The University utilizes several different mediums to notify GW students, staff, faculty, and community members of emergency situations and safety-related information. The Office of Emergency Management partners with internal and external units, including External Relations, Division of IT, and DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, to provide several emergency communication systems. This page includes tools used by the University to notify the community, however, notifications can come from many other sources, including residence hall staff, GW Police Department, University employees or District officials.
GW Campus Advisories - The principal method the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the University leadership use to communicate incident related information to the GW community.
Students, faculty, and staff use this web site to stay informed about:
- Changes in university status;
- Adverse weather conditions;
- Important issues concerning safety; and
- Anything else that may disrupt normal operations.
GW Alert Text Message and Email Alert- GW Alert is an emergency communication system that will send important notifications, alerts and updates directly to your e-mail address and mobile device. Student, faculty and staff members are automatically been registered to receive email alerts through their GW email address. To update your contact information and add your mobile device, visit https://banweb.gwu.edu. For more information view the GW Alert FAQs on Campus Advisories.
GW Alert Desktop Alert - A desktop alerting system for both Windows and Mac-based computers. University computers managed by the Division of IT are equipped with this program. For individual users, GW Alert is available for free (download here). When an alert is issued, scrolling text will appear at the bottom of your screen, along with an alert tone.
Twitter/Facebook -Selected GW Campus Advisories posted to the university's Twitter account and Facebook status.
GW Information Line @ (202) 994-5050 - A recorded information line, the 4-5050 line provides a brief voice message regarding the university's status and any pertinent information.
Blast Email - Blast emails provide notification and/or advice for incident preparation and are sent to the GW community.
Alert DC - An emergency notification system maintained by the District of Columbia's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) that provides email and/or phone text alerts.
Media Outlets - The University may contact local media outlets with emergency information, such as weather-related delays and closings. You may choose to visit WTOP, NBC4, The Washington Post or The Hatchet, among other local or campus media outlets.
If you are looking for Incident Team communications guidance, please contact the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at oem@gwu.edu. |
