The nature of an emergency or disaster, either created by nature or humankind, is such that we cannot predict everything that might happen. In an effort to address some of the questions you might have, however, we've put together this list of questions and answers about how IU Bloomington has prepared and how you can be better prepared.

• In the event of an emergency, how will the campus communicate with students, faculty, staff, and parents?
• Will classes be canceled in anticipation of an emergency?
• What is the campus doing to prepare for an emergency?
• What can I do to prepare for an emergency or disaster?
• What should I do in the event of an emergency or disaster?
• What should I do if I see suspicious activities or behaviors?
• Are there counseling or psychological services available to help students cope with heightened stress and anxiety?
• What is being done to ensure the safety of IU students studying overseas?
• What resources and services are available to international students currently studying at IU?
• What if I'm a member of the Indiana military reserves and I'm called to active duty? How will my class registration and course work be handled?
• What does it mean to "shelter-in-place?"
• Is IU Bloomington a potential target for a terrorist attack?

Q: In the event of an emergency, how will the campus communicate with students, faculty, staff, and parents?

A: In case of an actual emergency, the campus will communicate by several means, including personal communication where appropriate. During critical incidents, IU faculty, staff and students will receive information and instructions directly through IU-Notify, an integrated e-mail, voice mail, and text messaging system.

Please note: It is important that you keep your contact information up-to-date in OneStart to ensure you can be reached via IU-Notify. Once you log in to OneStart, select the Notifications tab and then the IU-Notify link in the left sidebar. Once there, you can review and update your phone numbers and non-IU e-mail address. You can also add more information and choose to receive text alerts by adding your mobile phone number in the text field.

The campus will also communicate using the Indiana University Bloomington campus homepage (www.iub.edu) and the Indiana University Emergency Preparedness Web site (www.indianauniversity.info).

Due to possible technology service interruptions, your best source for immediate, minute-to-minute information will likely be broadcast messages on local television and radio. These include:

Radio

• WTTS 92.3 FM (our region's primary Emergency Alert System station)
• WFIU 103.7 FM (IU public radio)
• WBWB 96.7 FM
• WGCL 1370 AM
• WQRK 105.5 FM
• WFBQ 94.7 FM
• Weather radios using Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) are available at most electronics stores.

Television

• WRTV (Channel 6) ABC
• WISH (Channel 8) CBS
• WTHR (Channel 13) NBC
• WTIU (Channel 30) PBS
• WXIN (Channel 59) FOX
• Campus Cable Channel 2

Because the IU Police Department will be busy tending to any large-scale emergency that occurs, you should avoid calling them directly unless absolutely necessary. Call the campus status hotline at 812-855-9227 for a looped informational message with up-to-date information. If you reside outside the 812 area code, call toll free 1-877-482-5486 (1-877-IU-BLGTN).

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Q: Will classes be canceled in anticipation of an emergency?

A: It is highly unusual for classes to be canceled. The campus will continue to operate as usual unless specific, credible information is obtained indicating an increased risk to the IU community. This information will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by campus officials and relevant government agencies to determine the most appropriate course of action. Students, faculty, and staff should go about their normal activities unless directed otherwise.

You should always check the Indiana University Bloomington campus homepage (www.iub.edu) news headlines for the latest information.

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Q: What is the campus doing to prepare for an emergency?

A: In addition to establishing this emergency preparedness site to collect safety information in a central directory, the campus is:

• Adjusting security assignments accordingly for special events
• Working with campus offices to develop and disperse emergency action plans
• Identifying emergency contacts in buildings to lead others to safety
• Consulting with local, state, and national emergency management offices and agencies
• Conferring daily with local and federal law enforcement
• Establishing a toll-free line with up-to-date information in crisis situations
• Setting up an after-hours, emergency phone bridge for campus and community leaders
• Educating members of the campus community as to measures they can take to increase their personal security
• Educating students, staff, and faculty about things they can do to increase their personal security
• Requiring students enrolled in IU study abroad programs to carry cellular phones for easy accessibility
• Counseling students through our culture centers and the IU Health Center's Counseling and Psychological Services

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Q: What can I do to prepare for an emergency or disaster?

A: Your safety and the safety of the entire IU Bloomington community are our foremost concern. However, we do recognize that each individual must take personal responsibility for his or her own safety. Here are some things you can do to be prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster:

• Be aware of security conditions by monitoring news sources to learn of changes in the advisory system and specific areas of concern.
• Create a personal plan that includes a method for making contact with family and friends in the event of disaster.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Identify exits, life safety equipment, building shelter areas, and emergency telephones.
• Have emergency supplies available, such as first aid kits and non-perishable food and water.
• Keep your automobile fuel tank full or nearly so.
• Be prepared for either an evacuation or to take shelter where you are.
• Avoid unsafe conditions due to overcrowding, poor lighting, or limited emergency exits.
• Report suspicious activity, packages, or conditions to your local law enforcement.

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Q: What should I do in the event of an emergency or disaster?

A: You should:

• Remain calm, be patient, use common sense, think before you act, and give assistance as needed.
• Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
• Closely monitor news reports and emergency alert systems for news and instructions.
• Keep ready access to your medicines and phone numbers.
• Avoid crowded public areas.
• If an attack occurs, stay away from the area.
• Know where emergency devices are located and the location of at least two emergency exits close to your living/working area.
• Make sure to have access to an adequate first aid kit.

You should not:

• Use the telephone (landline or cellular) except to report the emergency situation.
• Use elevators.
• Jeopardize your life or the lives of others by attempting to save personal or university property.
• Light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches.

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Q: What should I do if I see suspicious activities or behaviors?

A: Please be alert and report any criminal incident, suspicious behavior, or improper security activity to the IU Police Department by dialing 9-911 from any campus phone or (812) 855-4111 if you are off campus. You can dial 911 to reach the Bloomington Police from a cellular or non-university phone.

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Q: Are there counseling or psychological services available to help students cope with heightened stress and anxiety?

A: Yes. IU's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), located in the campus Health Center, offers individual counseling and psychiatric consultation. Our staff members are professional social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Their specialized training and experience prepare them to deal with the wide range of issues faced by university students.

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Q: What is being done to ensure the safety of IU students studying overseas?

A: The safety of students in our overseas study program is our highest priority, and we are taking all reasonable and feasible precautions so that students in our programs have safe experiences abroad. Still we realize the current international situation may be causing concern; we do have emergency plans in place for responding to any crises that should arise. The IU Office of Overseas Study will continue to monitor information from the U.S. Department of State and other official sources, to communicate with the program staff, and to stay in touch with students and their families and friends. For more information, visit the Office of Overseas Study or call (812) 855-9304.

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Q: What resources and services are available to international students currently studying at IU?

A: There are currently 3,700 international students studying at IU Bloomington, and we are committed to preserving their welfare, safety, security, and comfort. Our Office of International Services should be considered the first source of information on immigration status, travel warnings, campus resources, and current announcements. IU Bloomington is a place of diversity with an exceptionally strong community spirit. We are proud of our safe and civil community. The entire IU Bloomington community, and the Office of International Services in particular, are ready and available to be of assistance and support to our international students in the days and weeks to come.

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Q: What if I'm a member of the Indiana military reserves and I'm called to active duty? How will my class registration and course work be handled?

A: IU has a policy for reserves called to active duty in place already, in order to minimize disruptions and inconveniences for students fulfilling their military responsibilities.

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Q: What does it mean to "shelter-in-place?"

A: There are situations when it's simply best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside, a process known as "shelter-in-place." Use available information to assess the situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to take this kind of action.

• Lock doors and close windows and air vents.
• Turn off fans, air conditioning, and forced air heating systems.
• Go into an interior room with few windows, if possible.
• Seal all windows, doors, and air vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape. Consider measuring and cutting the sheeting in advance to save time.
• Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to seal gaps so that you create a barrier between yourself and any contamination.
• University and local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

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Q: Is IU Bloomington a potential target for a terrorist attack?

A: There have been no specific threats or information regarding IU Bloomington. Nonetheless, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (in a statement made to a Senate committee in February 2003) has warned of possible terrorist attacks against colleges and universities, saying that institutions of higher education could be considered as "soft targets."

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