DRAFT For students and parents

Tulane Today aggregates hurricane-related content for members of the Tulane community. The following links include information from our partners at the offices of the President, the Provost, the Chief Operating Officer, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Campus Services, Student Affairs, and Human Resources and Institutional Equity. They do not reflect information relevant to individual departments or individual employee roles during campus emergencies. Tulane employees should communicate with their department supervisor for specific information.

The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR)

What OEPR does:

• Prepares, helps prevent, and responds to incidents at the university
• Emergency planning for all campuses of the entire university
• Takes an all-hazards approach to emergency planning
• Conducts emergency preparedness trainings and exercises for students, faculty and staff

In the event of an emergency OEPR will notify the Tulane community through various methods:

• Text messages, phone calls and emails. Make certain your cell phone number is up to date on Gibson online.
• Another way you can get OEPR notifications is through the Everbridge app. It is free and can be downloaded from the Google and iTunes app stores. You will use your Tulane credentials to login to the app.
• An additional way OEPR can alert you is through a system called ALERTUS. ALERTUS will put a message up on your computer screen. You can download ALERTUS from the OEPR website under the Additional Resources tab.

To learn more about OEPR visit their website, follow them on social media or email them at emergencyprep@tulane.edu.

Other important places to get current information are Tulane’s emergency website, where emergency notices are posted, and following Tulane on social media. You can follow Tulane and TulaneEmergency on Twitter, Tulane and TulaneEmergency on Facebook and TulaneEmergency on Instagram.

Hurricane specific information:

Hurricane Evacuation

When a storm forms in the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, the university will be monitoring the storm and its projected path. Periodic updates will be sent to the university community about the storm, even before it is close to Louisiana.

If the university decides to close and evacuate you will need to activate your personal evacuation plan. Students who live in residence halls are required to submit a personal evacuation plan. If you need to make changes to your plan visit the Housing Portal and select “Update PEP” from the drop-down menu. If you live on campus, you must complete the online HRL evacuation form before you leave. A link to the form will be published in the event of evacuation.

Information about the evacuation will be on Tulane’s emergency website and social media. Be sure to check these frequently for updates and important information, such as closure time, information about classes, and where to meet the university shuttle going to the airport.

If you are flying out be sure to buy and print your airline ticket before you get on the shuttle. When the university decides to close and evacuate no one will be allowed to stay on campus. When you evacuate be certain to bring your essentials:

• Clothes
• Medications
• Toiletries
• Emergency contact card
• Government issued ID
• Splash Card
• Electronic devices and their chargers
• Personal items

Once you evacuate be sure to continue monitoring your email, the university emergency website and Tulane social media for updates about the university’s operating status and reopening schedule. Even though the university will be closed you may still have course assignments to turn in. So, you should continue checking with your professors and on Canvas.

Remember, hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30.

Shelter in Place

What does shelter in place mean?

Sheltering in place occurs during a weather-related incident that may pose a threat to campus safety. Sheltering in place is not the same as lockdown. A lockdown would be used in the event of an active shooter situation, a chemical release, bomb threat or tornado.

When a decision is made to shelter in place, you’ll get an email. The university’s emergency website will also be updated with this notification. During a shelter in place the welfare, care, safety and security of our students and essential personnel who remain on campus are our top priority.

How long will shelter in place last?

Remain patient. When campus is closed for a shelter in place event, access and movement around campus may be restricted for your safety. During this time access to campus may be limited; hours of operation for some university offices and buildings may be limited; and students who live on campus may need to remain in their residence halls for a certain amount of time as a safety precaution. Your resident advisor will tell you when you can move around campus. Check the university web pages for updated hours of operation for places like the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life, libraries, the Reily Center and shuttles and transportation.

Does this mean all classes are cancelled?

This depends upon the situation. Some factors that may influence class cancellation include professor preference, online course schedule, or things of that nature.

The provost will communicate when classes will be canceled. This information will also be posted on the university’s emergency web page. You should also check Canvas for announcements from your professors about possible syllabus adjustments. Remember, just because we are in as shelter in place, it doesn’t mean your assignments may not be due.

How do you prepare for shelter in place?

To prepare for a shelter in place you should be sure that you have enough supplies to last several days:

• Non-perishable food
• Bottled water
• Flashlights and batteries or glow sticks
• Medications that you may need in your residence hall room or off-campus residence
• If you have a pet or service animal - food, water and any medications necessary for them

You should make sure that your phone, laptop and other devices are fully charged in the event of a power outage. Make certain to keep your electronic device chargers and a portable power bank on hand to recharge your devices. Also have cash on hand in case there is a power outage and you are unable to use your debit or credit cards.

Will you still be able to eat on campus?

During a shelter in place event the dining options on campus will be limited; however, the Commons will remain open. It may have reduced hours and it might have a limited menu. The hours will be posted online, so you can check to see the current operating status. Be sure you have any food that you prefer or may need in case you get hungry during a period the Commons is closed.

How can you stay informed?

Check for updates on social media pages, your email and the Tulane emergency website. You’ll also be informed via email when the shelter in place event is over. This announcement will also be posted on the university’s emergency website, as well as social media. Remember to check the sources below for up-to-date information:

Tulane Emergency website: tulane.edu/emergency

OEPR website: emergencyprep.tulane.edu

Social Media –

Facebook - @TulaneEmergency and @Tulane

Twitter - @TulaneEmergency and @Tulane

Instagram - @TulaneEmergency

Additional resources:  OEPR’s Hurricane Guide for Students

For Parents

Information to come on Summer 2022 emergency webinar.