Campus Alert Archive
ASU

Advisory warned of a bee swarm reported near the Peralta Hall stairwell

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Confirmed Threat

During spring 2017, Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus in Mesa issued one of six bee advisories that semester, warning students and staff that a swarm of bees had been reported near the Peralta Hall stairwell. This advisory is representative of ASU's systematic bee swarm notification program, which issued 13 such advisories across all four campuses in 2017 alone and reflects the university's years-long challenge managing Africanized honeybee populations in Arizona's desert climate.

Alerts
1
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Arizona State University
Public R1 · AZ
All ASU cases →
~80,000 studentsASU Advisory
Official alert policy
Read when and how ASU says it will use ASU Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

INITIAL ALERTSMS
Verified verbatimASU State Press quoting the exact verbatim advisory text104 chars
ASU Advisory-Polytechnic: Swarm of bees reported near Peralta stairwell. Please use caution in the area.
At 104 characters, this advisory is one of the most compressed campus safety notifications in the archive, yet it contains the sender identity (ASU Advisory), the campus (Polytechnic), the hazard (swarm of bees), and the location (Peralta stairwell) with a single action instruction.
The Polytechnic campus in Mesa, Arizona, where this advisory was issued, hosts the largest honey bee research lab in North America, creating an ironic juxtaposition between the campus's academic study of bees and the recurring need to warn students about feral Africanized bee swarms in the same outdoor spaces.
In 2015, ASU had issued near-daily bee advisories during peak swarm season, triggering a documented 'cry wolf' effect where students stopped responding to alerts; by 2017 the university had reduced advisory volume and calibrated notifications by severity level.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

ASU Advisory-Polytechnic: Swarm of bees reported near Peralta stairwell. Please use caution in the area.

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree the source is present; the message opens with the branded signature "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic".

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" branded signature identifies the sender.
    2. present: It opens with the branded signature "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic".
    3. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" branded signature identifies the sender.
    4. present: It opens with "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" branded signature.
    5. present: It opens with branded "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic", identifying the sender.
    6. present: It opens with "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic", a branded signature.
    7. present: The signature "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" identifies the sender.
    8. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" branded signature identifies the sender.
    9. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic:" branded signature identifies the sender.
    10. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" is a branded signature identifying the sender.
    11. present: It opens with the branded signature "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic", identifying the sender.
    12. present: The signature "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" identifies the branded university sender.
    13. present: The "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" branded signature identifies the sender.
    14. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" is a branded signature identifying the sender.
    15. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" is a branded signature identifying the sender.
    16. present: It opens with branded "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic", identifying the sender.
    17. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" identifies the branded ASU sender.
    18. present: The branded tag "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" identifies the sender.
    19. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" branded tag identifies the sender.
    20. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" identifies the branded Arizona State alert as the sender.
    21. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" is the branded sender signature.
    22. present: The "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic:" branded signature identifies the sender.
    23. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" branded signature identifies the sender.
    24. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" branded signature identifies the sender.
    25. present: "ASU Advisory-Polytechnic" is the branded sender tag.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree the hazard is present; the alert names a swarm of bees, a specific hazard.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    2. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    3. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    4. present: It names a specific threat: "Swarm of bees".
    5. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific threat.
    6. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific threat.
    7. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    8. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    9. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific threat.
    10. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific threat.
    11. present: It names "Swarm of bees reported", a specific hazard.
    12. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific threat.
    13. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    14. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    15. present: "Swarm of bees" names a specific hazard.
    16. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    17. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific threat.
    18. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    19. present: "Swarm of bees" names a specific hazard.
    20. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    21. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    22. present: It names a "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    23. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific threat.
    24. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
    25. present: It names "Swarm of bees", a specific hazard.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree a specific location is given: near Peralta stairwell.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It cites "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
    2. present: It specifies "near Peralta stairwell".
    3. present: It names "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
    4. present: It specifies "near Peralta stairwell".
    5. present: It specifies "near Peralta stairwell".
    6. present: It says "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
    7. present: It names "near Peralta stairwell".
    8. present: It specifies "near Peralta stairwell" and "the area".
    9. present: It locates it "near Peralta stairwell".
    10. present: It specifies "near Peralta stairwell", a named place.
    11. present: It locates it "near Peralta stairwell" and "the area".
    12. present: It names "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
    13. present: It locates it "near Peralta stairwell".
    14. present: It names "near Peralta stairwell" at Polytechnic.
    15. present: "near Peralta stairwell" specifies the location.
    16. present: It locates it "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
    17. present: It names "near Peralta stairwell".
    18. present: It names "near Peralta stairwell" as the location.
    19. present: It names "near Peralta stairwell."
    20. present: It specifies "near Peralta stairwell", a named place.
    21. present: It cites "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
    22. present: It cites "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
    23. present: It cites "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
    24. present: It names "near Peralta stairwell" at "Polytechnic", a specific place.
    25. present: It cites "near Peralta stairwell", a specific place.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree guidance is present; the alert instructs recipients to use caution in the area.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: "Please use caution in the area" instructs a protective action.
    2. present: It instructs to "use caution in the area", a protective action.
    3. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    4. present: It instructs recipients to "use caution in the area".
    5. present: It instructs recipients to "use caution in the area", a protective action.
    6. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    7. present: It instructs recipients to "use caution in the area".
    8. present: "Please use caution in the area" is a protective instruction.
    9. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    10. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    11. present: It instructs recipients to "use caution in the area", a protective action.
    12. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    13. present: It instructs recipients to "use caution in the area".
    14. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area".
    15. present: "Please use caution in the area" is a protective instruction.
    16. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    17. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area".
    18. present: It instructs recipients to "use caution in the area".
    19. present: "Please use caution in the area" is a protective instruction.
    20. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    21. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    22. present: It instructs recipients to "use caution in the area", a protective action.
    23. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    24. present: It instructs "Please use caution in the area", a protective action.
    25. present: "Please use caution in the area" is a protective action instruction.
  • Timeabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree timing is absent: no clock time, date, or recency cue appears.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    2. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    3. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word appears.
    4. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue is present.
    5. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue such as "now" appears.
    6. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    7. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    8. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    9. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    10. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    11. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue such as "now" appears in the text.
    12. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    13. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    14. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    15. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    16. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    17. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    18. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    19. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    20. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word like "now" appears.
    21. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word such as "now" appears.
    22. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    23. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    24. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word appears in the text.
    25. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
  • Impactabsent1/25

    Final assessment

    Absent by a near-unanimous 24 to 1 majority: a bee swarm with a use-caution advisory states no potential harm or consequence.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: Reports a bee swarm and asks for caution but states no specific harm or severity.
    2. absent: Reports a bee swarm and to use caution but states no specific harm or danger.
    3. absent: It reports a bee swarm and asks for caution but states no harm or how dangerous it is.
    4. absent: It reports a bee swarm and to use caution but does not state any specific harm or severity.
    5. absent: Reports a bee swarm and to use caution but states no specific harm or consequence.
    6. absent: It reports a bee swarm and says use caution but states no harm or sting danger.
    7. absent: Reports a bee swarm and says use caution but states no specific harm or danger.
    8. absent: Reports a bee swarm and says use caution but states no harm or specific danger.
    9. absent: Reports a bee swarm and advises caution but states no specific danger or potential harm.
    10. absent: Reports a bee swarm and says use caution but states no explicit harm or danger.
    11. absent: Reports a bee swarm and asks for caution but states no harm or what it could do.
    12. absent: Reports a bee swarm and asks for caution but states no specific harm or danger.
    13. absent: Reports a bee swarm and advises caution but states no specific harm or consequence.
    14. absent: Reports a bee swarm and to use caution but states no specific harm or severity.
    15. absent: It reports a bee swarm and says use caution but states no harm such as stings or danger.
    16. absent: Reports a bee swarm and advises caution but states no explicit harm or severity.
    17. absent: Reports a bee swarm and advises caution but states no specific harm or how dangerous it is.
    18. absent: Reports a bee swarm and use caution but states no specific harm or severity.
    19. absent: It reports a bee swarm and advises caution but states no harm such as stings or danger.
    20. absent: Reports a bee swarm and to use caution but states no harm or consequence such as stings.
    21. absent: Reports a bee swarm and to use caution but states no harm or how serious it is.
    22. present: It reports a swarm of bees and urges caution, with the implied danger from bees prompting the caution warning.
    23. absent: Reports a bee swarm and asks for caution without stating a danger or harm.
    24. absent: Reports a bee swarm and to use caution but states no actual danger or harm.
    25. absent: It reports a bee swarm and asks for caution but states no specific danger or potential harm.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

Arizona is home to Africanized honeybees, which expanded from Brazil into the American Southwest in the 1990s and are significantly more defensive than European honeybees. ASU's four campuses in the Phoenix metro area have contended with bee swarms each spring since the 2000s, with peak swarm activity in March-May when bees establish new colonies. In 2015, the volume of advisories was so high that students became desensitized; one week the Polytechnic campus alone sent multiple daily notifications. By 2016-17, ASU had calibrated its response: grounds crews apply caution tape around swarm sites, monitor for 24 hours, and call bee removal contractors for swarms that do not move on their own. In 2017, ASU issued 13 bee-swarm advisories across all four campuses, with the Polytechnic campus in Mesa accounting for six of them. The Peralta Hall advisory is notable as the only verbatim-confirmed short-SMS bee advisory in the archive; its 104-character format demonstrates the compression of mobile emergency communication. The ASU Advisory system sends different messages for different severity levels: a standard advisory urges caution, while a higher-tier alert might direct sheltering in place if a swarm has become aggressive. ASU also operates the Bee Biology Lab at Polytechnic, the largest honey bee research facility in North America, giving the campus a higher than average awareness of and expertise about bee behavior.
Analysis

Key Findings

At 104 characters, this is among the most compressed verified campus emergency advisories in the archive, demonstrating that wildlife threats can be communicated in SMS format with institution, campus, hazard, location, and instruction fitting within a single text
The 2015 'cry wolf' effect, in which frequent ASU bee advisories led students to stop heeding them, was described in State Press reporting on notification fatigue
Africanized honeybee swarm management at multi-campus urban universities is a recurring hazard in the American Southwest, distinct from the single-incident framework of most campus safety alerts
Outcome
Grounds crews monitored the swarm. Caution tape applied. Bee removal contractor notified. No reported injuries.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Student Paper
    The buzz on ASU's bees - The Arizona State Press
    statepress.com
    archived copy
  2. Official
    ASU buzzes with bee activity - ASU News
    news.asu.edu
    archived copy
  3. Official
    Bee awareness - Arizona State University
    cfo.asu.edu
    archived copy
  4. Official
    Polytechnic campus is all abuzz - ASU News
    news.asu.edu
    archived copy
  5. Source
    Bee Swarms at ASU's Four Campuses - Budget Brothers
    budgetbrotherstermite.com
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Arizona State University: Advisory warned of a bee swarm reported near the Peralta Hall stairwell." Incident of April 1, 2017. Added May 2026; last updated July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/arizona-state-university-polytechnic-bee-swarm-2017-04-01/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
wildlifebee-swarmafricanized-beesadvisoryarizonaasupolytechnicdesert-climaterecurring-hazardverbatim
Added May 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion