
I don’t have a cell phone or use text messages. Is UO Alert! the only way the University will deliver emergency messages?
No. UO Alert! is one of many ways the University provides notifications about emergencies, including Smart Classroom alerts, university home page (www.uoregon.edu), UO Emergency Management & Continuity Program webpage (emc.uoregon.edu/) or ALERTS webpage (alerts.uoregon.edu/), e-mail, campus radio and local media.
The goal is to communicate emergency information in many different ways to ensure that the most people receive notification as quickly as possible.
I have a UO-issued cell phone, will that number be automatically added to the UO Alert! system?
No, the new Blackboard system is automatically populated from Banner which does not currently include UO-issued cell phone numbers.
If your UO-Issues cell phone is part of a “duty” or “on-call” rotation, contact your supervisor to ask if the numbers are included in UOAlert! or contact the Emergency Management Program at (uoem@uoregon.edu).
Will the UO Alert! system be tested?
Yes. The UO Alert! system will be tested two times per year to verify subscriptions to the system and to ensure that the system is working properly.
I don’t want to get unnecessary text messages. Will UO Alert! be used to send other kinds of information?
No. UO Alert! will only be used to notify you about real emergency situations and campus closures.
Does UO Alert! cost anything to use?
There is no charge to receive UO Alert!. However, your cell phone carrier might charge you to receive text messages, so please check your plan. If you have a plan for unlimited text messages, you will not be charged.
How is UOAlert! different than the Lane Council of Government’s Community Emergency Notification System “CENS Alert-Me”?
The systems operated by the university and the Lane Council of Governments are separate and unconnected, with the county’s program tied to its reverse 911 phone system.
The UO’s Emergency Management & Continuity Program recommends that faculty, staff and students register for both, so they can be alerted to emergencies at home and on campus.
The county’s CENS program previously made automatic calls to land-line telephone users in areas affected by emergency situations – from missing child alerts to tsunami warnings. In June 2011, the Lane County expanded its Community Emergency Notification System (CENS) with the addition of its “Alert Me” program for cell phone and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) users. Cell phone and VoIP users can now register on the CENS Alert Me website to receive the same service by voice or text messages, based on the users’ street addresses.