University Response

Miami has adopted a Crisis Management Plan to continue business in the event of an emergency. From feeding and housing students to preserving academic functions, numerous procedures have been established to ensure restoration of university functions as soon as possible following a significant disruption. The plan also provides for the protection and survival of our students, faculty, and staff.

Communication

In the event of an emergency, Miami will strive to provide communication to all members of its community via various means:

• Web page
  Urgent safety messages and long-term incident updates will be posted to Miami's homepage and to myMiami.
• Text Messaging and Email
  • Students, staff, and faculty who have registered with the Emergency Test Messaging System are sent text alerts and emails. Users must sign up for the text message service in order to participate.  The university also sends campuswide emails and VoIP phone messages. 
  • Parents can receive emailed updates via the Emergency Contact Listserv. (Students must register parents for this service and can do so through myMiami by choosing the "Emergency Contact Information" link within the Web Page Index.)
• Campus Status Telephone Line
  University operators answer calls via the 513-529-1809 information line during the work week.  A campus status line, 513-529-9000, provides information on changes to class schedules or campus closure caused by weather or an unexpected event.
• Local TV and radio stations
  Campus closures and other information are carried by local TV and radio stations, including WMUB (88.5 FM), as needed.
• Listservs
  In addition to university texts and emails, student leaders and landlords help deliver safety information to off-campus students.

Administration

Institutional Response Team (IRT)
This task force consists of professionals representing a broad range of offices and expertise on campus, including the university police chief and the dean of students. The IRT meets monthly to monitor campus incidents and climate, and remains poised to respond in a variety of campus situations. In the event of an emergency, the IRT may call upon the Crisis Management Team (see below) to handle the immediate crisis and manage its aftermath.

Crisis Management Team (CMT)
In the event of an emergency, the Crisis Management Team carries out the Crisis Management Plan. This group, which includes representatives from the Office of the President and University Police, among others, oversees a variety of operations, such as crisis communications, information technology, and utility/facility restoration.