FAQ

Main Content

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), X (@WakeAlert) and Facebook (Wake Alert). They also will be shared through the Wake Safe app.

Alerts may be posted as an emergency banner at the top of University website pages, shared on all computers connected to the network and on University digital displays 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 alerts the campus when 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 arises, the President or a member of the Executive Leadership Team will determine whether to restrict access to campus.

How to Report an Emergency

How do I report suspicious activity or a suspicious person?

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 are available in the Wake Safe app.
Emergency call boxes [Map / PDF] are located throughout the campus. Push the button once to speak with a dispatcher. Telephone boxes are located near some building entrances. Pick up the receiver, no dialing is required. Tell the dispatcher about the suspicious activity or person, giving details about what you saw, the exact location and why it is suspicious.
Talk directly to a police officer at Alumni Hall. The police communications center is accessible 24/7. The police department’s business offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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 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.

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?

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to report suspicious activity promptly at 336-758-5911 (emergency) or 336-758-5591 (non-emergency), through the Wake Safe App or by filing a report online. University Police is located in Alumni Hall. With immediate concerns, call the emergency number. Reports can be made for concerns about suspicious activity on or off campus.

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

Yes. submit a tip through the Wake Safe app. The app provides a convenient way to report anonymously using a mobile device.

A Word about Weather

What types of severe weather threats affect Winston-Salem?

Tornadoes, hurricanes and winter storms are all weather concerns in our area.
Hurricanes may come ashore from the Atlantic Ocean and cause flooding and downed trees. Tornadoes and other powerful windstorms may impact the area. 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 or occurring, requiring an immediate safety action.

Where can I find specific forecast information?

Find real-time data from the weather stations at the Miller Center and Allegacy Stadium.
Automated updates are also posted to social media. On Facebook, the stations appear as Wake Forest Weatherstem and Wake Forest Football Weatherstem, and on X they can be followed at @WakeForestWxSTEM and @WFUFootballWxSTEM. iOS and Android.
WeatherSTEM apps are also available for iOS and Android.