FAQ

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How the University Announces Emergencies

How will the University inform me if there is an emergency on campus?
What kind of situations would prompt the University to alert the campus?
If an emergency happened on campus, would the University close the campus?

How to Report an Emergency

How do I report suspicious activity or a suspicious person?
If I see a crime in progress, what do I do?
Whom should I call first if a fire or other emergency occurs on campus?
What are the various roles of University Police, Winston-Salem Police and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office?
Whom should I call if I observe behavior by someone that appears unusually hostile and threatening, but perhaps no crime is being committed?
Is there some way to report a tip about a crime without having to give my name?

A Word About Weather

What types of severe weather threats affect Winston-Salem?
What is the difference between a watch and a warning?
Where can I find specific forecast information?
What news media outlets have local weather information?

How the University Announces Emergencies

How will the University inform me if there is an emergency on campus?

Wake Alert is the University’s mass notification system for communicating about situations affecting safety and security. In the event of an emergency or when a safety response is needed an alert may be sent by text, email, phone message (mobile), Twitter (@WakeAlert) and Facebook (Wake Alert). They also will be shared through the Wake Safe app.

Alerts may also be posted as an emergency banner at the top of University website pages, shared on all computers connected to WFU internet and on University television screens campuswide. The University may also activate outdoor and indoor audio alert systems.

What kind of situations would prompt the University to alert the campus?

The University would alert the campus when the University administration believes there is a substantial risk to campus safety affecting the entire campus community.

If an emergency happened on campus, would the University close the campus?

If a substantial threat to campus safety affecting the entire community exists, the President or her designee has the authority to restrict access to campus.

How to Report an Emergency

How do I report suspicious activity or a suspicious person?

You can call 911 from a campus phone or call 336.758.5911 from a mobile phone to reach University Police.
Methods to contact the University Police also are available in the Wake Safe app.
Emergency call boxes [Map / PDF] are also located throughout the campus. Push the button once to speak with a dispatcher. Telephone boxes are also located near some building entrances. Pick up the receiver, no dialing required. Tell the dispatcher about the suspicious activity or person, giving details about what you saw, the exact location and why it is suspicious.
You can also talk directly to a police officer at the police communications center in Alumni Hall. The police communications center in that building can be accessed 24/7. The police department’s business offices in that building are open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you wish to provide information anonymously, do so through “Silent Witness.”

If I see a crime in progress, what do I do?

Call 911 from a campus phone or call 336.758.5911 from a mobile phone to reach University Police. Tell the dispatcher that a crime is occurring. Describe what is happening in detail, including the exact location, descriptions of suspects, their last location and whether anyone is injured. Do not put yourself in jeopardy.
Methods to contact the University Police also are available in the Wake Safe app.
If you do not have a phone, emergency call boxes [Map / PDF] are located throughout the campus, including on walking trails. Push the button once to speak with a dispatcher. Telephone boxes are also located near some building entrances. Pick up the receiver and speak with the dispatcher.
If you wish to provide information anonymously, do so through “Silent Witness.”

Whom should I call first if a fire or other emergency occurs on campus?

The first point of contact for on-campus emergencies is University Police, which can send police, firefighters and emergency medical help. University Police needs to know about any emergency on campus to coordinate the response. Call 911 from a campus phone or call 336.758.5911 from a mobile phone to reach University Police. And remember, calling 911 on a mobile phone while on campus will connect you with dispatchers for the city of Winston-Salem. Ask to be transferred to Wake Forest University Police.

What are the various roles of University Police, Winston-Salem Police and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department?

University Police is the lead agency to respond and coordinate all emergency situations on campus. It is a full-service agency that employs full- and part-time police officers and staff. The Winston-Salem Police Department works cooperatively with campus police, sharing information and responding to situations as needed. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for covering areas outside city limits, but deputies also enforce laws — including traffic laws — within city limits. The sheriff’s office also operates the county jail and houses anyone arrested in the county.

Whom should I call if I observe behavior by someone on campus that appears unusually hostile and threatening, but perhaps no apparent crime is being committed?

Your first response should be to call University Police. Dial 911 from a campus phone or call 336.758.5911 from a mobile phone. Police need to know about suspicious activity and potential problems. If you wish to provide information anonymously, do so through “Silent Witness.” Methods to contact the University Police also are available in the Wake Safe app.

Is there some way to report a tip about a crime without having to give my name?

Yes. One opportunity to do so is through the Wake Safe app. The app provides a very convenient way to report anonymously or otherwise using a mobile device. The University Police Department also operates a Silent Witness online program.

A Word about Weather

What types of severe weather threats affect Winston-Salem?

Tornadoes, hurricanes and winter storms are all threats in Piedmont North Carolina.
The remains of hurricanes that come ashore off the Atlantic Ocean have hit major metropolitan areas of North Carolina, causing flooding and downed trees. Tornadoes and other powerful windstorms are not unusual in the Piedmont, either. Winter storms can cause significant snowfalls and ice storms can make any type of travel dangerous and cause lengthy power outages. The State Climate Office of North Carolina offers background information about the state’s weather.

What is the difference between a watch and a warning?

The U.S. National Weather Service issues watches and warnings about specific types of threatening weather. A watch means that severe weather could develop. A warning means that severe weather is imminent.

Where can I find specific forecast information?

Anyone with access to the internet can visit the websites for the weather stations located at the Miller Center and Allegacy Stadium. Each website — forsyth.weatherstem.com/wfu and forsyth.weatherstem.com/wfufootball — has a link to the other. The links are labeled “WEATHERSTEM UNITS” and can be found at the top right side of the sites. The stations also offer information through Facebook and Twitter accounts, which are updated through automation. On Facebook, the accounts are identified as Wake Forest Weatherstem and Wake Forest Football Weatherstem. On Twitter, the stations can be followed @WakeForestWxSTEM and @WFUFootballWxSTEM. WeatherSTEM also offers apps for ios and android.

What news media outlets have local weather information?

Several television stations and news sites in the Triad post weather alerts online. They include: