When faced with a critical incident, Rush University will distribute pertinent information via the following: text alert, email, on-campus voicemail, listserv, radio and/or the website.
All students, faculty and staff should be signed up for the emergency alert system.
Students, faculty and staff should regularly update their contact information in the RU-Alert System to ensure inclusion in all emergency alerts and notifications.
Alert notifications – potential types
Weather closing
Facility closure
Timely warning of criminal activity or threat to safety and security
Emergency alert: general or specific to a targeted area of campus
Emergency situation: potential danger
All clear: return to business as usual
Media information and Office of Public Relations
All inquiries from the media should be forwarded to the Office of Public Relations.
Rush University will designate an official spokesperson that external media will have access to in the event of an emergency or crisis situation.
Rush University will designate an area for official media interactions.
Concerns for dissemination of information
It is critically important to have a designated point of contact with the media to ensure accurate, consistent information.
It is important to have a safe area designated for the media, as not to interfere with ongoing operations.
Faculty/staff need to be aware that any comment given could be taken out of context and jeopardize the University’s position.
During an event, the exchange of information is dynamic and its accuracy could be affected by real-time events. Operations is responsible for maintaining the flow of up-to-date information.
Make students aware that they can also refer inquiries to the Office of Public Relations and are not required to comment to media.