More information will be posted here when it becomes available.
UPennAlert Emergency Notification System Updates
Change is coming to UPennAlert! But don’t worry, this change will not impact your ability to receive emergency notifications.
As part of a systems improvement effort, the University is changing its mass notification system provider.
You will still view and receive alerts in the same methods – via SMS text on your cellphone, via your Penn email, and posted on the DPS website. The posts may look slightly different, and the number which sends the UPennAlert will change.
What do I need to do?
In an effort to ensure a seamless transition, we ask that all affiliates confirm their UPennAlert contact information.
Students:
Update Your UPennAlert Contact Information at Path at Penn
Staff/Faculty/Postdocs/Temporary Workers:
Starting on August 5th, ensure your UPennAlert information is up to date in the new UPennAlert tab in Workday. You may continue making changes as needed in the Directory until end of day on August 4th.
(Instructions and Workday Tip Sheet coming soon!)
UPHS:
Continue to register via the UPHS Phone Book
Changes are coming!
Contact information:
- Faculty, staff, and postdocs will maintain their UPennAlert contact information in their Workday profile starting August 5, 2025. Contact information will automatically be migrated from the Penn Directory to Workday; until then, staff and faculty are encouraged to make changes as needed in the Penn Directory.
- Students will continue to maintain and update their UPennAlert contact information at Path at Penn.
- UPHS employees with continue to register and update their contact information through the UPHS Phone Book.
Alert Messaging:
- After August 5th, text messages received on your phone from the UPennAlert system will be sent from a different short code.
- The look of the UPennAlert posting on the Public Safety website will change. The text message will link you directly to the full alert content, as always.
Testing:
- The new system will be tested on August 6, 2025, at 12 p.m.
- First, you will receive an email notification in advance for awareness. Then, on the 6th, you should receive an email and, if you have a cellphone registered for UPennAlert, a text message.