University of the Potomac (UOTP) complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”), as amended by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”); District of Columbia law; Illinois law; Virginia law; and all other applicable laws.

The Clery Act, as amended by VAWA, requires higher education institutions to annually report certain information concerning campus security policies and campus crime statistics.

Emergency Action & Crisis Management Plan 2022 PDF version

Emergency Preparedness
The university recognizes the need to prepare for unexpected catastrophic events such as natural or human-made disasters or the outbreak of pandemic illnesses, as well as the need to return the university as quickly as possible to its normal operations should such events occur. Our preparation, response, and recovery will draw upon local, state, and federal agencies and experts.

Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures

Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures
University of the Potomac has designated an Emergency Management Team that will serve as the Campus Security Authority:

President- Andrea Kemp-Curtis
Chief Financial Officer- Shannyn Stern
Provost- Dr. Lee Smith
Director of Student Support Services- Rosanna DePinto
Academic Dean (DC/VA)- Dr. Sergei Andronikov and Dr. Yvonne Hood
Dean of Student Retention and Services- Lachelle Foxx-Matthews
Human Resources Manager- Seblewengel Teklehaimanot

In the event of an emergency or dangerous situation on campus, any employee who is aware of the emergency should call 9-1-1 and alert the members of the Emergency Management Team by calling 1-202-274-2300 (DC) or 1-202-521-1290 (VA) or 1-773- 866-0111 (IL).

The team member who receives the call will determine, in consultation with other members of the Emergency Management Team as appropriate, whether a notification should be sent to the University of the Potomac community. The Emergency Management Team will, without delay, and considering the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the notification system, unless issuing a notification will, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency. If it is determined that an emergency notification should be sent, a member of the Emergency Management Team will send the notification via text message to the identified campus community using the University of the Potomac’s notification procedure; email blast, one to one voice contact. The content of the notification will be determined by members of the Emergency Management Team, and certain messages will be pre-formulated to expedite the notification process.

After notification of an emergency or dangerous situation, the Emergency Management Team will monitor events and circumstances and determine appropriate follow-up information that should be disseminated, such as all-clear notices and updates about continuing steps taken to respond to the emergency, including class cancellations. The Emergency Management Team shall also notify local authorities, as appropriate.

Emergency Notification and Evacuation Testing

University of the Potomac will annually publicize its emergency response and evacuation procedures in conjunction with annual tests of the emergency notification and evacuation plans. The emergency notification system will be tested at least annually. These tests may include regularly scheduled drills, exercises, and appropriate follow-through activities, designed for assessment and evaluation of emergency plans and capabilities. Each calendar year, the Emergency Management Team will test the notification system, evaluate the outcome, determine if any revisions to existing procedures are necessary, and advise the University’s President of the date, time, and result of the annual test. In addition, test evacuation procedures will be performed at least annually. A safety representative will be assigned to coordinate evacuation tests and assist with evacuation in the event of an actual emergency. Tests may be announced or unannounced and will be documented by Human Resources or facilities manager. Documentation will include a description of the test, the date and time, and whether it was announced or unannounced.

When these Policies Take Effect

These policies and procedures will become active and remain in effect when a university state of emergency is declared, as defined herein. If a university state of emergency is not declared, regular university policies and procedures remain in effect.

Guiding Principles

The university will make every effort to provide necessary information to the university community throughout any University state of emergency.
Departments should be as flexible as possible to enable all faculty, staff, and student employees to continue to work and maintain operations to the extent possible, including facilitating working from home and other remote locations, allowing full-time employees to work part-time, using flexible work schedules or alternate work assignments, and utilizing other appropriate solutions during the emergency period.
Unless directed otherwise, individuals who can work are expected to report for work and support the department or university in whatever capacity is needed. Faculty, staff, and student employees can be required to work outside their usual classifications/responsibilities to the extent they are qualified and can safely perform the work.
In the event of a pandemic, to minimize the spread of the disease, employees may be directed not to report to the workplace. Normal leave policies will be applied until and unless a decision to change them for the emergency event is made by the proper University authority and communicated to campus.