Homeland Security

Homeland Security and Campus Emergency Preparedness

SECTION: 1.00.86 Homeland Security and Campus Emergency Preparedness Policy

Board Policy

Preamble

The world changed significantly on September 11, 2001. We remain a nation at risk of terrorist attacks and will remain so for the foreseeable future. As a university, we must be properly prepared, vigilant, and ready to respond to any threat to the safety and security of Southern University (SUS) campuses and community. In response to different advisory conditions, the various police departments within the SUS are changed to maintain a high level of vigilance. The departments are working closely with local and federal law enforcement officials, as well as parish and state emergency preparedness officials, concerning the safety and security of persons and property within the SUS. SUS entities shall seriously prepare for instances emanating from the convergence of terrorism and cyber terrorism, in order to respond to unlawful attacks and threats of attack against computers and other components of our technology infrastructure by those attempting to intimidate or coerce a government and/or people in furtherance of political or social objectives.

In recognition of the above, we are charged with the safety of students, faculty and staff and express our concern and authorize each campus to adopt security rules and regulations specific to its needs. Therefore, The Homeland Security and the Campus Emergency Preparedness Policy require that all departments/units at all campuses must develop emergency plans for their area. The System expressly directs each system institution to provide advisement and orientation to beginning freshmen each academic semester regarding guidelines for academic safety. Students shall have access to systemwide security procedures via website and use of other literature to peruse the comprehensive policy regarding safety in the event of heightened hostile and terrorist activity/climates. Therefore, each campus, considering its topography, shall, in compliance with this System direction, be authorized to provide emergency information specific to the special needs of its postsecondary clientele (i.e. students, faculty, staff and university).

Emergency Plans shall contain information relative to a location specific emergency, such as fire or bomb threats or scares, as well as contingency plant to maintain essential business functions and services during an emergency situation. Contingency plans shall identify the staff, resources and supplies needed for this purpose. Emergency situations may arise from severe weather or natural disaster, mass casualty, fire, bomb threats and acts of terrorism, or other events.

Security Plans shall also be developed by each campus for the security of information and information systems. The security plans developed in this regard shall consider that improving information security is critical to the operations, reputation, and economic stability of each campus and the system. It is imperative that procedures are in place to insure greater privacy protection of sensitive information and security of all channels through which this information is delivered

Therefore, this policy is adopted as a guideline to be used to develop plans to address various types of emergencies that could possible occur on SUS campuses. These plans must be constantly reviewed and updated in response to heightened security levels.

APPROVED: 11/28/08

 

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