RIT Alert

Public Safety, or in rare cases, University Communications, activates RIT Alert when there is a need to communicate to the entire campus community about a significant emergency or dangerous situation. There are several communication channels that can be activated:

• Alert beacons and marquees located in academic, residential, and service buildings
• Yellow or red banner across the top of all RIT webpages
• Posts to the RIT Facebook page and @RITtigers X account
• Text messages to mobile phones from the number 893-61 (Note: DO NOT use this number to report an emergency.)
• Phone calls and/or voice messages to mobile phones and/or landlines from the number 585-475-3200 (Note: DO NOT use this number to report an emergency.)
• Email from ritalert@rit.edu
• Computer lab screensavers

RIT uses a layered approach to notify the campus community about emergencies. After an initial alert from RIT Alert, follow-up information may be provided through RITmail, social media channels, the RIT website, or local media. We will also send follow-up messages with RIT Alert at a designated interval until an “all clear” message is sent.

Learn more about RIT’s emergency communication methods

All faculty and staff, including adjunct faculty and RIT temporary employees, are automatically opted in to the RIT Alert system. Contact information is taken from workday.rit.edu. You can update your contact information or add secondary contact information.

To update your contact information:

1. Go to workday.rit.edu and log in with your RIT username and password.
2. Click on your profile picture at the top right of the page.
3. Click "View Profile."
4. On the left-hand side of the page, click "Contact." If Contact is not a default option in the left-hand menu, click the "More" link to reveal it.
5. Click "Edit" and select "Change My Home Contact Information."
6. Update as needed, then click "Submit."

Keep your contact information up to date so RIT can communicate with you about important university business, including academic, administrative, billing, and emergency notifications. 

Your primary mobile and home phone numbers are managed in the Student Information System (SIS). You can also add a secondary mobile phone number through start.rit.edu for RIT Alert notifications.

Note: A home phone is different from a mobile phone. Be sure to update each phone number in the appropriate location.

Update your primary mobile or home phone number

1. Go to infocenter.rit.edu.
2. Click Student Information System (SIS) and log in with your RIT username and password.
3. Select Personal Information.
4. Select Contact Details.
5. Under Phone, select the + icon to add a phone number. 
6. Under Type, select Cell/Mobile (or another phone type) and enter your phone number.
7. Select Save.

To edit or remove an existing phone number, select the phone number under Phone, make your changes, and select Save.

Add or update a secondary mobile phone number for RIT Alert

1. Go to start.rit.edu.
2. Click the RIT Alert Preferences and log in with your RIT username and password.
3. Add or update your secondary mobile phone number.
4. Click Save.

You may choose to opt out of the RIT Alert system at any time. If you opt out, you will not receive notification to your mobile or landline phone, or your RIT email, from RIT Alert about emergency or dangerous situations on campus.

To opt-in or opt-out:

1. Go to start.rit.edu.
2. Click on “RIT Alert Preferences” and log in with your RIT username and password.
3. Select Opt-in or Opt-out for RIT Alerts.
4. Click “Save RIT Alert Info.”

RIT Alert is periodically tested throughout the year. Upcoming tests will be communicated ahead of time via RITmail and News and Events. Some or all communication channels may be activated during tests, including but not limited to the RIT website, social media, and mobile and landline phones. An “all clear” message is also send at the conclusion of the test.

If you did not receive a call or text to your mobile or landline phone during a test, it may be because you have opted out of the system, or your contact information is missing or incorrect. Faculty and staff can update their contact information via myinfo.rit.edu, and students can update their contact information in the Student Information System (SIS). You can opt back into the RIT Alert system through start.rit.edu.