Community health crises in the area surrounding the University may take several forms, such as food poisoning, mass exposure to toxic substances, and epidemics. When students and staff are involved, the operation of the University could be severely impacted. In the event of a community health crisis, close coordination needs to take place between the University, county, and state public health authorities and agencies such as the American Red Cross.

The scope and type of community health crises that may affect the University will depend on the situation. The Director of University Health Services will be the Situation Coordinator for all community health crises that may affect the University. The Situation Coordinator will provide advice to the Vice President for Student Affairs on the implementation of the Crisis Management Team.

When community health issues may impact the routine operations of the University the Director of University Health Services will:

• Notify the Vice President for Student Affairs who will direct further notifications of other University Division Vice Presidents and the University President
• Notify the Director, Counseling Center
• Notify the Police Shift Supervisor On Duty
• Notify the Director, On Line and News Information
• Notify Director, Office of Environmental Safety and Health
• Initiate contact with the appropriate county or state public health agencies handling or monitoring the situation.
• Determine if exposure to Communicable Diseases may be involved.
• Assemble staff and prepare a preliminary University response plan for discussion with the Crisis Management Team, if the team is activated.
• Draft a campus-wide email for distribution to the campus community. Forwarding the email campus-wide will be completed after approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Director of OnLine and News Information