Crisis Management Plan

The purpose of the following is to delineate procedures for the response of faculty, staff, and students to a variety of crises that might occur at the Johns Hopkins University.

The following procedures are primarily directed toward members of Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) , Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) and associated members of the Homewood Community (e.g., HSA, RAS, Facilities Management, MSEL, and Security). Given the physical co-location of the two schools and the various shared responsibilities and activities, a joint Crisis Management Plan is presented on behalf of both divisions. Site-specific crisis management plans for the satellite locations of KSAS and WSE exist separately, although those sites are included in the chart accompanying this report that details how communication should flow for all situations.

It is not a useful exercise to attempt to define the possible array of events that would constitute a crisis. Events that have a significant impact on the ability of faculty, staff, and students to carry out their assigned functions at JHU are of concern. It is expected that common sense will serve as a guide and when in doubt, everyone is encouraged to contact appropriate authorities (as described below) for guidance.

The Homewood Crisis Communication Flow Chart (PDF) illustrates the flow of procedures for appropriate action in the event of a crisis. Key individuals for each of the two divisions are provided in the order they should be contacted to report a crisis or seek further guidance. Individuals faced with the need to respond to a crisis should identify the general type of emergency they face from the broad categories summarized in the squares on the chart and then contact the appropriate individuals in the connected circles. Also detailed are the contacts who will alert the rest of the university community, including the University Response Team (CRT).

Crisis Management Plan (PDF)

Communication Trees:
It is the responsibility of each academic department and research center to develop procedures to ensure that their faculty, staff, and students are contacted as necessary. Use the Communication Trees below for contact information and ensure that all appropriate individuals are alerted.

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences Communication Tree (PDF)
Whiting School of Engineering Communication Tree (PDF)

As detailed in The Homewood Crisis Communication Flow Chart , it is not the intent of divisions to contact external authorities. It is anticipated that when external authorities need to be contacted it will be done via the CRT. The responsibility for initiating communication with the news media will be handled by the CRT.

When crises occur, they will offer an opportunity for re-evaluation of the plan. Subsequent to each crisis, the individual division will evaluate the performance of their faculty, staff, and students in light of the directives of the plan. The appropriate Dean will review with those involved the cause, nature, and extent of the crisis. Particular attention and discussion will focus on the Crisis Management Plan and its appropriateness as a guide for handling the crisis. As necessary, the Associate Dean, in consultation with the Divisional Crisis Response Officer (DCRO), will make recommendations for modifications of the plan. Regardless, the Dean will provide the DCRO with a written summary, review and recommendations relative to the event.

Periodically, the DCRO will review and summarize the salient themes of prior crisis reviews for distribution and discussion at a divisional Chairs' Meeting. It is important to recognize that success of the plan is dependent on the appropriate judgment and response of the individuals involved. To the extent possible, the DCRO will need to evaluate if the plan was adequate to satisfactorily resolve the crisis. In those instances that it is not, it will be the responsibility of the DCRO to re-evaluate and modify the plan.

Each division will review its crisis management plan in June of each year. At that time the respective communication trees will be updated and all contact numbers verified. It is also suggested that the individuals in charge of the divisional plans meet on an annual basis for a case study review of best and worst practices.

This document will be updated following periodic review.

For questions on the Crisis Management Plan, contact :

Krieger School
of Arts and Sciences
Jeffrey Grossi
(410) 516-8511
jgrossi@jhu.edu

Whiting School of Engineering
Alison Wampler
(410) 516-6846
awampler@jhu.edu