Timely Warnings & Emergency Notifications
Keeping you informed. Keeping you safe.
Middle Georgia State University uses two types of safety alerts to keep our community informed and protected: Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications. These alerts are required by the Clery Act and are issued by MGA Police and the Office of Marketing & Communications (MarComm).
What is a Timely Warning?
A Timely Warning is sent when:
- A Clery-reportable crime occurs in our campus area, and
- There is an ongoing or continuing threat to students, faculty, staff, or visitors.
Purpose: Help you protect yourself by sharing what happened and what steps to take.
You may receive a Timely Warning for crimes such as:
- Robbery or burglary
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated assault
- Stalking or dating violence
- Arson
- Other crimes considered serious and ongoing
How you’ll receive it: Email, text and/or other campus communication channels (RAVE).
What is an Emergency Notification?
An Emergency Notification is sent when there is a confirmed immediate threat to the health or safety of the campus community. These are used for fast-moving or dangerous situations that require immediate action.
Examples of situations that may trigger an Emergency Notification:
- Active threat or armed intruder
- Major fire or explosion
- Severe weather or tornado warning
- Hazardous material spill
- Dangerous person on campus
- Other life-threatening emergencies
Purpose: Tell you what is happening right now and what to do immediately (evacuate, shelter-in-place, avoid area, etc.).
How you’ll receive it: Text alerts, email, loudspeaker/siren, website banners, or other rapid messaging tools.
| Feature | Timely Warning | Emergency Notification |
| Trigger | A past criminal incident that poses a serious or continuing threat | An immediate, ongoing, or imminent threat to health and safety |
| Scope | Specific crimes, such as criminal homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, or burglary | Any situation posing a serious threat, such as a fire, building collapse, active shooter, or severe weather |
| Purpose | To inform the community about past crimes so they can take precautions to prevent similar incidents | To provide immediate, life-saving information and instructions during a current or developing emergency |
| Timing | Issued after a crime is reported and a threat is identified | Issued "without delay" to mitigate an immediate danger |
| Content | May include the type of crime, date, time, location, and suspect information | Can include a variety of information depending on the emergency, such as evacuation instructions or safety advice |
What You Can Do
- Make sure your contact info is up to date in the campus alert system
- Read alerts fully and follow instructions
- Report suspicious activity or crimes immediately
- Save campus police/emergency numbers in your phone
Why These Alerts Matter
Your ability to receive and respond to safety alerts helps protect the entire MGA community. These communications are not meant to alarm you; they are meant to empower you. When we share timely safety information, we help each other stay informed, aware, and protected.
Get the Rave Guardian App
Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications help keep our campus informed, but you can stay even more connected by using the Rave Guardian safety app.
The Rave Guardian app allows you to:
- Receive campus alerts directly on your phone
- Contact MGA Police instantly with your location
- Report suspicious activity anonymously
- Set a safety timer so friends or police can check in if you’re walking alone
- Add personal “Guardians” like friends, family, or campus police
- Access emergency resources and phone numbers with one tap