20.21 / Emergency Response and Evacuation

1. Purpose

   Wichita State University is committed to the safety of its community, as well as compliance with state and federal law. This policy sets forth guidelines for the issuance of timely warnings, safety alerts, and emergency notifications at the University.

2. Timely Warning

   1. Wichita State University is responsible for issuing timely warnings in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).

   2. Timely warnings provide timely and relevant information that will enable members of the community to protect themselves and will include information that promotes safety and aids in the prevention of similar crimes. These warnings will include pertinent information about the crime that triggered the warning.

   3. University employees designated as Campus Security Authorities must promptly report Clery Act crimes to University Police. Decisions to issue a warning are made on a case-by-case basis by considering all available facts.

   4. A timely warning will be issued for all reportable Clery Act crimes when (1) the crime occurs within the University's Clery Act geography; and (2) the crime is reported to Campus Security Authorities or local police agencies; and (3) the crime is considered to represent a serious or continuing threat to the campus community.

   5. Timely warnings will be issued by and must be approved by a representative from at least two of the following entities: (1) University Police Department; (2) Strategic Communications; or (3) General Counsel.

   6. Timely warnings are created through the Rave system and sent via text or email to an official Wichita State University email address.

   7. Timely warnings are only issued in response to the occurrence of crimes specified in the Clery Act. Other dangers to the campus community are addressed through a safety alert or an emergency notification.

3. Safety Alert

   Safety Alerts are notifications of offenses where a timely warning is not required. These may be directed to a certain portion of the University community to alert of a non-Clery reportable offense. Also, Safety Alerts may be used to solicit information from the public to assist in identifying suspects or information that assists with investigative efforts. Safety Alerts are issued at the discretion of the University Police Department.

4. Emergency Notification

   1. The safety of students, staff, faculty, and visitors is a paramount concern, especially during an emergency. However, not all reports of concerning information warrant a timely warning under the Clery Act or a Safety Alert. Rather, some information will be distributed to the campus community via an emergency notification.

   2. The use of the emergency notification system provides for the rapid dissemination of time-sensitive information to enhance the safety and security of the University community during an emergency and to relay timely information to spouses/parents/guardians of University community members.

   3. The University will issue an emergency notification upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees. An 'immediate' threat as used here includes an imminent or impending threat, such as (but not limited to) an approaching fire, or a fire currently burning in a University building, the outbreak of meningitis, norovirus or other serious illness, approaching tornado or other extreme weather condition, earthquake, gas leak, terrorist incident, armed intruder, active shooter, bomb threat, civil unrest or rioting, explosion or nearby chemical or hazardous waste spill.

   4. The University Police Department is responsible for the management of the emergency notification systems. WSU Information Technology Services will provide technical support and assistance as required.

(See also Crisis Management Planning and Preparedness at Section 20.02 of this manual.)