April 20, 2020

Beginning this week, the COVID-19 Update daily newsletter will be sent on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Beginning in mid-May, University Brand Strategy and Communications will launch a daily news digest called UNT Today that will include many categories of information for faculty and staff. In the process, we will sunset InHouse and reduce the number of campuswide emails since UNT Today will provide a convenient, easy way for campus units to share information with faculty and staff. More information will be sent in the coming weeks regarding the launch of our new, internal communications channel.


Be Mean Green Ready for severe weather at UNT

Severe weather can occur at any time of the year, but the North Texas region sees a more significant threat during spring months. Preparation for storms, tornados and other severe weather is key. Below are some tips to help the UNT community become Mean Green Ready for severe weather!

Update your Eagle Alert information

All UNT community members are automatically enrolled in the emergency messaging system for campus, Eagle Alert, but can choose the best emails or telephone numbers for contact information. UNT System staff are automatically signed up to receive Eagle Alerts based on their office location and can choose to receive alerts from other UNT System locations if they would like to do so. Keep Eagle Alert information up to date at my.unt.edu (students and faculty) or my.untsystem.edu (staff). Also follow @UNTEagleAlert on Twitter to get up to date information.

Be 'Weather Aware' at all times

Check on weather conditions and understand weather impacts. When severe weather is in the forecast, keep an eye on the weather through the National Weather Service or by following Emergency Management and Safety Services on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Know where to go

Identify the nearest shelter areas. Shelter areas are designated for every building on campus and can be viewed at UNT Emergency Floor Plans or via the UNT Mean Green Ready App.

Understand the difference between a watch and a warning

A watch means that conditions are favorable for a particular type of weather. A warning means that the weather event is under way. Here are some common severe weather terms:

  • Severe thunderstorm watch: A severe thunderstorm is possible. Be weather aware and stay tuned to local radio/TV for information.
  • Severe thunderstorm warning: A severe thunderstorm is happening or imminent. Get indoors immediately and stay tuned to local radio/TV for more information.
  • Tornado watch: A tornado is possible. Know where you'll take shelter if you have to. Be weather aware and stay tuned to local radio/TV for information.
  • Tornado warning: A tornado is happening or imminent. Take shelter immediately and stay in your shelter until the warning has ended.

Learn what to do and about available resources

Visit UNT Emergency Management and NWS Weather Safety for more information about severe weather and the tools available to help with preparedness efforts. Visit KnoWhat2Do to make an emergency plan. Follow UNT Emergency Management (@MeanGreenReady) on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the most up-to-date safety and weather information for UNT Denton, Discovery Park, and the New College at Frisco.

Take an emergency readiness training class, provided by Emergency Management and Safety Services and the UNT Police Department. Fill out a training request form to learn more about this valuable training.


Going above and beyond: Stories from UNT's COVID-19 response:

Paulette Meyerson would like to give a big shout-out to two different groups: 1.) The custodial staff who continue to do an outstanding job even during this unusual crisis, and 2.) the desk clerks and student staff who are making sure the remaining campus residents feel welcome and safe. “The desk clerks, full- and part-time, are staying strong,” Meyerson says. “They're amazing.”

If you know of someone who is going above and beyond, please share their information with untpresident@unt.edu so we can give them a shoutout.


Don't forget that healthalerts.unt.edu is updated frequently with new information about how we are working together through this global health crisis.


Graphic illustrating Scrappy showing people to stand 6 feet apart from one another