FAQ

If you use your cellphone to call 911, you will most likely be connected with the San Marcos Police Department, depending on which cell tower picks up your call. They will transfer you to UPD if you are on any part of campus when requesting assistance.

If you call 911 from a university landline, you will be connected with UPD.

If you use one of the emergency call boxes to call 911, you will be connected directly to UPD.

Emergency call boxes are located across campus, ready for use at all times. They are a quick way to report an emergency.

Pressing the button on any call box connects you directly to UPD, and shares the box's location. As officers head to the scene, the line stays open so that you can speak with a dispatcher.

If the danger is getting closer, move to another call box — UPD will be able to track this movement and arrive at your current location.

Weather-related and other emergencies are reported at Safety and Emergency Communications.

Students, faculty and staff can sign up to receive texts from the university about weather emergencies and hazardous weather conditions on or near campus. Our system is called TXState Alerts. The service is free, but note that depending on your texting plan you may be responsible for additional charges from your provider.

All users with a txstate.edu email address will automatically receive TXState Alert email notifications about severe weather and other emergencies.

If you have more questions, visit TXState Alerts FAQs or email alerts@txstate.edu.

Be aware of the emergency call boxes across campus, especially the ones along your most common routes. Pushing an emergency call box button connects you directly to UPD.

If you can, find others who are also leaving the building after dark and walk in groups.

Bobcat Guardian is a free mobile app that creates a virtual safety network of friends and family.

The law permits individuals with a concealed handgun license (CHL) or License to Carry (LTC) to carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder’s person on public university campuses, which includes Texas State University.

However, there are designated areas on campus where guns are prohibited:

• Premises providing services or events for minor children including the Child Development Center (CDC), Clinic for Autism Research Evaluation and Support (CARES), Assessment and Counseling Clinic (ACC), Speech-Language-Hearing and Physical Therapy Clinics, and Locations used for Pre-K through Grade 12 summer session activities and camps. Please note that events for minor children including, but not limited to public and private school activities and events, are often held in various locations on both the San Marcos and Round Rock Campuses and under Texas law, the carrying of a handgun to said events and activities is prohibited. Examples of such locations include The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and the Freeman Aquatic Biology Building.
• Premises providing health services including the Student Health Centers and Counseling Centers.
• Premises used for disciplinary, legal compliance, and counseling including the 5th Floor of the LBJ Student Center, Counseling Centers, and any location when used for disciplinary matters, legal and quasi-judicial matters, and legal compliance. Please note that there are many locations on campus that may from time to time be gun-free zones when those locations are being used for disciplinary matters, legal and quasi-judicial matters, and legal compliance in those circumstances temporary signage will designate the location as a gun-free area.
• Premises when used for competitive sporting and UIL events including Strahan Coliseum, Bobcat Stadium, Bobcat Baseball and Softball Complex, Track and Field Stadium, and other locations when used for NCAA or UIL events.
• Premises used for official residence or governmental events including the University President’s House and grounds, polling location on the 3rd floor of the LBJ Student Center when used for that purpose, and the location of governmental meetings.

Campus carry is complex. Visit the Campus Carry FAQ for many more details.

The Texas Legislature passed campus carry legislation in 2015, to go into effect in 2016. You can learn more about Texas State University’s history with campus carry here.

TXState Alert is the official emergency notification system used by Texas State University.  

You can sign up to receive emergency alert texts on your mobile device from TXState Alerts. The service is free, but note that depending on your texting plan you may be responsible for additional charges from your provider.

All users with a txstate.edu email address will automatically receive TXState Alert email notifications about emergencies.

If you have more questions, visit TXState Alerts FAQs or email alerts@txstate.edu.