Test of WFU emergency notification system

This is a TEST of the Wake Alert System. The test is being conducted to ensure that the emergency notification system is operating properly. Testing is being carried out by the University Police Department and the Office of Communications and External Relations. No action is […]


Test of WFU emergency notification system

This is a TEST of the Wake Alert System. The test is being conducted to ensure that the emergency notification system is operating properly. Testing is being carried out by the University Police Department and the Office of Communications and External Relations. No action is […]


Community Safety Advisory: Police Activity/All Clear

Winston-Salem Police have left the area around Polo Road, Brookwood and University Parkway. Police were responding to reports of a person breaking into vehicles and trespassing on personal property. If you have any information that might be helpful in this investigation, contact the University Police […]


Police Activity along Polo Road

Wake Alert/Urgent for Awareness: Wake Alert/Urgent for Awareness: Winston-Salem Police are responding to reports of vehicle break-ins and trespassing near Brookwood and University Pkwy. Canines are on site.


Wake Alert emergency update: WFU community may continue normal activity

The Wake Forest community may continue normal activity. Winston-Salem Police are not searching for the suspect on the Reynolda Campus. There is no indication that the suspect ran toward or entered campus. If any additional information impacting our community becomes available, we will send an […]


Police presence near campus

Wake Alert Emergency: There is police activity in the area of Reynolda Village Trails. Please avoid the area until further notice.


False report of shots fired on campus (update)

On Sunday night, April 9, the Winston-Salem Police Department alerted the Wake Forest University Police Department that they had received an anonymous report of shots fired in or near Reynolda Hall. WFUPD responded immediately to investigate the call. No other calls were received by Wake […]


False reports of shots fired on campus

URGENT: WFUPD has responded to reports of shots fired in Reynolda Hall/Benson area. NO SHOTS HAVE BEEN FIRED. No one has been harmed. No threat to campus.


WFU: Test of Emergency Alert Systems

This is a TEST of the Wake Alert System. The test is being conducted to assure that the emergency notification system is operating properly. Testing is being carried out by the University Police Department and the Office of Communications and External Relations. No action is […]


All clear after armed robbery on Long Drive

Four students were victims of an armed robbery that occurred on Long Drive this morning. No injuries were reported. Winston-Salem police have responded and there is no longer an immediate threat. Wake Forest students’ safety and security are the university’s top priority. Anyone with information […]


Dangerous Suspect

Wake Alert Emergency. Polo Rd and Long Drive. Dangerous suspect was reported. Seek shelter now. Close and lock doors and windows, if possible. Stay in place until further notice. If you are off campus, stay away. Police are responding. Our first priority is to ensure […]


Tornado Warning

Wake Alert Emergency. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area. Seek shelter now. Go to the lowest level of a building. Stay away from doors and windows. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of […]


Tornado Warning

Wake Alert Emergency. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area. Seek shelter now. Go to the lowest level of a building. Stay away from doors and windows. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of […]


WFU Test of Emergency System

This is a TEST of the WFU Wake Alert System. The test is being conducted to assure that the emergency notification system is operating properly. Testing is being carried out by the University Police Department and the Office of Communications and External Relations. No action […]


Voluntary Evacuation Area Reduced

As of 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, the city of Winston-Salem will reduce the voluntary evacuation area to a radius of one-eighth of a mile from 4440 N. Cherry Street. Faculty, staff and students who were displaced are now permitted to return to […]


Classes canceled for Thursday, Feb. 3, and Friday, Feb. 4

Following the University’s announcement today that classes and normal operations would resume tomorrow, we received additional information from students and families regarding the scope and degree of challenges faced by those displaced. This understanding has informed a decision by academic leadership to cancel classes on […]


Classes will resume in person on Thursday, Feb. 3

Based on updated safety information from emergency responders and city officials and after in-depth discussions among the University’s leadership, the Reynolda campus, Wake Downtown and Brookstown will resume in-person classes on Thursday, Feb. 3. Normal operations also will resume for staff. Students displaced by the […]


Classes canceled on Wednesday, Feb. 2

Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the continued disruption and displacement of students, faculty, and staff living in the voluntary evacuation zone, Wake Forest will cancel classes on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Staff who are not needed to support the evacuation effort […]


Update on fire and evacuation

On Monday evening, a fire at the fertilizer plant at 4440 N. Cherry Street in Winston-Salem led to the Winston-Salem Fire Department asking for the evacuation of residents living within a one-mile radius. Faculty, staff and students who reside inside that radius are encouraged […]


Update on this morning’s emergency alerts

Early this morning, the University received anonymous phone calls with shooting-related threats. An emergency shelter-in-place message was sent while University Police and Winston-Salem Police investigated the threat. At 5 a.m., an all-clear message was shared as the call was determined to be a hoax. It […]


Emergency Update message: All clear; shelter in place lifted

Early this morning an anonymous caller made numerous threats related to a shooting on Wake Forest’s campus. University Police and Winston-Salem Police conducted a thorough sweep of threatened buildings without finding any evidence to support the claims of the caller. Police believe the calls were […]


Emergency Update message

University Police and Winston-Salem Police continue to investigate the shooting threat to campus. Police are checking buildings. Continue to shelter in place until further notice. Call if you have any information to assist in this investigation. 336-758-5911.


Emergency Update message

University police and Winston-Salem Police continue to investigate the shooting threat to campus. Police are checking buildings. Continue to shelter in place until further notice. Call if you have any information to assist in this investigation. 336-758-5911.


Emergency Update message

University Police are working with the Winston-Salem Police Dept. to investigate a shooting threat. Anyone with information is asked to contact University Police at 336-758-5911. Due to the high volume of calls, DO NOT CALL UPD unless you have an emergency or information to report. […]


Shelter in place

Wake Alert Emergency: A THREAT HAS BEEN MADE AGAINST WAKE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY. POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING AT THIS TIME, PLEASE SHELTER IN PLACE. FURTHER MESSAGES TO FOLLOW.


Community Advisory Update

Earlier this morning, Winston-Salem Police Department officers found the body of a 74-year-old man on campus near Polo Road and Martin Residence Hall. There is no foul play suspected and no Wake Forest students, faculty or staff were involved in the incident. Because the incident […]


Test of Emergency Alert Systems

This is a TEST of the Wake Alert System. The test is being conducted to assure that the emergency notification system is operating properly. Testing is being carried out by the University Police Department and the Office of Communications and External Relations. No action is […]


Community Safety Advisory: Reports of drugs added to alcohol

Wake Forest is issuing this public awareness announcement about an issue of concern for the campus community. Wake Forest University Police have received three reports this semester alleging that a student was given a drink that had been drugged. The most recent incident was reported […]


Community Safety Advisory

Community Safety Advisory: Wake Forest is aware of the following incident in our surrounding community: Winston-Salem Police responded this afternoon to a report of a firearm discharged on Scholastic Court. The incident occurred off-campus, and there is no known Wake Forest student or faculty involvement. […]


Community Safety Advisory: Police investigating gunshots on Delmonte Drive

Wake Forest is aware of the following incident in our surrounding community: The Winston-Salem Police Department responded to a report of a firearm discharged into a truck parked near apartments on Delmonte Drive, off Polo Road. Police are reporting that they do not believe the […]


Community Safety Advisory

Wake Forest is aware of the following incident in our surrounding community: Winston-Salem police responded this evening to a report of a firearm discharged at the Whiskey Dog Bar on Brookstown Ave. The shooting occurred off-campus. No students were involved. Additional information will be shared […]


Update on Mount Tabor school shooting

Wake Forest Police remain in contact with local authorities who continue to search for the suspect in the shooting at Mount Tabor High School. There is no reason to believe there is any risk to campus. Campus will be updated should the risk in our […]


Mount Tabor follow up

Update: Harris Teeter is no longer the reunification point. Parents of Mount Tabor students will be notified. Wake Forest Police are in contact with local law enforcement. No reason to believe the suspect in reported Mount Tabor H.S. shooting is on or near campus. Remain […]


Shooting at Mount Tabor

A shooting has been reported at Mount Tabor High School, about three miles from campus. Please monitor WFU emails and local news sources as information develops.


Test of Emergency Alert Systems

This is a TEST of the Wake Alert System. The test is being conducted to assure that the emergency notification system is operating properly. Testing is being carried out by the University Police Department and the Office of Communications and External Relations. No action is […]


Update: Police are continuing investigation; no updates expected tonight

Winston-Salem police are continuing to investigate the robbery at the BP station on University Parkway. The suspects remain at large. No further updates are expected tonight. Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to contact Wake Forest University Police at 336-758-5911.


Dangerous Suspect

Wake Alert Emergency. 3050 University Parkway, Best Western. A dangerous suspect was reported. Seek shelter now. Close and lock doors and windows, if possible. Stay in place until further notice. If you are off campus, stay away. Police are responding. Our first priority is to […]


Test of Emergency Alert Systems

This is a TEST of the Wake Alert System. The test is being conducted to assure that the emergency notification system is operating properly. Testing is being carried out by the University Police Department and the Office of Communications and External Relations. No action is […]


Tornado Warning

Wake Alert Emergency. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area. Seek shelter now. Go to the lowest level of a building. Stay away from doors and windows. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of […]


Tornado Warning

Wake Alert Emergency. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area. Seek shelter now. Go to the lowest level of a building. Stay away from doors and windows. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of […]


Timely Warning: Rape reported

In order to promote safety on the Wake Forest University campus, the University is issuing this Timely Warning concerning a possible threat to the community. The Winston-Salem Police Department and the University Police Department are investigating an alleged incident of rape that was reported to […]


Crime Alert: Shot fired at University-owned house

The Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University police departments are investigating an incident tonight (Sept. 16) in which a bullet was fired into a University-owned house on Polo Road. None of the house’s occupants, all graduate students, were injured. Police believe the shot was fired at […]


Operating status normal

Wake Forest University is operating normally. Please visit Wake Ready for emergency preparedness information. This message will remain in place until the University’s operating status changes.


Public Awareness Announcement: Sexual Offense

UPDATE (9/5/19): Arrest made Wake Forest is issuing this public awareness announcement concerning a reported incident that may be of concern to the campus community. Winston-Salem Police are investigating a report of burglary and sexual assault at a private residence near campus on Wake […]


Crime Alert

Update (July 22, 2019): Arrest made Wake Alert crime alert announcement: At 7:06 p.m. this evening an unknown male exposed himself to a female student near Benson University Center.  He grabbed her arm and then fled on foot.  Wake Forest University Police are investigating. […]


Final Call Announcement

The Wake Forest emergency has ended. This is the final call. Resume normal activities


Tornado Warning

Wake Alert Emergency. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Wake Forest University until 1:15 a.m. on Monday, April 15. Seek shelter now. Go to the lowest level of a building. Stay away from doors and windows. Our first priority is to […]


Campus Phone Service Operating Normally

Phone service to Wake Forest University’s Reynolda Campus has been restored and is operating normally at this time. Additional outages may be possible if the University’s phone service provider continues to troubleshoot.  Information Systems encourages anyone who experiences further issues to report them by emailing help@wfu.edu or submitting a […]


Phone outage on campus

Wake Forest University’s Reynolda Campus is experiencing issues with landline phones on the campus network. Information Systems is looking into the issues with the service provider. Apparently, the issue affects a wider area in the city than just the campus. The University will provide an update […]


Campus water main break being repaired Thursday morning

Update: Water has been restored at the residence halls. Water will be restored at Wait Chapel by 4 p.m. Work is underway this morning to repair a water main break near Zick’s in the Hearn Plaza area.  At present, there is no water service to […]


Work underway to restore power to campus buildings

Work is underway Tuesday afternoon to restore power to several Reynolda Campus buildings.  A power outage occurred this afternoon in residence halls, part of ZSR Library and other buildings. Power has been restored, already, in some affected buildings.  Work continues on others. Buildings affected included […]


Reynolda Campus power outage

Facilities and Campus Services staff are responding to a power outage on campus. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of those on our campus. Updates will appear on this website.


Update on Investigation into Threat

The Winston-Salem Police Department, in partnership with Wake Forest University Police, continues to investigate an unsubstantiated threat to campus first reported on Sunday, December 2. The police investigation has ruled out several possible concerns, however, law enforcement officials have asked that details not be released […]


Enhanced Security Measures Continue

The Winston-Salem Police Department, in partnership with Wake Forest University Police, continues to investigate an unsubstantiated threat to campus first reported on Sunday, December 2. There is no greater priority than the safety of our campus community. We appreciate your patience and trust despite the […]


Increased security presence on campus

On Sunday, law enforcement officials made Wake Forest authorities aware of an unsubstantiated threat against the campus. Law enforcement officials immediately began an investigation and continue to pursue leads to determine the validity of the threat. There is no greater priority than the safety of […]


Accidental activation of the indoor alert system in Miller Center

This afternoon, there was an accidental activation of an “active shooter” alert in the Miller Center. There is no incident taking place in the building. The message was distributed unintentionally one time, according to University officials. The alert was distributed in the building over the […]


Investigation into campus shooting remains active

From the Winston-Salem Police Department: The investigation into the murder of Najee Ali Baker has remained active and ongoing by detectives with the Winston-Salem Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Authorities continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses as part of that investigation. At this time, authorities are not releasing any […]


Letter to campus from President Hatch

Dear Wake Forest Community, At approximately 1 a.m. this morning, Najee Ali Baker, a student at Winston-Salem State University, was shot during an altercation at a party on campus in The Barn. I am deeply saddened to report that the student later succumbed to his […]


Police continue to investigate shooting

Winston-Salem Police and Wake Forest University Police are investigating a shooting at The Barn on campus that occurred around 1 a.m. Jan. 20 in which a person was injured and taken to a hospital. Police do not believe the suspect in the shooting remained on […]


Police do not believe suspect on campus at this time

Winston-Salem Police and University Police are searching for a suspect in a shooting at The Barn tonight. Police do not believe the suspect is on campus. The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Police have increased patrols of the campus and nearby areas. […]


Police seeking suspect in shooting at The Barn

Police are searching for a suspect in a shooting at The Barn tonight on campus. Police are on the scene. Stay in place until further notice. If you are off campus, stay away. Police are responding. Our first priority is to ensure the health and […]


Police continue search for suspect in shooting

Police continue to search for a suspect in a shooting at The Barn tonight. Police are on the scene. A shooting victim has been taken to the hospital. Students off campus may return to campus now. No one is permitted to come to The Barn area. […]


Armed and dangerous person reported at The Barn

Armed and dangerous person reported at The Barn. Police are responding. Follow updates on this site. Seek shelter now. Stay in place until further notice. If you are off campus, stay away.


Phone service to University has been disrupted

Wake Forest is experiencing a major disruption tonight with the University’s telephone system. In general, calls made to University telephones from off-campus phones and cell phones are not getting through to the University. To reach University Police from a cell phone or from off campus, […]


Update to campus crime alert

Tonight, the Winston-Salem Police Department has taken into custody a man who was sought after he fled Wake Forest University police officers on campus and wrecked his car at the intersection of Polo Road and Reynolda Road.  After the wreck, the man ran away to […]


Campus crime alert

University Police Department officers engaged a suspicious man outside Z. Smith Reynolds Library late this afternoon. The man fled the scene and soon afterward crashed his car at the intersection of Reynolda Road and Polo Road. After the crash, he fled on foot. Winston-Salem Police […]


Police investigate sexual assault

The University Police Department is investigating a sexual assault that took place between 6 a.m. and 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, May 6.  The incident occurred at Kitchin Residence Hall near lot N. Wake Forest University is providing resources to assist the individual involved in this incident […]


Gun pointed at student on campus

At about 6:25-6:30 p.m. this evening, a man in an orange SUV pointed a handgun at a Wake Forest student on campus in Parking Lot “J”. University Police believe the suspects have left campus. A Wake Forest student was returning to his vehicle on campus in Parking […]


Power is out on more than half of campus

Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus has experienced a major power outage today and more than half of the campus buildings in the central and north sections of campus are affected. Crews are working on site to identify the cause of the problem and restore power as […]


Phone outage

Information Systems has received reports that some telephone lines are working intermittently and other telephone lines are not working at all. Information Systems is working with our vendor partner, Avaya, to restore the University’s telephone service. There is no estimated time of resolution to share. Check 


Archives