UMBC Alerts

All students, faculty, and staff can update emergency contact information anytime to receive information about campus closures and emergencies.

What are UMBC Alerts?

UMBC uses Omnilert, an automated mass-notification system, that allows us to message thousands of people very quickly.  Omnilert can deliver alerts to your mobile phone, your E-mail, your desktop or laptop computer screen, to the UMBC Police Facebook page, and to select digital signage around campus.  You must opt-in to receive alerts via test message (SMS) and E-mail, and you can opt-out of Omnilert at any time.  Learn more about receiving alerts by visiting the Subscriber FAQ webpage.

We want to ensure the information we send is correct, especially in emergency situations where we want people to take action quickly.  The goal is to balance speed with accuracy so that people get the right information at the right time to make the right decisions about their personal safety and security.  You can expect to see test alerts to ensure Omnilert can reach everyone in the UMBC community.  Also expect alerts for incidents involving:

UMBC students, faculty, and staff can sign-up or update emergency contact information here.

There are two tabs at the top of this webpage:  SERVICES and GROUPS.  Be sure to click on LOG OUT after making your updates.

  • On the SERVICES tab, you can sign up for text messages and E-mail alerts.
  • On the GROUPS tab, you can see available alert groups.  Some groups are PRIVATE and only an administrator can add you.  You can opt-in to any Selected Groups available.  Currently the available selected groups are:  
    • Power Outages:  Opt-in to receive notification of campus power outages or blips.
    • Traffic Alerts:  Opt-in to receive campus traffic or construction updates.
    • Transit Alerts:  Opt-in to receive alerts about UMBC Transit operations.

Visitors to UMBC can also register for temporary alerts using this link.

Visitors to the UMBC campus can provide their contact information in order to receive temporary emergency alerts during their stay with us.

  • You will be asked to provide an expiration date for your visit when you will no longer receive these alerts.
  • Your UMBC sponsor must also provide you with a GROUP NAME to register for temporary alerts.

On the SERVICES tab, please ensure you have at least one domestic U.S.* text-enabled cell number added to Omnilert so that you can receive text message (SMS) alerts.  This is the fastest way to provide vital information impacting your safety and security. 

  • *Omnilert cannot send alerts to international phone numbers.
  • You can add a maximum of two phone numbers.
  • You will need to identify your carrier for each phone number.
  • You will also need to validate each phone number.  Omnilert will text you a validation code.  Enter this code on the sign-up webpage.
  • You can inactivate, delete, or add new numbers at any time.
  • Text message (SMS) alerts are limited to 160 characters so we always try to keep these alerts very short.
  • If an alert exceeds this limit, the test message (SMS) will include a website link to Omnilert that will show you the full message.

On the SERVICES tab, add your UMBC and any personal E-mail addresses.

  • Omnilert will text you a validation E-mail.
  • You must click on “VALIDATE” in the E-mail before the address will be active.  This will open a new browser window that should confirm “Validation Successful.”
  • If you do not receive a validation E-mail, make sure to check your spam/junk folder and try clicking resend.  Also try adding no-reply@omnilert.com to your contacts list.
  • You can inactivate, delete, or add new E-mails at any time.

Download Alertus client software for your Windows or Apple desktop or laptop here.

  • UMBC faculty, staff, and students can download the Alertus client.
  • Alertus will only work while your desktop or laptop is logged on to the UMBC network.  You will not receive alerts on your machine when you are logged off the UMBC Network.
  • If you need assistance with the Alertus client, visit the DoIT Help Page to initiate a new help request.

There are several different “Admin Roles” in Omnilert that determine the features and settings each administrator can access.