Section 1: Purpose and Scope

1.1         Purpose: To ensure timely, accurate, and transparent communication during emergencies or crises that impact the university community.

1.2         Scope: This plan applies to all types of crises, including natural disasters, public health emergencies, campus safety threats, and reputational issues.

Section 2: Objectives

• To provide accurate, factual, and timely information to students, employees and the public in crisis/time critical circumstances.
• To ensure that messages delivered during a crisis are consistent with the values and mission of West Liberty University.
• To ensure that official communications from West Liberty University are uninterrupted, regardless of circumstances.

Section 3: Procedures

3.1         Leadership & Authority: The university’s designated Critical Incident Response Team will coordinate all messaging. The President or designee will serve as the primary spokesperson.

• Communication Channels: Information may be shared through multiple channels including:
• University website and emergency page
• Email and text alerts
• Social media platforms
• Local media outlets
• Campus signage and announcements

3.3         Activation: The plan is activated when a crisis is declared by university leadership or emergency personnel.

3.4         Key Actions

• Notify affected groups promptly
• Issue public statements as needed
• Coordinate with emergency services and internal departments
• Monitor media and social media for misinformation
• Provide regular updates until the crisis is resolved

3.5         Post-Crisis Review: After the crisis, the CIRT team will evaluate the communication response and update procedures as needed.