By: Catherine Spicer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – September 1, 2026

The University of Arkansas is launching a new RazALERT website that will serve as a hub for updates on the university’s operating status, emergency alerts, and other updates. 

The site, alerts.uark.edu, will also serve as the primary source for updated information during situations that are a safety threat or may impact campus operations. 

RazALERT was previously used for active threat emergencies, but the updated policy expands the type of messages that will be considered RazALERTs. RazALERTs can range from active threat emergencies that require immediate action from campus as well as non-emergency alerts for things such as severe weather planning. 

Jessica Post, emergency manager for the University of Arkansas Police Department, said that how the messages sent to students are classified has changed. 

“Now we call all alerts from our emergency notification system, no matter what they are, they are called a RazALERT,” Post said. “alert.uark.edu is a way for not only our campus community, but people outside of our campus community to see what emergency notifications have been through our RazALERT system.” 

The new site and RazALERT changes are part of several enhancements the university has implemented since last year’s swatting incident. Other revisions include updated Avoid, Deny, Defend education and training as well as refining message templates and processes. 

John Thomas, director of media relations for University Relations, said that the new website will help clarify messaging sent to students.

“We are hoping that this will become an easier system for our campus to know what is going on,” Thomas said. “I think last year’s swatting incident kind of highlighted the gaps that there were maybe across campus.” 

Photo Credit: University Relations