Alert Carolina updates text messaging system, only 'urgent' and 'critical' crime alerts to be sent

UNC’s campus-wide emergency notification system Alert Carolina was updated to only send alerts marked as "urgent" or "critical" via text message.

Crime alerts labeled as “urgent”, such as violent crime, will reach students through a text notification, in addition to an email and the Alert Carolina website. Adverse conditions warnings that require the campus to change operating status will be labeled “critical” and similarly sent out to students.

A campus-wide email sent on Aug. 9 announced the changes.

The Alert Carolina system is required by the Jeanne Clery Act, which was adopted in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. The law aims to create an atmosphere of transparency on college campuses by requiring universities to report crime data for on-campus incidents in a timely manner. Universities also must publicly outline any efforts made to increase campus safety.

There are four types of alerts sent out through the Alert Carolina system: emergency warnings, crime alerts, notices of adverse conditions and informational messages. 

“Once we determine based on the information we receive that it warrants a notification to our campus community, we will issue that out without delay,” Darrell Jeter, director of Emergency Management and Planning at UNC, said. 

Jetersaid that the Clery Act is intentionally vague in its definition of "timely." For crime alerts and notices of adverse conditions, Jeter said UNC treats "timely" as meaning "as soon as pertinent information is available to send."

Kaylin Privette, a senior at UNC, said the alerts are a useful tool for raising awareness among students and cited alerts of on-campus sexual assault and COVID-19 clusters. She also said they are helpful in deterring similar crimes but would be more effective if they were sent out promptly. 

"It is good information," Privette said. "Don't ignore them. If you see something, pay attention, make a note."

UNC junior Akyra Forney expressed concern for crimes that occur outside of the boundaries that Alert Carolina operates within, since many students reside off-campus.  

Jeter said that while the Clery Act has requirements and regulations that affect the speed at which crime alerts and notices of adverse conditions can be sent out, emergency warnings differ. 

“Anytime campus safety personnel confirms that there is an active emergency or threat on-campus, then they without delay will authorize activation of the system,” he said. 

The University's warning sirens are tested three times per year to ensure the equipment is functioning properly in the event of an emergency. 

Jeter said they are constantly working to improve the system as new technology emerges. 

“If there is an evolving technology that will help improve and enhance our ability to push those notifications out, we certainly want to look into those and see whether or not that will be feasible to incorporate those into our system,” he said. 

He also noted that text messages are a way to get important information to the UNC community without those on the receiving end having to put in much effort.  Information on how students can register to receive alerts via text is on the Alert Carolina website. 

“Continue to be informed, be prepared, take action, share feedback with us — and we look forward to an effective, successful year welcoming our students back to campus,” Jeter said. 

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