Emergency Notification System

Cal State San Marcos is committed to protecting the safety of our campus community. Recent events have shown the need for timely dissemination of information in emergencies such as acts of violence, natural disasters and other unpredictable incidents. The University employs a range of methods to assist us in alerting the campus to emergency situations as quickly as possible. Emergency alerts are reserved for critical incidents that pose an imminent threat to the health and safety of the University community.

In the event of a campus emergency, University Police will provide important information to the campus community via our Emergency Notification System.
The CSUSM emergency notification system allows University Police to send important information and instructions simultaneously to multiple numbers and devices via cellular phones, home phones, text messaging and e-mail.

Emergency Notification System - ENS

The system is designed to immediately communicate time-sensitive emergency alert notifications to the campus via a variety of delivery methods. The emergency alert system is reserved for critical incidents that pose an imminent threat to life, health and/or safety.

Emergency Notification System consists of the following components:

Desktop Alert

Desktop Alert allows the university send emergency alert notifications directly to University computers. When an emergency alert is sent, the message will be displayed prominently on your computer screen. We advise that you read the emergency alert and follow the recommended actions. The alert can be easily cleared from the computer screen by hitting the Acknowledge button. Note – the computer must be on to receive Desktop Alerts, desktop alert will not wake the computer to deliver the notification.

Outdoor Public Address Alert

The outdoor public address system consists of three (3) speaker sets located at Markstein Hall, Science II and The McMahan House. During campus emergencies a voice message will sound indicating an emergency is occurring on campus and what action should be followed. The system gives us the flexibility to broadcast emergency alerts via programmed messages within the Emergency Notification System or live public address from the campus Dispatch Center.

Digital Signage Alert

The University digital signage system is now equipped with emergency alert capabilities. Emergency alerts can now be broadcast via digital display devices which are located in many of the campus buildings and common areas.  

Text, Cellular and Email Alert

If you are a current Cal State San Marcos faculty, staff, or student, you are automatically registered in the Emergency Notification System utilizing your current contact information within the University PeopleSoft System. We strongly encourage everyone to please review and confirm that your contact information within PeopleSoft is up to date. It is important that you include a cell phone number in your MyCSUSM profile (must be listed as a mobile phone). Most people carry cell phones, which gives them the ability to quickly receive emergency alerts anywhere on campus.

During an emergency, alert messages are sent to registered cell phones via text message, cellular calls, registered home phones, and email addresses (note all campus email addresses are automatically registered). Please listen and/or read the alert and follow the recommended action.

If you prefer to not be included in the text, cellular and email portion of the Emergency Notification System, you may opt out your personal contact information. If you choose to opt out, you will not receive first response notifications via your personal email and personal phone numbers (cellular phone, text, home phone). Campus email addresses will continue to receive emergency notifications.

Opting In/Out of the Emergency Notification System

• Opt Out - Forms/ Electronic Submissions
• Opt In (if you are not a current CSUSM Student, Employee or individual with a @csusm.edu email account to receive emergency notifications)

Campus Lockdown

The emergency Notification System gives UPD the capability to lock down all buildings or a single building, depending on the type of emergency and/or situation. In a lockdown scenario, all buildings on campus would be locked until the situation is deemed safe and an all-clear message is communicated.

Kellogg Library Alert

Our campus library is equipped with an indoor public address system which is linked into our Emergency Notification System. During an emergency the library indoor public address system would broadcast a voice message indicating an emergency occurring on campus and recommended action.

Building Fire Alarms

Building fire alarms are in place to notify building occupants of potential fire dangers. If you hear the fire alarm, EVACUATE the building immediately.