Personnel representing all divisions of Worcester State University including, but not limited to, University Police, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, University Technology, Administration and Finance, and Facilities comprise the Incident Management Team. The campus’ response prior, during, and after an incident will be conducted within the framework of existing Worcester State policies and procedures. Any exception will be conducted by, or with approval of, those Worcester State administrators directing and/or coordinating the response.
Worcester State University Police use an Emergency Response Plan that is based on the national standard. Police take every threat seriously. Depending on the situation, they may call in state police, the FBI, and/or the Worcester Police Department to assist. Those reinforcements are always available to us, and are often used. They also take false threats seriously. Those falsifying threats can face serious academic and/or legal consequences.
During an emergency, communications must strike a balance between the Worcester State community’s need or desire to know details of specific incidents versus the rights of accused to fair adjudications (or, as is the case in reports of sexual violence, the mental health needs and the right to privacy of the victim/survivor). Providing details may also jeopardize investigations.
There are 2 important steps students and employees can take to prepare for an incident:
The Worcester State Alert System is used to notify the campus community when there is an emergency of any kind.
While your email address is automatically registered with Worcester State’s emergency notification system, you must opt-in to receive text-message notifications. If you opt in, you will increase the speed at which you receive Worcester State-related weather and other emergency alerts. Register your cell phone number to have notifications sent to you via text message.
If you received only an email from police or another Worcester State official, rather than a Rave Alert, then you can be sure that police have determined that no immediate danger or public safety concern exists on campus.
In the event of an emergency or injury, Worcester State officials will need to contact your designated emergency contact. This may be your next of kin, significant other, adult child, or trusted friend. Make it a priority to register—and update—your emergency contact information through your Self-Service account.
