UTMB HANDBOOK OF OPERATING PROCEDURES

Section 7 Student Policies Subject 7.1 Student Services and Activities Policy 7.1.8 Student Release During Emergency Weather

05/20/93 -Originated 05/15/01 -Reviewed w/ changes -Reviewed w/o changes Council of Deans -Author

Student Release During Adverse Conditions

Audience

This policy is for all students attending classes on the campus of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Policy

During adverse conditions, the safety of students who may be in classes on Galveston Island, or who may be planning to travel to Galveston to attend classes, is a primary concern. Except in rare instances where students are also employees, they are not involved in the operations of the institution. Therefore, there is no necessity for their presence in emergency weather conditions. All UTMB students will be released from all classes of all schools within the institution when the City of Galveston enters a Hurricane Watch or during other adverse conditions declared by the Institutional Emergency Preparedness Officer (IEPO).

Implementation

An official announcement of class dismissal will be made by the chief academic officer at the time the decision is made to implement this policy. Students are not dismissed until the time of that official announcement.

Release of Students

The dismissal of students at the beginning of a Hurricane Watch is not an indication of school closure. Students should not expect to use UTMB facilities as a shelter for themselves or their dependents during an emergency.

Monitoring Emergency Status

The Office of University Advancement (OUA), will provide regular condition updates via the following: o UTMB Alert Line (409) 77-ALERT (ext. 25378) or toll-free (888) 772-5449 o www2.utmb.edu/severe_weather/advisory.htm