UK Alert test to take place Oct. 15
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 13, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Police Department’s Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness will conduct a TEST of the campus emergency notification system, UK Alert, 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.
The UK Alert system will issue a university-wide message saying, “UK ALERT: This is a test of the UK Alert system. This is only a test. Please complete the survey at go.uky.edu/ukalertsurvey.”
This is an opportunity to test all alert methods through the emergency notification system: text, email, phone calls, digital signage, Cisco phones, indoor speakers, desktop notification, outdoor speakers (Blue Emergency Towers), the UK website (uky.edu), the SafeZone app (push notification), as well as the university’s X and Facebook accounts.
Important reminder regarding UK Alerts
To opt into phone call and text alerts, faculty and staff must now download the SafeZone app and register with a valid cell phone number, rather than opting in via myUK. Students who provide a phone number in myUK will be automatically enrolled in phone call and text alerts.
All students, faculty and staff will continue automatically receiving UK Alert to their UKY email addresses.
Phone call and text alerts remain optional for employees and they can opt in any time. Employees are encouraged to download and register in the SafeZone app prior to the test to ensure they receive alerts through their preferred communication methods.
Employees who have not downloaded and registered with the SafeZone app should not expect to receive a phone call or text alert during this test.
More information can be found at go.uky.edu/SafeZoneApp.
All members of the campus community shaould take a moment to review emergency preparedness and response information. Additionally, following the test, take this short survey.
Your safety is one of our most important priorities at the University of Kentucky.
A critical element in ensuring the safety of our community is a continual willingness to test ourselves and our capabilities. Preparedness is the best form of prevention.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this test, contact the UK Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness at CMP@uky.edu.
If you are a supervisor, please communicate this information to your staff, especially those without 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 healthcare. 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 $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.