Lesley University Emergency Plan

Introduction

Lesley University is committed to providing a safe environment for its community members in on and off-campus programs. The University maintains a crisis management plan to provide guidance for community members during an emergency situation that might threaten the physical safety of its students, faculty and staff, the general public, and the resources of the University. The plan describes procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. Each emergency situation outlines specific responsibilities of any community member who becomes aware of an emergency.

The 2009-2010 academic year also means planning for an expected resurgence in cases of the H1N1 influenza virus. All public health agencies are planning for an increase in flu cases, and at Lesley we are staying in touch with those agencies as we strive to keep the Lesley community healthy through the flu season. For more information, please see Flu Information link on the left hand side bar.

Winter Storm Closing Information

How to find out about potential snow closings:

• The information will be on the Lesley University website and the “my start page” tab on myLesley.
• The information will be on the Lesley University telephone system. 
• Local Boston television stations Channel 4 (WBZ), Channel 5 (WCVB) and Channel 7 (WHDH).
• Local radio stations 1030AM and 680AM will broadcast the announcement and will post all school closings on their web sites.  Both Lesley University and AIB will be listed.
• All employees and students who have opted-in to the Lesley EAS (emergency alert system) will be notified of Lesley’s closing by voice, text message and email during the hours of 8am to 9pm seven days a week.  Lesley closing announcements alerts, made prior to 8am or later than 9pm, will be sent by email or text message only, as provided by registrants to the Lesley EAS. For more information, please refer to the Emergency Alert System home page. http://lesley.edu/security/emergency_alert_system.html

Early Dismissal During a Winter Storm

Attention will be given to the expected intensity of a storm and its duration to determine if an early closing during normal business hours is prudent. If a closing decision is made during the workday, each school and department is expected to have plans for orderly notification and dismissal of its employees. In the event of a closing, staggered dismissals, especially of employees who have the most difficult commutes (based on distance, storm conditions and traffic), may be considered in extreme weather conditions. It should be noted, however, that all University services and programs remain open until the time of closing.

In some circumstances during inclement weather, an employee may need to leave work early or be absent even though the University officially remains open. Storm intensity by location may vary in certain areas, thus impacting the commute for some employees and students. In such cases, the respective dean, department head or director may permit an employee to be absent, with the understanding that the absence will be charged against the employee's existing personal or vacation days. Schools and departments should review their decision-making and communication process as it related to individual early release.

Cancellation of Off-Campus classes is based on local conditions and is handled at the site location. Off-Campus Operations, through the local site coordinators and faculty, will advise students in advance of notification procedures for individual class or site cancellation due to weather emergencies.

The Emergency Plan

The emergency plan is designed to limit loss of life and property and to mobilize the necessary resources, e.g., crisis counseling, Emergency Medical Technicians, and local Police and Fire. Emergency planning is under continual review with periodic updates to the plan document. The Emergency Plan is intended to supplement, not replace existing Lesley University policies and procedures, including those that address standards of conduct, disciplinary actions, legal sanctions against illicit drug and alcohol use, or unlawful discrimination and harassment.

A complete list of existing University policies and procedures is located on the Lesley University web site at http://www.lesley.edu/policies.html, in academic catalogs, and in faculty, employee, and student handbooks.

As part of our continuing effort for campus safety, Lesley University is subscribed to an automated Emergency Alert System (EAS). The voluntary opt-in system provides Public Safety the capability to alert students, faculty and staff of emergencies, of security-related incidents impacting campus safety. Emergency alerts are sent simultaneously via all familiar communications methods such as email, text messaging, SMS, and phone (cell, blackberry, PDA pager, etc.).   All employees and students who opt-in to the Lesley EAS, aka Send Word Now, will be notified of Lesley campus emergencies by voice, text message and email according to their listed personal preference.

Lesley Weather Closing Alerts: Weather related closing decisions made prior to 8am or later than 9pm, will be sent via email or text message, as provided by registrants to the Lesley EAS.

Students, faculty and staff on the Cambridge and Boston campuses are requested to update changes to their contact information if their email or phone contacts change. The information you provide will establish the means by which you will receive campus emergency alerts and notifications. The information you provide will remain private. The system will be used for emergency alerts and notifications only.

Public Safety strongly encourages all Lesley University students, faculty and staff to participate in this important campus safety program.