SMU Aware

SMU Aware is SMU's system for alerting students, staff, and faculty in the event of an emergency or threat on campus. 

Explanations of a SMU Alert, SMU Warning, and SMU Advisory is as follows:

  • A SMU Alert is an emergency notification of an incident that is currently occurring on or imminently threatening the campus.
  • A SMU Warning is notification of Clery crime(s) that occurred with the SMU Clery geography and is considered by the institution to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees.
  • A SMU Advisory may be issued when an incident or crime has occurred and may affect members of the campus community, but an emergency notification or timely warning is not required.

The following systems may be utilized to communicate emergency information and procedures to campus constituents:

  • Outdoor Warning Sirens (controlled by the City of University Park)
  • Indoor Notification System (Main Campus Only)
  • Email notification to SMU email account (smu@aware.smu.edu)
  • Text message to cell phone (sender short codes include 226787, 67283, or 78015)
  • Audio message to a cell phone or other telephone
  • www.smu.edu/aware
  • @SMUAware on X, Facebook, and Instagram
  • SMU Information Line (214) 768-INFO
  • Push notifications (SMU Aware app)

All initial messages will provide a brief description of the emergency type and protective actions to take. When additional information is available a text may be sent to direct students, staff, and faculty with further instructions. The information you receive may caution you to avoid certain areas of the campus, let you know if classes are canceled due to an emergency, or provide vital information on what actions you need to take if you are on campus during such a situation.

Notifications are given to the entire community due to the size of the campus, the frequency of movement within the campus by community members, and the concept of keeping the entire community aware of significant emergencies.

If you receive a SMU Alert, SMU Warning, or SMU Advisory please share the information immediately.


SMU Parents may receive updates via text by texting "SMUParent" to 226787. SMU’s primary focus is that of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It is not our intent to exclude you, but to minimize the potential of delaying messaging to those immediately impacted by the threat.

During an emergency, please refrain from contacting the SMU Police and other SMU departments. It is essential that the telephone system be available for emergency communications. Additionally, during an emergency, individuals will not likely be available to answer the phone as these resources will be focused on the safety our students and managing the emergency.

In the event of a critical incident, SMU will communicate pertinent information parents as soon as possible. In the event of a severe University crisis, the University will provide you with up-to-date crisis information by one or more options previously identified as an SMU Alert modality.
To add or update your SMU Alert contact information, please log in to My.SMU and select the Personal Information box. Scroll to Phone Numbers and select Change Phone Numbers. Add or update your number and select your Mobile number at the Preferred phone type, then select Save. The following day your mobile number will be added/updated in the SMU Alert system.