Campus News
Resources and guidance for classroom emergency preparedness
Dear Instructors, Creating a physically safe environment where education can thrive requires information and planning. Because emergencies can happen unexpectedly in the classroom, we want to be sure all instructors feel prepared to respond should an emergency occur. As part of ongoing efforts to support instructors and promote classroom preparedness, the Office of the Campus […]
Dear Instructors,
Creating a physically safe environment where education can thrive requires information and planning. Because emergencies can happen unexpectedly in the classroom, we want to be sure all instructors feel prepared to respond should an emergency occur. As part of ongoing efforts to support instructors and promote classroom preparedness, the Office of the Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor is introducing additional emergency resources and guidance for instructional spaces. This initiative was made possible through a joint effort with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). I am deeply grateful for their collaboration and dedication for making this happen.
Our goal is to provide instructors with clear and practical information for responding to emergency situations in instructional settings. As a part of an effort by TLC and OEM to provide emergency preparedness training in 2024, the following resources were made available to instructors:
- Faculty Emergency Preparedness Guide
- Recorded video presentation on Classroom emergency preparedness
Additionally, a new web page has been launched for classroom emergency information for faculty, instructors, and teaching assistants. The page includes sample syllabi language, a slide deck for talking with students about classroom emergencies, and other guidance for responding to classroom emergencies.
Over the coming months, the campus will be implementing several new measures, including:
- Classroom signage with quick-reference information about evacuation routes and responding to different emergency situations
- Posted guidance for instructors at classroom podiums
- Regular quarterly reminders and preparedness information for instructors
- Template Emergency preparedness presentation for instructors to go over the first week of class, geared to orienting instructors and students to the specifics of a new classroom
While these measures are scheduled to fully roll out by the Fall Quarter 2026, I encourage all instructors to familiarize themselves with emergency exits and evacuation zones for the current classrooms in which they teach and to share that information with students as appropriate.
Thank you for your partnership in helping maintain safe and prepared learning environments for our students and instructors.
Sincerely,
Paul
Paul Koch
Interim Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor