EMU Crisis Planning and Communication
 Don Loppnow |
The recent tragic events at Virginia Tech University and Northern Illinois University have understandably raised questions regarding Eastern Michigan University’s preparedness to effectively respond in a time of crisis. I would like to share what steps are being taken in regards to crisis planning and communication.
Last fall, I formed a cross-divisional Safety and Security Planning Committee intended to help the University respond more quickly to identify safety and security concerns and streamline strategic planning relative to crisis management. The committee, for which I am chair, meets weekly to make sure campus security improvements are advancing on schedule and the safety and wellbeing of our University community remains, at all times, a top institutional priority.
As part of our commitment to become a national leader in the area of campus safety, I have charged the committee with reviewing and strengthening EMU’s existing crisis management policies relative to existing best practices within higher education. As a consequence of this ongoing internal review and in addition to the many safety and security efforts (e.g. installation of 200 cameras and new key control system) that have been completed, the following new initiatives are under way:
- Install public address systems in campus building. EMU already has installed public address systems in 23 buildings on campus.
- Require all essential personnel to enroll in a subscription-based text messaging alert system that will immediately notify them of a campus emergency. In addition, we will launch a university-wide promotional campaign to encourage all employees, students and their families to enroll in the University’s subscription-based text alert system
- Require all essential personnel to enroll in a subscription-based voice messaging system that will further enhance the University’s ability to coordinate activities in a time of crisis.
- Develop special emergency icons and content for the EMU web site to direct the public in times of crisis.
- Integrate the use of emergency notification trailers on television screens in Halle Library, the Student Center and elsewhere.
- Automate regional media emergency alerts to be sent by e-mail, voicemail, fax and text.
Throughout the semester we will be holding public forums to offer the University community an opportunity to provide feedback on improving safety and security on campus. I hope you will join us at future forums so that we can work together to build a better and safer EMU.
Sincerely,
Donald Loppnow
Provost and Executive Vice President