CHAPTER EIGHT: CAMPUS POLICE AND SAFETY

SECTION FOUR

EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF THE UNIVERSITY

I. Policy: It is the policy of Florida Gulf Coast University to remain open unless adversely affected by emergency situations. In the event of an emergency closure, it is the policy of the University to notify students, faculty and staff as expeditiously as possible of the need and scope for closure and the reason(s) for the closure.

II. Definitions:

A. Emergency Closure: Is any event that adversely affects the health, safety, or well-being of students, faculty or staff, or which adversely affects the learning environment of the University and forces its closure. An emergency event may be a natural disaster or other sudden unplanned emergency condition.

B. Essential Personnel: Are those University employees whose presence at the University during an emergency is deemed essential to ensure the continued operation of basic services. Such services include but are not limited to law enforcement and security, plant operations and maintenance, or other services as dictated by the emergency.

C. Natural Disaster: Is any event caused by naturally occurring elements such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, severe wind storm, fire, etc.

D. Sudden Unplanned Emergency Condition: Is any event caused by human error, negligence, or as a result of intentional acts. Such events include, but are not limited to, exposure to hazardous chemicals, verifiable bomb threats, loss of utility service, failure of cooling system, or loss of power.

III. Duties:

A. President: The President, or designee, based upon recommendations from the Vice President for Administrative Services, Director of Campus Police and Safety and Director of Plant Operations and Maintenance, shall

1. Determine whether the University will remain open or if it is to close, and the scope and duration of closure;

2. Notify students, faculty and staff of the decision through the Vice President of University Relations, the Director of Communications and the Dean of Student Services, by implementing the emergency communication/notification plan; and

3. Notify the Board of Regents of the localized emergency and the need for the closure.

B. Vice President for Academic Affairs: Notify deans and academic department heads of the President’s decision and insure that steps are taken to protect personnel and property under their care and control.

C. Vice President for Administrative Services: Notify administrative services department heads of the President’s decision and insure that steps are taken to protect personnel, property and data under their care and control.

D. Vice President for University Relations: Notify, via the Director of Communications, regional news media of the President’s decision. Notify appropriate staff members of the President’s decision and take steps to insure the protection of personnel and property under their care and control.

E. Director of Campus Police and Safety: In conjunction with the Director of Plant Operations and Maintenance assess the event’s negative impact on the health, safety, or well-being of students, faculty or staff, or if it adversely affects the learning environment of the University; Communicate the findings of such assessment to the Vice President for Administrative Services for consideration by the President; maintain the delivery of police services to the University to include acting as the emergency information center; and act as liaison with local emergency operation agencies.

F. Director of Communications: Act as liaison with all news and/or media organizations; act as University media representative; and promulgate news releases as needed.

G. Director of Plant Operations and Maintenance: In conjunction with the Director of Campus Police and Safety assess the event’s negative impact on the health, safety, or well-being of students, faculty or staff, or if it adversely affects the learning environment of the University; Communicate the findings of such assessment to the Vice President for Administrative Services for consideration by the President; maintain essential services to the University; and act as liaison with local utility and power providers.

H. Dean of Student Services: With the assistance of the Director of Communications, communicate the President’s decision to the student body. Take necessary action to safeguard students, personnel, property and data under his/her custody and control.

I. Other Deans and Directors: Upon notification of emergency conditions necessitating the closure of the University take those steps which will insure the safety of personnel; the safety and security of University property and the security of electronic data.

J. Faculty and staff members: Unless otherwise notified of the University’s closure, make every reasonable effort to report to the University as scheduled.

1. Those employees designated as "Essential Personnel" shall report for duty as directed by their department director. Each department director shall notify the Campus Police and Safety Department and the Human Resources Department of the names of employees designated by them as essential personnel.

IV. Telephone Tree: In addition to the attached University Telephone Tree, each university department shall keep a department specific telephone tree for use in emergencies. Addendum A depicts both a "Daytime" and "Night/Weekend" emergency closure telephone tree. The telephone trees may be used to notify appropriate University personnel of the closure of the University.

© FGCU 1998 Administrative Services. This is an official FGCU web page.
Florida Gulf Coast University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
Effective Date: 04/01/98
Revised Date: 04/01/98
Contact: bharris@fgcu.edu