Emergency Communications
In the event of a campus emergency, OSU Center for Health Sciences may use a variety of tools to communicate to the campus and the public. Depending on the nature of the emergency, OSU Center for Health Sciences may use all or some of the following:
Cowboy Alert
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for Cowboy Alert to receive text and voice notification in the event of an emergency. Notifications may be sent for events including:
- Campus intruder
- Weather-related closings
- Active shooter
- Acts of terrorism
- Biohazard threats
In a situation deemed an emergency, OSU Center for Health Sciences officials will send a text message to registered members of the OSU Center for Health Sciences community with information regarding the event and how they should proceed.
Log-in to Your O-Key Account to Subscribe to Cowboy Alert
Choose "Emergency Contacts" on the menu to the left to add your contact information. Please allow one business day for your request to be processed.
Other Emergency Communication Methods
- Siren System: Sirens are tested at approximately noon every Wednesday, weather permitting
- PA System: Campus buildings have PA systems that can alert those in the building of an emergency situation and provide response details
- E-mail: Mass e-mails may be sent to the entire campus providing notification and directions during an emergency
- Social Media: Official OSU Center for Health Sciences Facebook and Twitter pages will be used to provide updates on campus closures or emergency situations.
- Local Media: The Office of External Affairs will work with local media, radio, television, newspapers, to help announce and update campus closures or emergency situations.
- Weather Radios: Various offices across campus have weather radios that provide the latest severe weather information.
- Calling Trees: Many university departments and organizations have call trees in place to notify their employees and students of an emergency situation.