Business Policies and Procedures Manual
WSU Vancouver Suspended Operations
BPPM 50.44
For more information contact:
WSU Vancouver Finance and Operations
360-546-9598
Overview
There are emergencies that may require the University to suspend some or all operations at the WSU Vancouver campus. (See also BPPM 50.40 for University-wide procedures regarding suspended operations.)
This section provides an overview of the procedures regarding evaluation of and response to emergencies that may affect WSU Vancouver. See the following BPPM sections for procedures for other WSU locations:
- BPPM 50.41 – WSU Pullman
- BPPM 50.42 – WSU Spokane
- BPPM 50.43 – WSU Tri-Cities
- BPPM 50.45 – WSU Off-Campus Locations
- BPPM 50.46 – WSU Everett
Moving Normal Operations to Suspended Operations
At the WSU Vancouver campus, the Chancellor or designee may move the campus from normal operations to suspended operations when an emergency is imminent or active.
When WSU Vancouver moves from normal to suspended operations, the presumption is that the University returns to normal operations the following day unless the Chancellor or designee communicates otherwise.
Students and employees should check VanCoug Alerts for the current status of suspended operations.
WSU Vancouver Triage Team
The WSU Vancouver triage team is responsible for providing pertinent information about the emergency to the triage team representative, the Director of WSU Vancouver Public Safety, who briefs the Chancellor.
The following positions, their alternates, and applicable emergency specialists serve as the triage team:
- Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities Services reports the condition of the campus.
- Director of Public Safety reports:
- The condition of state/county/city roads and emergency conditions;
- The status of Vancouver Transit System, if available; and
- The status of planned activities on the University calendar that may be affected.
- Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs reports any special academic situations (e.g., exam week), if applicable.
- Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations coordinates with other team members to make a report to the Chancellor.
- Other applicable emergency response resources as needed. See Types of Emergencies below.
Status of Emergency Conditions
The triage team representative calls and reports the status of emergency conditions to the Chancellor or designee, who determines whether WSU Vancouver continues in normal operations or moves to suspended operations.
Personnel Notified
If WSU Vancouver moves to suspended operations, the triage team representative notifies the following personnel:
- Public Safety; upon notification:
- Posts suspended operations information on the VanCoug Alerts website.
- Posts additional information on the WSU Vancouver Emergency Closure / Suspended Operations Procedure website.
- Notifies the campus community using the appropriate WSU system of communication. (See BPPM 50.40.)
- Marketing and Communications; upon notification:
- Manages internal and external communications.
- Notifies television and radio stations, external newspapers, and other media outlets as appropriate.
- Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
- Director of Human Resources
- Other applicable emergency response resources as needed. See Types of Emergencies below.
College/Department/Unit Responsibilities
All colleges, divisions, departments, and other operating units must develop Emergency Response Plans and Continuance of Operations Plans, in accordance with Executive Policy EP25 and BPPM 50.39. In addition to other Emergency Response and Continuity of Operations responsibilities, the purpose of these plans is to:
- Prepare for emergencies;
- Ensure that administrators, faculty, staff, and students are informed of the closure of offices within the area;
- Ensure that administrators, faculty, staff, and students are informed of the postponement of special events or activities; and
- Reinforce the communication of any decisions reached by the Chancellor or designee.
WSU Vancouver directors and vice chancellors are to exercise discretion in determining essential services and minimal staffing levels in accordance with BPPM 60.40 and applicable leave policies. Additional guidelines related to suspended operations are available from the Human Resource Services (HRS) Suspended Operations web page.
Limitations
The procedures above are not intended to cover all possible eventualities. The University administration assumes that the decision-making and relevant communications will be adapted, as appropriate, to suit the circumstances. The University administration does not assume that all individuals who may be coming to campus or on campus can be notified of a weather emergency.
Types of Emergencies
Various types of emergencies may occur at WSU Vancouver that could require differing responses and affect different units on campus.
Campus Conditions
The designated department personnel and triage team, based on University impact, presents University leadership with relevant information and updates regarding campus conditions, public safety, and applicable health impacts after an emergency.
Decision Timeline
As soon as possible before or during an emergency, University leadership make decisions about the operational status of the campus and related facilities. In the case of imminent danger to people and/or buildings (i.e., fire or active shooter), decisions are made after the affected area is secure and the scene is stable.
Applicable Suspended Operations Resources
The table below lists possible emergencies that may occur on the WSU Vancouver campus. Responsible WSU Vancouver department(s) and/or personnel that work with the triage team and keep University leadership abreast of the situation are identified in the table, along with other resources that may assist the triage team as needed.
Emergency | Responsible Dept. | Other Resources |
Inclement Weather | See Inclement Weather Procedures | |
Active Shooter | Dept. of Public Safety | Human Resource Svcs. and Counseling Svcs., and local law enforcement and EMS agencies |
Bomb Threat/Explosive Device | Dept. of Public Safety | Facilities, and local law enforcement agencies |
Fire | Facilities | EH&S, Public Safety, WSU Pullman Risk Mgmt. Svcs., and local law enforcement / fire depts. |
Wildfire Smoke | Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) | Facilities and Health Services |
Hazardous Materials – Biological/Radioactive Releases | EH&S | Facilities, Public Safety, Health Services, WSU Pullman Office of Research Assurances (ORA), and local response agencies |
Hazardous Materials – Chemical Releases | EH&S | Facilities, Public Safety, Health Services, WSU Pullman Office of Research Assurances (ORA), and local response agencies |
Public Health Communicable Disease | Dept. of Public Safety | Health Services, and local response agencies /public health officials |
Utility | Facilities Services | EH&S, Public Safety, WSU Pullman ORA, and local response agencies |
Inclement Weather Emergency
Campus Conditions
Designated personnel consult with professional weather information services and collect relevant information regarding campus conditions. The triage team representative provides the Chancellor with regular updates on campus conditions throughout the weather emergency.
Decision Timeline
While a weather emergency may be declared at any time if conditions necessitate it, the following are the most likely weather scenarios with target timelines for reaching decisions.
During Night or Early Morning Hours
If the inclement weather occurs during the night or early morning hours, the triage team reports pertinent information on the inclement weather event no later than 5:45 a.m. Such a report initiates the inclement weather procedures listed above. The triage team representative reports a summary of weather factors and operational concerns based on best available information to the Chancellor or designee no later than 6:00 a.m.
If there is advance warning of a potential weather event, the triage team representative notifies the triage team the previous evening to be on standby for a 5:45 a.m. call the following morning.
During the Day
If the inclement weather event occurs during the day, the triage team representative collects the pertinent weather information from the triage team and reports the information to the Chancellor or designee as soon as possible. Such a report initiates the inclement weather procedures listed above.
Evening Classes and Operations
If an inclement weather event is expected to affect evening classes and operations, a decision should be reached no later than 4:00 p.m. to allow time to provide appropriate notice.
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Revisions: May 2022 (Rev. 594); May 2014 – new policy (Rev. 431).