16.7 Emergency Notification and Public Information

(Amended 9/20/24)

1. Emergency notifications. The safety of students, employees, and visitors is the university's number-one priority. Campus Safety keeps campus informed about imminent safety threats using various methods. Hawk Alerts are one layer of our campus emergency-notification system. These alerts can be delivered via text message, phone call, and email (based on settings selected by the user) when there is confirmation of an immediate threat to the health and safety of the campus community. Other methods may include but are not limited to:
   1. Outdoor emergency notification systems, such as outdoor sirens and a public address system that may be used for campus-wide critical incidents, including, but not limited to, tornado warnings. Sirens are tested at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, weather permitting. 
   2. Building notification systems may be used to inform building occupants of an emergency. Examples include building alarm/speaker systems, NOAA weather radios, digital signage, and/or other building-specific equipment. 
   3. Other digital communication systems, such as  university websites, desktop and computer pop-up alterts, social media, and traditional media outlets.
      
      Emergency notifications are sent either  to the entire campus or to more  targeted audiences (i.e., users of  specific buildings or areas of campus) when impact is more  limited. Emergency notifications are activated by Campus Safety in accordance with Campus Safety policies and in compliance with the Clery Act.
2. Public information. The Office of Strategic Communication serves as the authorized spokesperson for the university and maintains the university's Crisis Communication Plan. During a critical incident, all non-emergency, all public information must be coordinated and disseminated by their staff with assistance from other University departments and/or personnel as designated.
   
   During critical incidents, the Office of Strategic Communication will work with each organizational unit to gather accurate and substantial information regarding the situation and details regarding the University response. The Office of Strategic Communication, working with other Emergency Operations Center staff and applicable university officials, will provide notification to students, faculty, staff, and the general public on progress toward recovery. Any questions or comments regarding the Crisis Communication Plan should be directed to the Office of Strategic Communication.