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McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY

Emergency and Alert Communications

University Police

University Police Contact

  • New Dispatch Number
    337-562-4911
  • McNeese Campus
    4497 Dr. Philip Williams Dr.
  • mcneesepd@mcneese.edu
  • Mailing Address
    Box 90540
    Lake Charles, LA 70609

McNeese University Police are available 24/7.
Emergency calls can be made from all campus extensions by calling 9-1-1.

Emergency Communications, Operational Alerts and Campus Safety

Stay Informed. Stay Safe.

McNeese State University uses a multi-channel communication approach to keep students, employees and campus visitors informed about emergencies, operational changes and important campus news.

Different types of information are delivered through different channels based on the urgency and nature of the message. Here’s what you can expect:

Immediate threats to life, health or safety

Emergency alerts are reserved for situations that require immediate attention, and pose a threat to life, health or safety.

  • Rave Alert: Emergency notifications are sent by text messages, email and phone calls/voicemail.
  • Enrollment is automatic: Current students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled using contact information provided through registration or employment.
  • Emergency alerts are not used for routine announcements.

Emergency alerts are provided in accordance with applicable federal and campus safety requirements, including the Clery Act.

Important changes that may affect your day

Operational alerts provide timely information about non-emergency changes to campus operations, including:

  • Campus closures or delayed openings
  • Class cancellations
  • Facility closures or service disruptions
  • Utility or environmental issues
  • Adjusted operating hours
  • Changes affecting campus services
  • Other significant operational changes

Operational alerts are optional. Students, employees and members of the public can subscribe to receive these notifications by texting MSUAlert to 337-386-6456.

Important information delivered to your McNeese inbox

McNeese uses email to provide operational information and important campus updates directly to students and employees.

  • Daily digest: Routine operational messages are delivered in a once-daily digest to help keep your inbox manageable.
  • Campus Immediate: When information is more urgent or time-sensitive, McNeese may send a Campus Immediate email to all students and employees.

Follow the latest updates

Important information, alerts and updates may also be posted through McNeese's official communication channels.

  • McNeese website: The university website serves as a central source for important campus information and updates.
  • Official social media: Follow McNeese's official social media accounts for timely updates, announcements and information.
  • Campus radio — KBYS 88.3 FM: Tune in to [KBYS.fm] for campus updates and information, particularly during significant events or changing conditions.

Keeping our community informed beyond campus

When appropriate, McNeese will issue press releases or media alerts to local news organizations to help share important information with the broader community.

Sign Up for Operational Alerts

Emergency alerts are automatic for current students, faculty and staff. Operational alerts require you to opt in.

Text MSUAlert to 337-386-6456 to subscribe to operational notifications.

Operational alerts are available to members of the McNeese community as well as members of the public who want to stay informed about significant changes affecting campus.

Flyer headline: Know Before You Go! Flyer message: When things change, we'll text you. Get important McNeese Updates delivered straight to your phone, like campus closures, class cancellations, weather-related changes, utility and service disruptions, modified campus operations, adjusted hours an schedules. Don't miss an important update, sign up for McNeese text alerts by texting "MSUAlert" to 337-386-6456.

Safety tools in the palm of your hand

Three smartphones displaying the McNeese Safe app with safety features for McNeese State University students.

McNeese Safe App

Powered by Rave Guardian, this app puts important safety tools and resources at your fingertips. Whether you need immediate assistance, want to let someone know where you are, or need to report a concern, McNeese Safe provides convenient ways to connect with help.

Features include:

  • Mobile Panic Button — Quickly request emergency assistance from your mobile device when you need immediate help.
  • Friend Walk — Share your location with a friend or trusted contact so they can virtually accompany you as you travel.
  • Virtual Walkhome — Connect with a designated safety resource for a virtual escort while walking across campus or to another destination.
  • Report a Tip — Submit information about a safety concern or suspicious activity.
  • Campus Maps — Access maps and locations to help you navigate campus.
  • Emergency Plans — Find important emergency procedures and preparedness information.
  • Support Resources — Quickly access campus and community resources designed to help when you need assistance.

Download McNeese Safe and keep these resources with you wherever you go on campus.

DOWNLOAD APP

Know Where to Look

When something happens, the type and urgency of the information will determine how McNeese communicates it. For the most timely information, we encourage you to use multiple channels:

If you need information about... Look for...
Immediate emergency or safety threat Text, Email and Phone Alerts • McNeese Safe Push Notifications • McNeese Website • Official Social Media • KBYS
Campus closure or class cancellation Operational Alerts • Campus Immediate • McNeese Website • Official Social Media • KBYS
Facility or service disruption Operational Alerts • Email • McNeese Website • Official Social Media
Adjusted hours or operational changes Operational Alerts • Daily Email Digest • McNeese Website
General campus news and updates Email • McNeese Website • Official Social Media • KBYS
Major events affecting the community Multiple Communication Channels • Local News Media

No single communication channel should be considered the only source of information. Depending on the situation, McNeese may use one or several channels to ensure important information reaches the campus community.

Important Policies and Terms

McNeese State University is committed to protecting the privacy of our students, faculty, staff, and community members. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you receive communications through our mass notification system, powered by Rave Mobile Safety (Rave Alert).

 

McNeese State University Operational Alerts – SMS Terms and Conditions

When you opt-in to receive operational text messages from McNeese State University (“McNeese”), you agree to the following terms and conditions:

  • Program Description: McNeese utilizes the Rave Alert platform to send operational, administrative, and non-emergency informational text messages to subscribed users. These messages may include:
    • Campus closures
    • Class cancellations
    • Weather-related changes
    • Utility and service disruptions
    • Modified campus operations
    • Adjusted hours and schedules
  • Please note that emergency alerts are handled under a separate profile.
  • Message Frequency: Message frequency varies. While volume depends on your department or user settings, frequency may also fluctuate based on the number of operational disruptions or service adjustments we face due to external forces (such as severe weather, utility outages, or external provider disruptions).
  • Pricing: Message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. Check your wireless plan or contact your mobile carrier for details.
  • How to Opt-Out: You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text STOP to 337-386-6456. After you send the SMS message STOP to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from this specific campaign.
  • How to Get Help: If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program, you can reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly by contacting helpdesk@mcneese.edu.
  • Supported Carriers: Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
  • Privacy: We respect your privacy. Data obtained from you in connection with this SMS service will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy (https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/emergency-and-operational-notification-privacy-policy/) Mobile phone numbers and opt-in data collected for SMS verification or messaging will not be shared, sold, or rented to third parties for promotional or marketing purposes.