The Crisis Communications Plan is receiving changes because of crises that have affected LSU and increased safety risks in the past few years, according to an LSU official.
A serial killer in Baton Rouge, as well as two hurricanes that caused campus to shut down two times in two weeks last fall are particular events that helped bring about a change in the plan, said Kristine Calongne, assistant director of Media Relations.
Students and faculty depend on the Office of University Relations to collect and convey information to the public during or immediately following an emergency that affects the campus, according to the LSU Web site.
University Relations wants to make sure that all departments and organizations are aware of safety measures that need to be taken during a crisis, as well as what can be done on a regular basis to promote safety on different parts of campus, Calongne said.
Under the new plan, the Crisis Team is being expanded to include a more diverse representation of the campus community. Representatives from Res Life, the LSUPD, the Student Health Center and the Athletic Department are some who will be on the committee that meets in the case of an emergency, Calongne said.
University Relations acts as a communicator. They “coordinate crisis communications with campus and off-campus media,” the LSU Web site said.
When an emergency situation arises, University Relations Executive Director Gene Sands meets with Chancellor Mark Emmert and other administrators to decide on what actions to take, Calongne said.
“When a press conference is called, the executive director and media relations director will attend, as well as a third party who will phone information to the Office of University Relations as soon as it becomes available,” the LSU Web site said.
The information passed along from the third party reaches the media and thus the public more quickly.
Emmert will speak at a press conference “when a major crisis needs to be announced or when he wishes to issue updates on the situation,” the LSU Web site said.
During a crisis, Media Relations is constantly up to date with the latest information surrounding the event. This information is provided to the public via the news media as it comes in, the LSU Web site said.
Once a decision is made, Media Relations is notified, and the Crisis Team there sends out press releases and media advisories where local newspapers and TV and radio stations can relay the situation to the public, Calongne said.
Students and faculty are notified through broadcast e-mail, The Reveille and LSU Today, Calongne said.
When an emergency situation occurs, the Crisis Team meets at a designated place, Calongne said. It is here that representatives from various departments can be interviewed about how their specific area is being affected.
Calongne hopes the new plan will eventually list possible crises that could occur on campus so the office can practice and test their plans.
Although some situations need plans tailored to fit the scenario, it will help to be prepared, Calongne said.
After a crisis has ended, the University Relations reviews how it handled the situation in order to learn more about how to handle emergencies in the future, Calongne said.
“Examples of such a situation include explosions, chemical spills from a railroad boxcar, a sniper in a central location such as the Memorial Tower, a hostage situation, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes,” the LSU Web site said.