SMS/Text Messaging FAQ

Q: How do I opt-in to receive text messages from Central Alert?

A: As a student, faculty or staff member you can opt-in by providing a text-enabled, text message phone number through UCONNECT. Look for the "My Central Alert" option within the "Central Alert - UCO Emergency Notification System" portlet.

Q: What happens after I sign up (opt-in) for text messaging through UCONNECT?

A: After you sign up online, the Central Alert service will automatically send a text message to your mobile phone to confirm your request. This occurs during the hours between 12am - 8pm CST.

Q: What will the confirmation message say?

A: This will depend on who your carrier is. For all carriers other than T-Mobile the confirmation message will read the following:

UCO CENTRAL ALERT: You are now confirmed to receive alerts from us. More info text reply "HELP" or "STOP UCO" to opt-out.

For T-Mobile subscribers the message will say:

UCO CENTRAL ALERT: You must text reply Y UCO to confirm your desire to receive future SMS alerts. More info text HELP.

Q: From what number will these text messages display?

A: You will see 23177 as the text messaging number sending you the confirmation message and all subsequent messages. Please save this number and program it as UCO Central Alert so that you can quickly recognize this number as the official source of UCO's messages.

Q: How do I opt-out?

A: Login to UCONNECT to delete your Text Message phone number.

Q: If I sign up at night, when will I receive the confirmation message?

A: The confirmation messages are sent during the hours of 12am to 8pm, CST. Since we upload data into the Central Alert service at 2am daily, you should expect the confirmation request to arrive the following day.

Q: I did not receive a confirmation message. What happened?

A: Please check with your mobile phone provider to find out if your device accepts text messages. You may also want to check with your provider to see if text messaging has been enabled. You may need to subscribe to a text messaging plan in order to receive or reply to text messages.

Q: I did not receive a confirmation message because my phone wasn't text enabled. I have since contacted my mobile phone provider to enable it. Do I need another confirmation message sent?

A: No. If your SMS phone was already submitted to our database, you should be confirmed to receive SMS alerts from us. However, you may login to UCONNECT to confirm your enrollment.

Q: What if I opted-out but later decide I would like to opt-in again?

A: You may request to begin receiving text messages again by reinstating your SMS phone number through UCONNECT.

Q: If I change mobile phone providers but keep the same number, do I need to opt-in again?

A: No. Once your phone number has been opted-in, it stays registered within the system.

Q: What if my information is not registered with UCO, but I want to receive alerts anyway? Can I text 23177 to subscribe to the services?

A: No, you will not receive messages.