Urgent Communications - The Ohio State University

A. The FBI has issued a statement that all colleges and universities are at risk as soft targets, but it is unlikely that a terrorist attack would occur on our campus or in this city.

2) Q. What does the Orange Alert status mean to the university?

A. The Homeland Security Advisory System is a means to disseminate information regarding the risks of terrorist acts in the United States. Threat levels are graduated in response to threat conditions and are color-coded and include:

Low = Green
Guarded = Blue
Elevated = Yellow
High = Orange
Severe = Red

For the university, this means that Ohio State safety officials carefully monitor information from a variety of sources (federal, state, local) and modify campus security precautions as appropriate for the particular threat level and relevance to our situation. For obvious reasons, we do not wish to disclose the exact steps taken, but they do include such things as increased police patrols, building lockdowns, package searches, etc. For more information, visit http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/index.jsp.

3) Q. I know the university has taken extra security precautions, but what preparations should I make?

A. First, try to keep things in perspective -- there is no known specific evidence that Ohio State is at special risk of terrorist attacks. However, an extra level of prudence is a good idea, so the following steps are encouraged:

Familiarize yourself with your building or department's emergency communications and evacuation plans. Know where elevators, exit routes, and safe areas are within your building. This is also good advice as the severe weather and tornado season approaches.
Know the location of fire alarms and fire extinguishers.
Lock offices and residence hall rooms whenever unattended. This also helps prevent theft.
Immediately report to University Police any suspicious persons or activities, packages, containers or vehicles, signs of break-ins or attempted unauthorized entries, unusual odors or substances (call 292-2121).
Monitor news reports.
Have a plan to communicate with your family in case of an emergency.

We are not advising you to make any additional preparations, but if concerns still exist, you can also visit http://www.ready.gov to view a readiness plan released by the federal government.

4) Q. Is there anything else I should know?

A. Now that the United States is involved in an international conflict, you are advised to:

Anticipate greater travel delays and restrictions.
Be prepared for searches of purses, bags, packages, and book-packs in some situations, such as large gatherings; avoid leaving these items unattended.
Expect restricted access to some public buildings, especially federal buildings and monuments.
Review the State Department's web site before traveling internationally http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html In addition, you may obtain travel safety materials and information before your trip from University Security Services, 292-7677.
Avoid passing unsubstantiated information or rumors that could cause a panic.

5) Q. How will I know if the university closes?

A. The university rarely closes, but if university officials determine that it is necessary to close the university, then notification will be provided via e-mail, the OSU web site (http://www.osu.edu), radio (NPR820 WOSU-AM is a good choice), and television, including channel 16, the Campus Information channel for those who have UNITS cable television. Because some emergencies can affect communication channels, it is important that you consider each of these options when seeking information. You may want to monitor more than one communication source. These are the same procedures used during weather or other campus emergencies.

In the event of a university closing, essential personnel from Student Affairs, Physical Facilities, and the Medical Center must still report to work. You should talk with your supervisor to determine if your responsibilities are classified as essential.

6) Q. Does the hospital ever close?

A. The hospital always remains open. Again, in the event of a university-wide closing, essential personnel from the Medical Center must report to work. Contact your supervisor if you are unclear as to whether this includes you.

7) Q. Where should students and faculty/staff go in case of an emergency?

A. Not every emergency would affect the entire campus. In a situation in which all campus operations are interrupted due to a deliberate act, there is no single place that would accommodate everyone in a safe environment during an evacuation. In this type of emergency, instructions for evacuation or relocation will be provided via e-mail, the OSU web site (http://www.osu.edu), radio (NPR820 WOSU-AM), and television, including channel 16, the Campus Information channel for those who have UNITS cable television. Because some emergencies can affect communication channels, it is important that you consider each of these options when seeking information. You may want to monitor more than one communication source. If the emergency is confined to your building or area, then you should follow the instructions from emergency personnel or from your building coordinator – both will know evacuation procedures for your building.

8) Q. How can my family contact me in an emergency?

A. Communication channels can become overloaded in emergency situations when circuits for phone lines, e-mail, cellular phones, and pagers typically experience higher levels of traffic as family members try to contact one another. Because certain communication channels may become unavailable in an emergency, we suggest that you make a communication plan with your family now. Establish whom you will contact and how, as well as a backup in case that person is unreachable, or the method is not working. When the emergency occurs, you should periodically attempt to reach this person until you are successful. Once you have done so, ask him/her to contact others as needed -- a family calling tree -- so that you do not overburden communication resources. Having a calling tree in advance can help avoid the confusion that could occur during an actual emergency. You should also advise family members to check the http://www.osu.edu site for accurate information about conditions at Ohio State.

Information for International Students

9) Q. Are there university offices or departments that can offer information or assistance?

A. Two offices provide excellent resources for international students.

The Office of International Education promotes cross-cultural understanding and an appreciation for diversity by providing programs, services and written materials for international students and scholars. It also serves as the focal point on campus to organize, coordinate, and integrate diversified areas of responsibility on the campus and in the community to respond to the needs of international students, scholars, and their families; For more information, visit http://www.oie.ohio-state.edu/office_info/mission.asp or call 292-6101.
In times of crisis, the Multicultural Center acts as a clearinghouse for cultural and cross-cultural programming and services centering on cultural concerns. The center recognizes cultural differences, respects cultural uniqueness, and facilitates cross-cultural interaction, learning, and appreciation. For more information, visit http://multiculturalcenter.osu.edu/ or call 688-8449.

If you are threatened or harassed, then you should contact University Police immediately, 292-2121.

Support Services

10) Q. Who can I talk to if I am feeling anxious, stressed, or troubled about world events, or other issues that may be affecting me?

A. The university has many excellent support services for faculty, students, and staff:

The University Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (UFSAP) is a confidential counseling service for people experiencing some form of personal distress, which may interrupt or cause deterioration in work performance. Services are voluntary, free and confidential, and include problem assessment, referral services, and short-term counseling. For more information, visit http://www.osumhcs.com/faculty/ufsap.asp or call 292-4472.

Counseling and Consultation Services offers students confidential crisis services as well as counseling and psychiatric services. Limited urgent hours are available each day to speak with a counselor about a matter that cannot wait. Services are free to all currently enrolled OSU students; dependents covered by Student Health Insurance are eligible for services with a co-payment. For more information, visit http://www.ccs.ohio-state.edu/index.htm, or call 292-5766.
The Office of International Education offers the students and visiting scholars the chance to speak with advisors who deal with non-academic issues. The office also offers forums for students to discuss their thoughts, feelings, or concerns about the world situation in a safe and supportive environment. For more information, visit http://www.oie.ohio-state.edu/office_info/mission.asp or call 292-6101

Discrimination/Harassment

11) Q. What should I do if I'm being harassed or threatened?

A. If you are experiencing threats or harassment, you are advised to report the incident immediately to University Police at 292-2121.

If you are experiencing violence, or believe the incident to be an emergency, you can

Dial 9-1-1 from any campus telephone.
Use one of the 105 blue emergency phones around campus; simply press the call button to be connected with a police dispatcher.

While contacting the police is the recommended step, we realize that some persons may be very uncomfortable or reluctant to do so. As a first contact, you may prefer to talk with staff in offices such as International Education, Human Resources, Student Judicial Affairs, the Multicultural Center, Student Advocacy, and Counseling and Consultation Services. They can refer you to resources and assist in contacting the police if that is what you ultimately decide to do. If you do contact University Police first, you should know they might also refer the incident to these offices for further review.

12) Q. What if my professor is making political statements in class that make me uncomfortable -- or I think I am being punished gradewise for my views?

A. It is a goal of the university to create an environment mindful of academic freedom and individual liberties, including freedom of speech, assembly, and petition. In such an environment, it is not unusual for faculty to challenge students' perceptions and opinions as part of the educational process, and it is entirely possible that some discussions might make you uncomfortable.

If you believe that you are being singled-out because of your views, then you might talk with the professor to explain how these discussions make you feel. It is quite possible that your professor sees the situation differently, so the two of you might have to agree to disagree.” However, if you feel discussions are interfering with the teaching and learning of the core subject matter as defined in the class syllabus, then you should speak to the instructor. Contacting the department chair and/or the college dean would be the next step if you do not believe your concerns are addressed appropriately.

It is never acceptable for a professor to alter your grades, or punish you in any other way, because of your views. If you feel subjected to this sort of conduct, you should contact the department chair and/or the college dean as soon as possible.

Military Call-Up

13) Q. I'm a student in the military reserve and may be called up any time -- how do I withdraw from classes, get refunds, terminate my lease, etc.?

A. The Student Advocacy Center will assist students called to active duty. The Center can answer your questions, direct you to appropriate departments, and give you general guidance on university policies and procedures. Student Advocacy will assist with all details associated with leaving the university, as well as serving as your first point of contact upon return. For more information, visit http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/student_advocacy/ or call 292-1111. Other useful information may be found at http://www.osu.edu/osutoday/0202/milserve.html.

14) Q. What support services exist for faculty and staff who are called to military duty?

A. The Office of Veterans Affairs, which supports all faculty and staff veterans, will assist those who have been called to active duty. Like the Student Advocacy Center, this office will answer questions, direct faculty and staff to appropriate departments, and provide guidance on university policies and procedures. The web site, http://hr.osu.edu/vet/home.htm, contains a link called What to Do if you are Called to Duty” http://hr.osu.edu/events/calltoduty.htm. Or you can call 292-7047 for more information.

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