Critical information when you need it.
UTRGV Alerts are an accessory to the Emergency Alert Notification and official UTRGV email communications.
Please check this page for the most current information during a disaster, crisis, or threat affecting our campus community.
UTRGV Alerts
Previous UTRGV Alerts / Notifications
- Check your registered contact information — particularly mobile phone number — to ensure you get messages from UTRGV’s Emergency Mass Notification System. Employees use PeopleSoft and Students use ASSIST.
- Visit our Ready UTRGV site for critical resources that can help you prepare and protect yourself, loved ones, and property.
- Communicate with your supervisor(s) and/or instructor(s) and implement an alternative work plan, if necessary.
- Check utrgv.edu/alerts for supplemental updates and resources.
- Look for official notifications from UTRGV’s Emergency Mass Notification System on your mobile phone, UTRGV email, and UTRGV’s Facebook and X pages.
- Monitor the National Weather Service and local media (TV, radio news stations, and newspaper sites) for real-time information related to the storm.
Dear Campus Community:
UTRGV officials continue to closely monitor Hurricane Beryl, which may bring strong winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding to our region by Sunday. We will continue to provide daily updates, including any impact the storm may have on UTRGV operations.
What should I do before the storm hits?
- Check your registered contact information — particularly mobile phone number — to ensure you get messages from UTRGV’s Emergency Mass Notification System. Employees use PeopleSoft and Students use ASSIST.
- Visit our Ready UTRGV site for critical resources that can help you prepare and protect yourself, loved ones, and property.
- Communicate with your supervisor(s) and/or instructor(s) and implement an alternative work plan, if necessary.
- Check utrgv.edu/alerts for supplemental updates and resources.
- Monitor the National Weather Service and local media (TV, radio news stations, and newspaper sites) for real-time information related to the storm.
Sincerely,
Office of Emergency Management
Dear Campus Community:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for coastal and inland portions of Kenedy, Willacy, and Cameron Counties, as well as the Laguna Madre and Lower Texas Coastal Gulf Waters. Several days of heavy rain are expected throughout the Rio Grande Valley starting today (Tuesday, June 18) with potential flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly draining areas, through Thursday, June 20. If your home or property is at risk of flooding and you need sandbags, UTRGV officials recommend contacting your local government officials to verify if sandbags are still available and where you can find them.
While the University will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 19) for the Juneteenth holiday, all other classes and operations are currently unaffected by this weather and expected to take place as previously scheduled. However, UTRGV officials are monitoring this system and will communicate any updates as needed.
What should I do before a storm hits?
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Check your registered contact information — particularly your mobile phone number — to ensure you get messages from UTRGV’s Emergency Mass Notification System. Employees use PeopleSoft and Students use ASSIST.
- Visit our Ready UTRGV site for critical resources that can help you prepare and protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property.
- Communicate with your supervisor(s) and/or instructor(s) and implement an alternative work plan, if necessary.
REMINDER:
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Look for official notifications from UTRGV’s Emergency Mass Notification System on your mobile phone, UTRGV email, and UTRGV’s Facebook and X pages.
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You will receive SMS/Text messages and emails if UTRGV closes campus facilities or cancels classes.
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Also check for emails from the Office of the President or University Marketing and Communications via UTRGV Announcements (announcements@utrgv.edu).
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Check utrgv.edu/alerts for supplemental updates and resources.
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Monitor the National Weather Service and local media (TV, radio news stations, and newspaper sites) for real-time information related to the storm.
Sincerely,
Office of Emergency Management
Dear Campus Community:
UTRGV officials are monitoring a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that may bring rain and potential flooding to our region by mid-next week. Operations are currently unaffected and will resume as scheduled. However, university officials will communicate any updates as needed.
What should I do before a storm hits?
- Check your registered contact information — particularly your mobile phone number — to ensure you get messages from UTRGV’s Emergency Mass Notification System. Employees use PeopleSoft and Students use ASSIST.
- Visit our Ready UTRGV site for critical resources that can help you prepare and protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property.
- Communicate with your supervisor(s) and/or instructor(s) and implement an alternative work plan, if necessary.
REMINDER:
- Look for official notifications from UTRGV’s Emergency Mass Notification System on your mobile phone, UTRGV email, and UTRGV’s Facebook and X pages.
- You will receive SMS/Text messages and emails if UTRGV closes campus facilities or cancels classes.
- Also check for emails from the Office of the President or University Marketing and Communications via UTRGV Announcements (announcements@utrgv.edu).
- Check utrgv.edu/alerts for supplemental updates and resources.
- Monitor the National Weather Service and local media (TV, radio news stations, and newspaper sites) for real-time information related to the storm.
Sincerely,
Office of Emergency Management
Important notification from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
BROWNSVILLE PD CONTINUES THEIR INVESTIGATION OFF CAMPUS ALL CLEAR FOR BROWNSVILLE CAMPUS.
Important notification from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
STILL ACTIVE CRIME SCENE CONTINUE TO AVOID AREA AROUND BROWNSVILLE CAMPUS.
Important notification from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
BROWNSVILLE PD HAS SECURED A CRIME SCENE NEAR THE CAMPUS STILL ACTIVE INVESTIGATION PENDING FURTHER UPDATES.
Important notification from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
There will be heavy police presence near the Brownsville Campus. Please stay away from the area and shelter in place. You will receive an updated notification when the area is clear.
Dear Campus Community:
The UTRGV Police Department issued an Emergency Alert Notification early Sunday, April 7, advising everyone on the Edinburg Campus to shelter in place due to reports of armed subjects in the area.
We want to assure you that this precautionary measure was taken in response to the incident handled by the City of Edinburg Police Department north of our campus. During this incident, two armed subjects were reported to have fled the area southward.
Upon receiving this information, UTRGV PD initiated a shelter-in-place warning at approximately 6:02 a.m. Over the next hour, as the search continued, three reinforcement messages were sent to ensure everyone remained informed and safe. At approximately 7:40 a.m., an all-clear message was issued as the two subjects were apprehended by the Edinburg PD.
We understand that incidents like these can be unsettling, and the safety of our campus community remains our top priority. We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone for their cooperation and vigilance during this time.
If you are not receiving UTRGV’s Emergency Alert Notification, we urge you to sign up by following these steps. Doing so ensures that you stay informed in case of any future emergencies. Additionally, those steps outline how to update your contact information or opt out of receiving alerts, if necessary.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to protecting our campus community.
Sincerely,
Office of Emergency Management
Sunday, April 7, 2024 | UTRGV NOTIFICATION OF HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE
The City of Edinburg Police Department has apprehended the two outstanding subjects. The shelter-in-place has been removed. Edinburg Campus has been cleared.
Sunday, April 7, 2024 | UTRGV NOTIFICATION OF HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE
Edinburg police Department is still currently looking for the Armed Subjects from an incident that occurred near the campus. Please continue to stay away from the area and continue to shelter in place. You will receive an updated notification when the area is clear.
The City of Edinburg Police Department advised they are currently looking for two male subjects one subject was seen wearing a grey shirt and the other wearing a white shirt. Please stay away from the area and continue to shelter in place. You will receive an updated notification when the area is clear.
Edinburg Police Department advised one subject was seen wearing a grey shirt and the other wearing a white shirt. Please stay away from the area and continue to shelter in place. You will receive an updated notification when the area is clear.
There will be a heavy police presence at Edinburg Campus. Edinburg police Department is currently looking for Armed Subjects from an incident that occurred near the campus. Please stay away from the area and shelter in place. You will receive an updated notification when the area is clear.
Thursday, March 14, 2024 | RESOLVED: Altercation involving Firearm in Harlingen
Dear UTRGV Community,
Earlier today, UTRGV Police responded to an altercation involving a firearm in the parking lot of the Harlingen VA Outpatient Clinic, which is next to the UTRGV Clinical Education Building. Out of an abundance of caution, UTRGV Police ordered all persons in the area to shelter in place during the search for the suspect.
Since then, UTRGV Police have confirmed that the firearm was not discharged and that the suspect was apprehended near McAllen. Police also confirmed that neither the suspect nor the victims were affiliated with UTRGV. Normal activities resumed at the UTRGV Clinical Building in Harlingen around 10:20 AM.
Your safety and well-being remain our top priority. UTRGV’s Office of Emergency Management website contains detailed procedures on what to do during many scenarios, including active shooter situations. All students, faculty, and staff should be familiar with these procedures and utilize them when facing these threats.
As a reminder, the UTRGV Alert page is an accessory to the Emergency Alert Notification and official UTRGV email communications. That page may contain supplemental information during a disaster, crisis, or threat affecting our campus community.
We are grateful for the swift action of the UTRGV Police Department, and the assistance provided by other law enforcement agencies and emergency services. Thank you for your continued vigilance and support in keeping our campus safe.
Sincerely,
UTRGV Office of Emergency Management
Thursday, March 14, 2024 | SHELTER IN PLACE LIFTED
UTRGV PD has confirmed that the suspect is no longer in the area. The shelter in place for our Harlingen Campus has been removed and all buildings have been cleared. Please note that this is still an active investigation.
Thursday, March 14, 2024 | SHELTER IN PLACE
UTRGV Police have been responding to an altercation involving a gun that took place in the parking lot of the Harlingen VA Outpatient Clinic adjacent to the UTRGV Regional Academic Health Center.
Law enforcement agencies could not locate the suspect upon arrival to the scene. However, out of abundance of caution, UTRGV Police have ordered all UTRGV students, faculty, staff, and visitors in the area to continue sheltering in place as the search continues.
9:44 AM - Continue to shelter in place, heavy police presence searching all buildings and surrounding areas, further instructions to follow.
9:20 AM - Continue to shelter in place, heavy police presence searching all buildings and surrounding areas
8:59 AM - UTRGV Harlingen Campus: SHELTER IN PLACE. Heavy police presence. Possible armed intruder reported. Update to follow.
As always, please check your UTRGV email, UTRGV Alert, and UTRGV social media channels (Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram) for updates regarding any changes to university operations and services.
January 16, 2024
Dear Campus Community,
Due to inclement winter weather and icy road conditions throughout the region, UTRGV will delay opening until 10 a.m. today (Tuesday, January 16).
Students
All classes and activities will be delayed until 10 a.m. If you have a class or activity that begins before 10 a.m., it is canceled. All students are advised to stay in close contact with faculty members for the latest updates regarding their missed coursework. Faculty members will work with those students to ensure the continuity of their coursework.
Employees
Only UTRGV employees designated as essential by their supervisor should access the workplace before 10 a.m. If you are unsure of your essential status, please contact your supervisor.
If necessary, please record any missed work time on your timecard as Emergency Leave Due to Inclement Weather. If you have any questions, please discuss with your supervisor, or contact hr@utrgv.edu.
UT Health RGV
UT Health RGV medical facilities will also delay opening until 10 a.m. All employees and students associated with our medical facilities should report at 10 a.m.
Transportation
UTRGV transportation services (Vaquero Express buses and VOLT) will begin operating at 9 a.m. To receive real-time updates and information regarding the transportation routes, please download the RideSystems app or follow transportation services on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Stay Informed. Stay Safe.
University officials will continue to monitor weather conditions, and any change to the operations schedule will be shared through email, the emergency notification system, on UTRGV Alert, and on UTRGV’s Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram accounts.
All UTRGV community members are advised to stay informed through local weather and news outlets.
January 15, 2024
Dear Campus Community,
As a reminder, in-person classes and operations will resume tomorrow (Tuesday, January 16) as regularly scheduled.
Stay Warm. Stay Safe.
If going outdoors, be sure to dress warmly in layers and cover exposed skin. Take extra care and precautions when driving.
Check your UTRGV email and UTRGV social media channels for updates or alerts regarding changes to campus operations and services.
January 12, 2024
Dear UTRGV Community,
All MLK Day of Service events, which were originally planned for January 15, 2024, have been postponed due to inclement weather. The Center for Student Involvement will provide details about potentially rescheduling for future dates/times.
As a reminder, UTRGV will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and will reopen on Tuesday, January 16, for the start of spring classes.
Stay Informed
All UTRGV community members are advised to stay informed about this emerging weather event through local weather and news outlets as the situation develops.
University officials will continue to monitor weather conditions, and any change to the operations schedule will be shared through email, the emergency notification system, on UTRGV Alert, and on UTRGV’s Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram accounts.
January 12, 2024
Dear Campus Community,
An arctic blast is expected to hit Deep South Texas between Monday, January 15, and Tuesday, January 16, bringing strong winds and freezing temperatures that may last through the morning of Wednesday, January 17.
UTRGV will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, we will be open as planned for the start of spring semester classes on Tuesday, January 16.
Stay Warm. Stay Safe.
If going outdoors, be sure to dress warmly in layers and cover exposed skin. Take extra care and precautions when driving.
Check your UTRGV email and UTRGV social media channels for updates or alerts regarding changes to campus operations and services.
Emergency Notifications
In the event that an emergency or natural disaster might impact any of our campuses or clinical locations, the entire campus community will be notified as prominently as possible through several means of communication.
This includes:
- UTRGV ALERTS
- UTRGV Homepage
- Desktop Notifications
- Fire Alarm Systems
- UTRGV Social Media pages (Facebook and X (formerly Twitter))
UTRGV Alerts
Students, faculty, and staff are automatically opted in to UTRGV ALERTS which are sent to your UTRGV email and mobile number listed in university records (Assist for students and PeopleSoft for faculty and staff).
If you change your mobile number or are not receiving test alerts conducted monthly, please log into Assist (student) or PeopleSoft (faculty and staff) and update your number.
- To opt out of the text UTRGV ALERTS, text STOP to 89361.
- If you opted out and want to resume the text UTRGV ALERTS again, text RESUME to 89361.
Guests, parents, and contractors can sign up for UTRGV ALERTS by texting UTRGVALERTS to 888777. You will receive a confirmation and welcome text.
- To opt out of receiving the alerts, text STOP to 888777.
- UTRGV ALERTS will be provided by text only.
UTRGV Homepage
A banner with a message and link to the emergency notification will appear on the top of the homepage.
Desktop Notifications
UTRGV desktop PC’s connected to the University network will display a pop up window with the emergency notification.
Fire Alarm Systems
Fire Alarm systems comprised of audible and visuals devices within a building are used to alert occupants of a potential fire emergency within a building. Alternatively, a fire alarm system may be used by first responders to evacuate a building.
Social Media
Emergency messages are also posted on the University’s official Facebook page, which can be viewed by everyone. In some situations, Facebook may be the quickest place to find updated information.
Messages are also sent through the University’s official X account (formely Twitter) @UTRGV.
FAQs
When University Police or Campus Safety and Security determines there is an active emergency in which the life safety of the campus community may be at immediate risk.
Examples are:
- When a person actively shooting a weapon is on the loose.
- When a tornado or a severe thunderstorm with expected winds greater than 70 miles per hour is predicted to impact a campus area.
- When a major hazardous material spill or other high-risk emergency impacts a large portion of campus.
As a regional, multi-campus university and with our campus community routinely traveling in between campuses, we alert our whole campus community to avoid anyone potentially traveling into danger.
Go to your contact information in Assist (for students) PeopleSoft (Faculty/Staff). Make sure your cellphone number is in the Mobile field.
Check with your cellphone provider to ensure they are not blocking short code texting.
If you opted out and want to resume the text emergency notifications again, text RESUME to 89361.
Students, faculty, and staff can only opt out of the text UTRGV ALERTS. To opt out, text STOP to 89361.