In the event of an emergency requiring the complete evacuation of Monmouth University, the following guidelines will be followed:
- The decision to evacuate the University would be made by the University President or his or her designee in consultation with the chair/co-chair of the crisis management team, and in conjunction with the Borough of West Long Branch, Office of Emergency Management. In the absence of the University President, the following chain of succession will be utilized: the Executive Director for Campus Planning and Facilities Management and the Vice President for Student Life.
- The University community may be directed to one of the following locations:
- A specific, designated location, off campus. This could be a school, military base, or regional evacuation center. In the event of an evacuation, the University Police Department will advise the campus community where to evacuate to, and will make every attempt to distribute maps and/or directions prior to any evacuation beginning.
- Based on the type of situation presented, it may be necessary to provide general direction to a safe area.
- In the event of an evacuation, the University population would be notified as to the appropriate action through one or more of the following means:
- Classroom notification
- Monmouth University Emergency Notification System voicemail
- University email
- University radio WMCX 88.9 (FM)
- Police vehicle public address systems and megaphones
- University website
- Electronic signs
- Area media outlets
- University social media sites
- Understanding that circumstances requiring a full campus evacuation are difficult to define at this time, it is hard to estimate what evacuation routes may be available and/or effective. The University, in making this plan, would make it a priority to route individuals through main thoroughfares, which should be monitored by state, county, and local emergency personnel. You might also consider alternate routes if you are familiar with the area. Once off campus, members might also be directed by outside law enforcement to a different route. At this point, you would be obligated to follow their directions.
- Those without access to transportation are encouraged to establish a personal contact/buddy system in order to assist them in evacuating the campus. You should establish a pre-arranged location to meet.
- It is very difficult to predict everything that might happen under such circumstances. The important thing is to remain calm and follow the directions of law enforcement, emergency personnel, and key campus personnel.
Immediate Action to Be Taken Upon Notice of an Evacuation
- If time is critical, students and staff will be directed to bypass step #2 (below) and immediately begin evacuating the campus. All nonresident students should return to their vehicles and evacuate the campus upon notice of an evacuation.
- Time and situation permitting, all resident students will report to their residential facility, and employees/staff will report to their offices. Under the supervision of Residential Administrative staff and department heads they will then:
- Gather personal belongings: keys, wallets, purses, medications, extra clothing as weather conditions dictate, and emergency phone numbers, as well as any personal survival kit (if in possession of one).
Assist persons with disabilities and those with special needs. - Log off University network systems and shut down computer.
- Secure all doors and windows.
- Exit buildings and go to your vehicle.
Do not use elevators. - Those students, faculty, and staff willing to transport individuals without rides should drive to the Rebecca Stafford Student Center, which will be the assembly point for those without transportation.
- Gather personal belongings: keys, wallets, purses, medications, extra clothing as weather conditions dictate, and emergency phone numbers, as well as any personal survival kit (if in possession of one).
- University personnel will ensure that all members of the campus community are evacuated. Those members of the campus community who do not normally have transportation available to them should have pre-arranged plans to secure a ride with a roommate, co-worker, or friend. Those unable to locate their pre-arranged ride, or are unable to make immediate arrangements to obtain a ride, should assemble in the Student Center. Under the direction of the Vice President for Student Life (or designee), Human Resources and Student Services administrators (Director of Student Activities and Student Center Operations, Assistant Directors of Student Activities, etc.) will staff the Student Center and perform the following functions:
- Contact the West Long Branch Office of Emergency Management (732-229-5000 or 732-229-1756) and advise the Office of Emergency Management of the emergency transportation needs.
- Stand by to assist and record the names of individuals who accept transportation through the Office of Emergency Management.
If the Office of Emergency Management cannot supply transportation, the previously listed Human Resources and Student Services administrators should:
- Triage those in need of transportation into geographic areas they will be traveling to.
- Greet those volunteers offering rides and make arrangements for them to transport those without rides who are from the same geographic area.
- Time permitting, document those members who have accepted alternate transportation, and with whom they accepted transportation.
- The University Police Department will direct vehicles off campus to their recommended evacuation routes.
- Members of the Monmouth University Police Department, Residential Life, and Facilities Management will conduct a search to make sure that the entire campus has been evacuated and buildings secured. Arrangements will then be made to evacuate any remaining members of the Residential Life staff, Facilities Management staff, and University Police personnel still on campus.
- Once at the designated evacuation location, or in an area considered outside the evacuation zone, evacuated members should contact those family members on their personal emergency list.
- After a successful evacuation, all members of the University community will be under the control of Emergency Management and/or Red Cross workers at a designated shelter or safe area. International students, and students unable to return to their homes or designated meeting places because of their proximity to the disaster, should make their status known to Emergency Management/Red Cross personnel so that arrangements can be made for shelter and food.
The University Bluffs Apartment Residents
The above evacuation procedures would apply to these students as well, with the following added procedures:
- Because of the inability of students to walk to the Student Center, it is imperative for those students without transportation to arrange for a pre-arranged ride in the event of an evacuation.
- If pre-arranged rides cannot be obtained, the student should immediately contact the University police to determine evacuation arrangements.
Suggested Evacuation Routes
To Points North:
From University: Take Cedar Avenue west to Monmouth Road. Continue on Monmouth Road to Route 36. Turn left onto Route 36 west and follow Route 36 west to the Garden State Parkway north.
From University Bluffs: Take Ocean Avenue to Cedar Avenue west. Follow University directions above.
From Monmouth Park Corporate Center: Take Route 36 west to the Garden State Parkway north.
To Points South:
From University: Take Cedar Avenue west to Monmouth Road. Continue on Monmouth Road to Route 36. Turn left onto Route 36 west and follow Route 36 west to the Garden State Parkway south.
From University Bluffs: Take Ocean Avenue to Cedar Avenue west. Follow University directions above for points south.
From Monmouth Park Corporate Center: Take Route 36 west to the Garden State Parkway south.
To Points West:
From University: Take Cedar Avenue west. This will turn into Monmouth Road. Continue on Monmouth Road to Route 36. Turn left on Route 36 west and follow to the Garden State Parkway south. Follow Garden State Parkway south to Route 195 west.
From University Bluffs: Take Ocean Avenue to Cedar Avenue west. Follow University directions from Cedar Avenue.
From Monmouth Park Corporate Center: Take Route 36 west to the Garden State Parkway south. Follow Garden State Parkway south to Route 195 west.