On Sept. 3 and 4, the College of Charleston will conduct a test of the Cougar Alert emergency notification system. The testing dates and times are as follows:   

• 3:55 p.m., Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025  
• 11:55 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025

To ensure that the technology works properly, the campus community is asked to acknowledge the alerts when received. Response instructions will be included with each message.   

It is critical that the College be able to alert the campus community to any emergencies on or near campus.

To receive all emergency notifications, you must ensure that the College’s systems have the most up-to-date emergency contact information. 

To check your emergency contact information, sign into MyPortal and click on the “Personal Information” tile. Confirm that your phone, text and email information is current.  If you have the correct contact information listed, you will automatically receive emergency notifications via email, phone and text during the test and during an actual emergency.

In addition to the notification methods listed above, all campus computer workstations, classroom smart board, and laptops will display a full-screen pop-up alert providing messaging about the Cougar Alert. To dismiss the pop-up screen, click the “Acknowledge” button on the screen.   

Now is also a good time to familiarize yourself with the College’s staying safe instructions on its Emergencies on Campus page and the AVOID-DENY-DEFEND protocol for reacting to an active shooter situation.

FAQs

What if I don’t receive the Cougar Alert test through one of my preferred contact methods?    

If you do not receive a Cougar Alert through one of your preferred contact methods, please notify our Emergency Management Team at [email protected].    

Why do emergency notifications appear on campus computers and digital displays?    

The College wants to ensure that emergency notifications are disseminated as widely as possible throughout campus.    

Why does the College need my emergency contact information?     

Having your correct emergency contact information in our systems allows the College to notify you immediately in the event of an emergency.     

Will you share my emergency contact information?     

No. Emergency contact information is kept confidential.    

How do I edit my emergency contact information?     

Go to  MyPortal and select the “Personal Information” tile. Scroll down to the email section and phone section. Make sure the information is correct. Click the pencil icon to edit/update or select the trash bin icon to delete an old contact.     

How often do I have to update my emergency contact information?     

At the beginning of every academic year, at a minimum, or anytime your emergency contact information changes.     

Why does the College conduct these tests?    

The federal Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to maintain emergency notification procedures to notify the campus community of emergencies and to regularly conduct testing of its systems and procedures.    

What types of emergency notifications does the College send to campus?    

The College generally issues three types of notifications: Cougar Alerts, Timely Warnings and Campus Advisories. The three types of notifications and explanations of each can be found at emergency.charleston.edu. (Please note that campus advisories are sent through College email only.)

How will computers and laptops be affected by this test?    

When the College issues a Cougar Alert, all campus computer workstations, classroom smart boards and laptops will display a full-screen, pop-up alert providing more information. You must click the “Acknowledge” button to dismiss the notification.    

How can people who are not members of the campus community, such as parents, families and nearby residents, receive emergency notifications from the College?    

Non-CofC members can sign up to receive Cougar Alerts by texting the word cougaralert to 333111. You will automatically receive Cougar Alerts via text message. To receive the alerts by email, reply to the confirmation text with your email address.