Policy Statement:
It is the policy of Wichita State University that all classes
(including
examination, lectures, and laboratories in progress) and activities on
campus will be officially suspended when the City of Wichita is
included
in an officially declared tornado warning. Faculty, staff,
students,
and visitors shall be instructed to seek appropriate shelter for the
duration
of the warning.
Definitions:
An officially declared tornado warning is defined as notification that
the City of Wichita (or all of Sedgwick County) is included in the
warning
area as confirmed by the National Weather service via a weather alert
radio,
AM/FM radio, an Emergency Building Coordinator, or the University
Police
Department.
An Emergency Building Coordinator is one or more persons per building on campus designated as such by a budget officer or budget review officer. The coordinator has the authority to instruct persons in the building to take shelter and direct them to the appropriate location.
Procedures:
The first indication of a tornado warning is frequently made by radio
or civil preparedness sirens. Persons who are not able to confirm
whether the Wichita area is included in the tornado warning by one of
the
means outlined above should proceed immediately to shelter upon hearing
the sirens. The University would rather have faculty, staff and
students
disrupt current activities than take any chances.
Emergency Building Coordinators will post signs on building entrance doors to notify persons arriving on campus to take shelter. University Relations will issue public statements indicating classes and events have been suspended during periods of time the City of Wichita is included in the tornado warning area.