UK Police to conduct test of updated UK Alert system Oct. 16
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 15, 2025) — The University of Kentucky Police Department’s Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness will conduct a test of the UK Alert emergency notification system at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.
This is a scheduled test of the new UK Alert system, which will soon be integrated with the SafeZone app — enhancing how the university communicates during emergencies and improving overall campus safety.
When the test occurs, members of the UK community will receive a message stating:
“This is a test. The UK Police Department is conducting a test of the UK Alert system. Please complete the survey at go.uky.edu/UKAlertSurvey.”
The test will activate all available alert methods, including:
- Text messages, phone calls and emails
- Digital signage, Cisco phones and indoor speakers
- Desktop notifications and outdoor Blue Emergency Tower speakers
- The UK website (uky.edu)
- Push notifications via the SafeZone app
- University X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts
Important Reminder: Faculty and Staff UK Alert enrollment
Beginning Nov. 1, faculty and staff who wish to receive UK Alert phone call and text messages must download the SafeZone app and register with a valid cell phone number. The traditional MyUK opt-in option will no longer be available.
- Students will be automatically enrolled to receive phone call and text alerts.
- All students, faculty and staff will continue to automatically receive UK Alerts via their uky.edu email addresses.
- For more information, visit go.uky.edu/SafeZoneApp.
Phone call and text alerts remain optional for employees and you can opt in any time before or after Nov. 1. However, employees are encouraged to download and register in the SafeZone app prior to the Oct. 16 test to ensure they receive alerts through their preferred communication methods.
For questions or concerns regarding this test, contact the UK Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness at CMP@uky.edu.
Supervisors are asked to share this information with staff members who may not have regular computer access.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.