Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to UB Alert text messaging, emergency messages will be provided to faculty, staff and students using official campus communication channels including this website (emergency.buffalo.edu), the campus-wide UB Alert listserv, UB's home page, the MyUB portal, UB Now, 716-645-News, the Guardian app, the UB Alert X feed (formerly known as Twitter) and UB Facebook pages. Local television and radio stations may also be contacted by the university to communicate during emergencies or weather-related events.

In addition to UB Alert text messaging, emergency messages will be provided to faculty, staff and students using official campus communication channels.

Who can subscribe to UB Alert text messaging and email messaging?

What do I need?

How does it work?

Who can subscribe to use this service?

Any student, staff, or faculty member of the UB community with an "@buffalo.edu" e-mail account (your UBITName plus "@buffalo.edu") can register.

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Can I subscribe using my "@facilities.buffalo.edu" or "@business.buffalo.edu" account?

No. You must use an "@buffalo.edu" e-mail account to register. Many departments use an additional identifier in their email accounts, such as "@facilities.buffalo.edu" and "@business.buffalo.edu" to channel email. But all UB community members have a UBITName, and you must register for UB Alert with your "UBITName@buffalo.edu" account.

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Do I need to sign up my @buffalo.edu address?

No, there is no need to register your "@buffalo.edu" e-mail address. UB Alerts will always reach ALL @buffalo.edu accounts through the campus-wide UBAlert Listserv. You only need to register any additional email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo!) or cellphone numbers so UB Alerts reach your preferred addresses.

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Can I register for this service if I am located on campus, but I am not a UB student, staff, or faculty member?

Only UB community members with a "UBITName@buffalo.edu" e-mail address can register directly for UB Alert. UB Alert is only one of several communication and information sources utilized at UB. There are a number of other sources for emergency information, including this website, the Guardian app, X.com (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and the 645-News campus information line. Local radio and television media may also be contacted by the university to communicate during emergencies or weather-related events.

However if you are a manager of a UB contracted service, contact us and we may be able to include you.

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I am a parent. Can I register for this service?

Only university community members with an active UB email address can opt-in for UB Alert. We use these messages to quickly contact people who might be directly impacted by an emergency.  Although parents cannot create their own account, parents can still receive alerts by their student registering their parent's devices in their account. Students can enter additional email addresses and additional cellphone contacts for each account.

Please do not call our police switchboard!

During emergencies or significant changes to normal schedules and activities, the emergency.buffalo.edu website (this site) will be updated with situation details and any additional instructions. This information is available to everyone and we encourage you to monitor this website for these details. 

Additionally, we frequently post UB Alerts to our X.com feed (formerly known as Twitter) and you may find it handy to follow us there (@UB_Alert #uBuffalo #ub_alert).

And, during a larger emergency we are prepared to activate an emergency call center which can disseminate information.  This telephone number will be posted on emergency.buffalo.edu (this website) when it is activated.

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What happens if I transfer or leave the University at Buffalo?

You will need to cancel your account in UB Alert (see below).  If you are having difficulty closing your account, contact us.

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What happens when I graduate?

Your account will be removed from the system several months after you graduate.

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What if I'm interested in this service, but I don't have a cell phone/text messaging capabilities?

You must have a cellphone to register for text messages, however you can still add additional email address (Gmail, Yahoo!). Also know that the university has in place a variety of channels to communicate with students, faculty and staff during an emergency, including this website, the Guardian app, X.com (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and the 645-News campus information line. Local radio and television media may also be contacted by the university to communicate during emergencies or weather-related events.

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Does it matter who my cell phone provider/carrier is?

The following U.S. cell phone carriers will work with our text messaging system: Alltel, AT&T/Cingular, Boost Mobile, Cellular One of Dobson, Cellular Systems, Cincinnati Bell, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Syniverse (Tier-3 carriers), Verizon, Virgin Mobile, and U.S. Cellular. Some prepay or minutes cell phone plans may not work with the text messaging system. Also, some smartphone Verizon plans may not allow you to register. These issues are currently under review.

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What if my cell phone provider changes?

If you change your mobile number, you will need to edit the mobile number in the UB Alert (Rave) system. If you keep the same mobile number, and simply change cell phone provider, you do not have to change anything.

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What if my cell phone number changes?

You will need to access your account in the UB Alert (Rave) system and edit your mobile number.

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What are the benefits of subscribing?

Timely notification of any UB emergency situation or critical message through cellphone text messages and email addresses in addition to your regular "@buffalo.edu" account.

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What types of messages/information will I receive?

You will receive messages during emergencies, incidents that may affect your personal safety and when adverse weather conditions affect normal campus operations.

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Who sends the messages?

UB’s Emergency Response Team, including designated associates of University Police and University Communications, will send the text, email and Guardian app messages.

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Under what circumstances are messages sent?

UB Alert messages will be activated and implemented following guidelines set forth in the university's emergency plan.

How often will I receive messages during the semester?

The frequency of messages is determined by the number of emergency situations or critical incidents. In addition, the university runs one test of the system each semester.

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Is there a cost for this service?

There is no charge for this service, but message and data rates may apply. Text messages are sent on an as-needed basis. This service is provided per Rave's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Opt out of SMS messages by texting STOP to 67283 or 226787, or by changing your account settings on the Rave website. For additional help contact UBitHelp@buffalo.edu.

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How do I cancel?

Although we do not recommend terminating this messaging, you can cancel your account in the UB Alert (Rave) system as follows.  (Please note that students, faculty and staff who have an active affiliation with UB cannot be removed from receiving alerts to their @buffalo.edu email accounts.)

TO LOG IN:

1. Point your web browser to: https://www.getrave.com/login/buffalo

2. Enter your buffalo.edu email address as your Username.

3. Enter your password. This is NOT the same as your UBIT password.

TO REMOVE YOUR ACCOUNT:

1. After logging in, click the "My Account" tab.

2. Click the "Edit" link to the right of the "Rave Account" heading.

3. Click the "Delete Account" link at the bottom of the page and follow the directions provided.

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Is there an easy way to suspend this service while I'm on holiday or studying abroad?

You can suspend the text messages by logging into the UB Alert (Rave) system. However, you will still receive email notifications from the UB Alert email listserv, which includes all UB faculty, staff and students.

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If I don’t/can't register for this service through a cell phone or smartphone, where else will I receive emergency notification?

If you don’t/can't register for UB Alert through a cell phone or smartphone, you will still receive emails at your "@buffalo.edu" account, as well as this website, the Guardian app, X.com (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and the 645-News campus information line. Local radio and television media may also be contacted by the university to communicate during emergencies or weather-related events. 

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I thought cell phones were not allowed in classrooms. How am I going to receive important text messages?

Due to the new emergency messaging initiative, the disruption in the classroom policy is being reviewed to include an allowance for the instructor or designated member of the class to keep their cell phone activated; however, the designated person must have registered to receive alerts.

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Will I receive test messages?

Each semester, UB will test our messaging network to ensure proper operation and functionality in the event of an actual emergency or critical message broadcast.

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Will my sign-up information be shared with third parties?

No. Your e-mail address and cell phone number will not be provided to organizations outside of UB.

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When I edit my profile in this service, I see "Your Preferred Email address may not be the same as your Registration Email address."

UB Alert uses your "@buffalo.edu" e-mail address for your profile, but do not enter it again as your preferred email address. UB Alerts will always go to the campus-wide UB Alert Listserv, which reaches ALL @buffalo.edu accounts. You only need to register with the UB Alert (Rave) system to add additional email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo!) or cellphone numbers for text alerts.

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Can I register more than one cell phone number?

You may register up to two cell phone numbers.

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I see that I can “create a channel” with this service. How do I add a channel?

Use of additional channels and groups is a future function of our system. Although it appears information can be added on the “create a channel” pages from the website, entries are not being saved or reviewed at this time.

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Who do I contact for help?

If you need assistance with Rave or UB Alert, contact ubithelp@buffalo.edu.

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