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Safety and Emergency Preparedness

NC State has a Responsible Behavior Initiative. As part of its mission, the education provided for students emphasizes responsibility to oneself and the community. Talk with your student about decision-making, expectations and general best practices for personal safety. 

Here are a few tips to highlight

  • Be aware of surroundings when walking at night
  • Communicate any suspicious activity with an RA or university administrator
  • Do not give out access codes for residence halls
  • Do not leave items unattended at any time
  • Do not prop doors open
  • Do not walk with headphones in
  • Always keep the door to your residence hall room locked
  • Lock your vehicle
  • Remain in well-lit areas
  • Report lost keys immediately
  • Students are required to register bicycles with NC State University Transportation (free of charge)
  • Take responsibility for personal safety and security

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency planning and preparedness are key to minimizing the impact of an unplanned event. For our students, NC State encourages them to make a plan and pack a bag!

Be Pack Ready

Have a communication plan in place with your student so you both know how you would communicate in the event of an emergency on campus.

Keep in mind that, without charge, cell phone batteries will go dead, so be sure to keep emergency phone numbers written down should you need assistance.

Consider where you would go if an emergency strikes and you have to leave your home. A personal emergency plan should have alternate locations in case your home is impacted. 

Pack a Bag

We recommend being ready to move quickly with an emergency kit (bag) and have the following supplies readily available in residence halls, apartments, homes and offices for the first 24 hours of an event or until normal conditions return: 

  • At least one gallon of drinking water
  • Blankets or sleeping bag
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight with batteries
  • Food for pets
  • Non-perishable food and can opener
  • Prescription medications and eyeglasses

More resources for Pack Ready Emergency Planning can be found online at https://go.ncsu.edu/packready.

Emergency Communications at NC State for Students

WolfAlert is NC State’s official emergency communication system. NC State takes the safety of its community very seriously and with the highest regard. In case of an emergency, different options are available for updates and directions. 

For students on campus, these WolfAlert communication options may be used:

Audible Alerts via Siren

Around campus, there are mounted speakers that send audible signals to widespread areas. Generally, these messages will be brief with specific instructions and direct listeners on how to stay up-to-date. 

Student Text Alerts

Your student has the ability to receive text messages to their cell phone with safety alerts. The message will be brief and contain safety instructions or details they need to know immediately. Your student should verify their contact number in MyPack Portal. 

Email Alerts

Broadcast emails are delivered to all official University email accounts containing your UnityID@ncsu.edu. 

Online Notifications

WolfAlerts may be posted on the NC State’s homepage at ncsu.edu and posted online via social media, such as Twitter.

Suggested groups to follow are @NCState@ncstateemmc, @ncsupolice and @NCStatePFS

Desktop Notifications

Alertus is a desktop notification software available to devices connected to the NC State network. The University can post emergency alerts to individual computers via Alertus. 

Emergency Information for Parents

WolfAlerts are designated for students, faculty and staff. Pack Parents and Families are encouraged to download the NC State On Campus app to receive notifications and emergency information. More information on WolfAlert and the app can be found at wolfalert.ncsu.edu.

Information about COVID-19

Thousands of NC State staff and faculty are striving to provide our students with a world-class education, and all the opportunities that come with it. To help the Wolfpack learn safely, we’ve made changes throughout campus. And we’re ensuring that everyone in our community understands their duty to take care of themselves and others.