News

What is happening? We will be testing the University’s campus-wide emergency communication system. 

When is this happening? Tuesday, January 28 at 2:15 p.m.                                              

What is the impact? Emergency communication channels being tested include: 

• Tweets to @UWaterloo and @WatSAFEapp 
• WatSAFE mobile app 
• The ‘WatSAFE Desktop Notification’ on-screen pop-up for desktops and laptops 
• Portal alerts and push notifications 

Messaging: The message displayed will read “TEST of the UW Emergency Notification System. During an actual emergency or threat you would receive instructions. No action is required.” More information regarding the emergency would be available at alert.uwaterloo.ca. 

Approximately 15 minutes after the test activation message is sent, a deactivation message will display, “The test of the UW Emergency Notification System is complete.” 

In the event of a real emergency during this test, please contact Police Services at 519-888-4911, or ext. 22222. 

Be sure to install the WatSAFE app on your device and WatSAFE Desktop Notification tool on your desktop/laptop to receive this test message, and more importantly, to stay informed of campus emergency situations. Visit the WatSAFE website for more details. 

Questions or concerns? Please contact the IST Service Desk, helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca or ext. 44357. 

What is happening? The Mac version of the new WatSAFE Desktop Notification tool (announced in August) is now available.

What is happening? We will be testing the University’s campus-wide emergency communication system. 

When is this happening? Thursday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m.                                              

What is the impact? Emergency communication channels being tested include: 

• Tweets to @UWaterloo and @WatSAFEapp 

• WatSAFE mobile app 

• The ‘UW Emerge’ on-screen pop-up for desktops and laptops 

What is happening? The University’s current emergency desktop notification tool, UW Emerge, will be replaced with a new tool called WatSAFE desktop notification.

Why is this happening? The existing desktop notification tool was developed by University employees several years ago, and while it has worked well in the past, IST no longer has the inhouse resources to modify and fully support the tool. Also, the new macOS no longer supports 32-bit applications, a change that prevents new users from downloading UW Emerge to their Mac machines.

What is happening? We will be testing the University’s campus-wide emergency communication system. 

When is this happening? Tuesday, May 21 at 10:45 a.m.                       

What is happening? We will be testing the University’s campus-wide emergency communication system. 

When is this happening? Thursday, January 31 at 10:00 a.m.                                              

What is the impact? Emergency communication channels being tested include: 

• Tweets to @UWaterloo and @WatSAFEapp 

• WatSAFE mobile app 

• The ‘UW Emerge’ on-screen pop-up for desktops and laptops 

• Skype for Business Instant Messages 

What is happening? We will be testing the University’s campus-wide emergency communication system.

When is this happening? Monday, October 22 between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.                                             

What is the impact? Emergency communication channels being tested include:

What is happening? We will be testing the University’s campus-wide emergency communication system.

When is this happening? Tuesday, May 29 between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m.                                             

What is the impact? Emergency communication channels being tested include:

Effective Monday, April 4 campus emergency alerts will no longer be sent via SMS (text messsage). Download the WatSAFE app to stay informed of campus safety and emergency situations.