IUP Responds to National Security Concerns

The nation and state currently are on yellow alert status.

What IUP Is Doing; How You Will Be Informed
Do You Have a Safety or Security Concern?
Current Advisories
How Students Can Be Prepared
Is This True? Rumors and Questions
Safety Tips (Residence Halls, Employees, Handling Mail)
Military Leave
Counseling Support
Message to International Student Families
IUP Experts Are Available to Address Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions About IUP's Plan in Case of an Emergency
How Can I Help Others?
Acts of Hate and Intolerance
Public Forums for Related Topics


What IUP Is Doing; How You Will Be Informed

William Montgomery, Director of Public Safety and Police, said his department is maintaining a high level of vigilance throughout the campus, and IUP is working in coordination with local, regional and state security agencies. At this time, there is no new information that would indicate a need for increased concern for our university or local community.

IUP follows the procedures and policies set by the State System of Higher Education for disasters and emergencies of all types as well as procedures and policies developed by local, regional and state emergency agencies. IUP has a special task force for disaster response in place and this task force
is meeting on a regular basis to adapt current plans in response to the heightened security level.

IUP personnel work closely with local, regional, state and federal emergency and crime prevention officials on a constant basis. IUP's Director of Public Safety is the key liaison with these agencies, and systems are in place to immediately inform the university of security alerts and/or safety concerns
on or around the IUP campus.

Information will be distributed to local and regional media outlets, both print and electronic. In cases of extreme emergency, e-mail communications will be sent to all members of the university community.

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Do You Have a Safety or Security Concern?

Pennsylvania law enforcement and emergency responders play an important role in the battle against terrorism. You have an important role to play, too.

We encourage members of the campus community to let us know about any safety or security concerns they may have. Simply e-mail us using the link below and you will receive a response to your e-mail shortly. We thank you for you concern and attention. If you need immediate assistance, please call the Office of University Police at 724-357-2141. In an extreme emergency, please call 9-1-1.

Let us know by sending e-mail to safety-inquiry@iup.edu.

A rumor inquiry line has been established for Pennsylvania residents to call a state telephone line to clarify rumors regarding the nation's war with Iraq or potential terrorist threats. The number is 1-800-932-0784.

The Pennsylvania State Police has established a special terrorism tip line. The number is 1-888-292-1919.

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Current Advisories

At this time, there is no new information that would indicate a need for increased concern for our university or local community.

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As a Student Away from Home, What Can I Do to Be Prepared in Case of an Emergency?

The moment you hear that there has been a terrorist attack anywhere in the U.S., call home and let your family know where you are and that you are fine. Have a family plan in place!

If the land lines are tied up, try cell phones.  Chances are those won't work if the land lines don't, but perhaps satellite phones will.

If your computer is on a cable line, try to contact your family by e-mail; again, just let them know where you are and if you are OK.

The moment you hear the university is closing, carefully proceed home.  Have a plan ready with your family where to meet and when. Make sure your car's gas tank is always at least three-quarters full all the time. It will cut down on time if you need to get home quickly.

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Is This True? Rumors and Questions

This is the site to post questions, rumors, and other concerns. As inquiries are received, they'll be posted here.  Please send questions to safety-inquiry@iup.edu.

Q: I have heard that the power plants around Indiana County are especially
at risk from terrorist activities because they are fueled by nuclear energy.
Is this true?

A:  No. The power plants around Indiana County are fueled by a combination of natural gas and coal. Security is in place at Indiana County's power plants.

Q: I heard that UPS uniforms have been purchased illegally on eBAY and that people might be at risk to accept packages from UPS drivers because they may not be legitimate UPS employees. Is this true?

A: No. Since this original warning has been circulated, State Police officials investigated this more thoroughly and found that it was untrue, that UPS uniforms had not been purchased illegally on eBAY. However, it is always good practice to ask for valid ID from  drivers, especially if you have questions or concerns. If you have a problem, call 9-1-1 immediately or
campus police at 724-357-2141.
 

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Safety Tips

For Residence Halls
Keep your residence hall door locked at all times.

When responding to a knock at your room door, prior to opening the door, always use your peephole and ask the person to identify him/herself.

 Do not hold exterior doors open for non-residents.

Escort your guests at all times.

Complete an overnight guest form prior to having a guest.

Confront or report others for not following safety/security
policies.

Report any unusual activity to University Police or a residence life staff member immediately.

Have your valuables engraved with Operation ID.

For Employees
Offices should be locked when vacant, even if you are out of the office for a short time.

Turn off computers when not in use. Do not post your password near your computer. Do not use passwords that are so familiar to you that they could be easily determined by others. A mixture of letters and numbers is recommended as the most secure type of password.

Be aware of your surroundings. Report any suspicious activity or persons around you to University Police at 724-357-2141. In an emergency persons should call 9-1-1.

Mail-Related Precautions
Below are expanded guidelines for precautionary measures to be taken by everyone in regard to the processing and handling of mail. These recommendations apply to all persons who process and handle mail from mail room staff, who start to deliver mail, to administrative staff, who distribute mail, to the individuals to whom mail is addressed. The government has an obligation to continue to provide its outstanding service to the citizens of the state in delivering the mail and many of us have to continue to open and respond to mail.

While we should all keep in mind that the risk of exposure to a biological or chemical hazard is small, it makes sense for everyone who handles mail to be cautious and have a heightened awareness.

All managers are asked to convey this information to their employees, especially to those who do not have immediate access to e-mail. A manager in each area also is asked to print out and post a copy of this e-mail.

Latex gloves have been offered to IUP mailroom employees at this time.

Other employees who wish to use latex gloves during the work day may get them, free of charge, from Campus Police in the Administrative Annex.

We will continue to post information to this page as it becomes available. 

Precautions for Opening All Mail

·        Observe all mail for suspicious characteristics

·        Do not open mail using your hands or fingers - use a letter opener or other device

·        When opening the mail, position the top of the envelope away from your body

·        Once opened, turn the envelope upside down over a trashcan and pull open one side (if any foreign substance is inside, it should fall out)

·        Do not handle mail with your bare hands -- wear gloves. Latex gloves are available at the Campus Police office in the Administrative Annex

·        Always wash your hands using soap and hot water after handling mail

·        Do not open mail in areas of high ventilation or in front of a fan

Characteristics of suspicious letters or packages

·        Mailed from a foreign country

·        Postmark that does not match the return address

·        Excessive postage

·        No postage (not applicable to internal mail)

·        Non- cancelled postage

·        Excessive weight

·        Misspelled words

·        Addressed to a title only (such as Director), or has the wrong title associated with an individual's name, although in some agencies this may be routine

·        Rigid or bulky

·        Badly typed or handwritten

·        Excessive tape or string

·        Restrictive markings (personal, confidential, etc.)

·        No return address

·        Odor (do not put your face near any packages or letters)

·        Lopsided or uneven

·        Oily stains or decoration

·        Protruding wires, aluminum foil or other items

·        Visual distractions

·        Ticking sound

If you find a suspicious letter or package

·        Do not open the letter/package

·        Restrict or limit any movement of the item

·        Do not shake the letter/package

·        Immediately notify your supervisor or other manager

·        Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or other type of container to prevent leakage of the contents (if a container is not available, cover the envelop or package with anything that is available, such as a piece of paper, trash can, clothing, etc.)

·        Wash your hands using soap and hot water after handling mail

·        If management determines that the item should be opened, proceed using the mail opening precautions


What if management determines that an item should be reported to law enforcement authorities?

 ·        All persons should evacuate the area containing the suspicious item and call campus police IMMEDIATELY -- 724-357-2141

·        Do not allow others to enter the area

·        If you had contact with the suspicious item, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water

·        Remain available for interview with the law enforcement authorities -- do not leave without being interviewed

·        Prepare a list of all individuals present in the area when the letter or package was recognized as being suspicious
 

What should I do if a piece of mail contains a threat, powder residue, liquid or other sign of possible biological or chemical tampering?

 
        Immediately contact your supervisor or other manager, and contact the University Police by calling 724-357-2141

·        Do not sniff or smell the contents

·        Do not taste the contents

·        Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or other type of container to prevent leakage of the contents (if a container is not available, cover the envelope or package with anything that is available, such as a piece of paper, trash can, clothing, etc.)

·        Do not try to clean up any spilled contents

·        All persons should evacuate the area containing the suspicious item, and be advised to thoroughly wash hands with soap and hot water

·        Do not allow others to enter the area

·        Do not touch your eyes, nose, or any other part of your body

·        Do not attempt to brush the substance from your clothing

·        Remove any clothing that is heavily contaminated and place it into a plastic bag

·        You and anyone else who had contacted with the item should thoroughly wash hands with soap and hot water

·        Remain available for interview with the law enforcement authorities

·        Shower with soap and water as soon as possible do not use bleach or other disinfectants on your skin

·        If you believe that you need medical attention, you should go to the nearest hospital emergency room for evaluation

Factual and helpful information concerning various forms of biological and chemical agents and the mail can be found at the following locations:

 
·        Pennsylvania Department of Health's home page at http://www.health.state.pa.us

·        Center for Disease control at http://www.cdc.gov

·        United States Postal Service at http://www.usps.gov

 
Further questions regarding mail-handling precautions should be directed to the University Police by calling extension 7-2141

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Military Leave

President Bush has begun to activate Guard and Reserve troops.  In order to inform the students, faculty, and staff of IUP who have been called to action about IUP's efforts to ease this departure and their academic options once they return, the revised military leave policy has been posted at
www.iup.edu/registrar/Active-Military-Duty.shtm.  As we all wait for the next move in this series of events, IUP wishes to assure its students and employees that as an institution and as a community we support those who have been called to duty and offer hopes for their safe return.

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Counseling Support

The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services now offers a walk-in chat and support group every Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. or as long as needed.  The service takes place in the center's offices, 306 Pratt Hall.

Counseling Center faculty members are available to speak with students and employees by calling 724-357-2621.  In case of emergency, contact University Police at 724-357-2141.  

The Counseling Center would like to offer the university community some information about typical responses to tragedies and information about what kinds of reactions may warrant seeking additional counseling support.

Typical Responses:

· Shock and disbelief: immediately after a learning about a disaster, many people may feel numb, or feel like such an event can't quite be real.

· Speculation about what happened and seeking more information, such as listening to or watching the news, checking the web for updates, talking to others about what you each know or have heard.

· Feeling sadness or anger about the tragedy and discussing this with family, friends, colleagues.

· Wanting to check in with loved ones, even if they are not close to the disaster or in any immediate danger. It is normal to want to touch base with someone you care about.

In the hours and days following disasters, the shock begins to wear off, and more feelings may emerge, such as sadness and anger. It is important to share these feelings with people that you trust. For some people, the level of feelings or the kinds of questions that emerge may indicate that additional counseling support would be helpful.

Circumstances or signs that may lead you to seek additional counseling support:

· Is the national condition bringing up recollections of previous loss, trauma, or crisis that you or a loved one have faced?

· Are your experiencing heightened feelings of anxiety, fear for your safety, or rage?

· Are you crying more than usual in response to sadness?

· Are you wondering what to tell your children about this event or how they will react?

For assistance with these issues, contact the Counseling Center.

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A Special Message to International Families 

Please be assured that special concern and care is being shown to our international students during this time of uncertainty.

International Student Services provides support to all international students, and can be contacted at 724-357-2295 or pacarone@iup.edu.

University Police is available 24 hours a day at 724-357-2141 and can respond to questions or assist you in making contact with your student.  

In the event that telephone communication is disrupted because of increased calling traffic, family and friends should know that the university e-mail system is fully operational and may be the most efficient way to maintain contact with your IUP student.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does IUP have a disaster plan?

A: Yes. IUP follows the procedures and policies set by the State System of Higher Education for disasters and emergencies of all types as well as procedures and policies developed by local, regional and state emergency agencies. IUP has a special task force for disaster response in place and this task force is meeting on a regular basis to adapt current plans in response to the heightened security level.

Q. How are IUP officials notified of security alerts or warnings?

A. IUP personnel work closely with local, regional, state and federal emergency and crime prevention officials on a constant basis. IUP’s Director of Public Safety is the key liaison with these agencies, and systems are in place to immediately inform the University of security alerts and/or safety concerns on or around the IUP campus.

Q: How will information about possible safety and security threats be disseminated to the University community?

A: Information will be posted on the university’s website, www.iup.edu, as soon as it becomes available. Information also will be distributed to local and regional media outlets, both print and electronic. In cases of extreme emergency, e-mail communications will be sent to all members of the University community. In case of emergency, persons may call 724-357-7538 to reach IUP's hotline for students, parents, and the media in the event of campus crisis or emergencies.

Q: With the nation on a heightened alert level, what should I do?

A: It is always good practice to be prepared for basic emergencies. The links on this page to federal and state agencies offer good tips for disaster preparedness. All members of the university community can assist the Office of University Safety by being vigilant and watchful and reporting any suspicious activity at 724-357-2141 (see Do You Have a Safety or Security Concern? on this page). In any situation, members of the University community should practice proactive personal safety (see Safety Tips on this page).

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How Can I Help Others?
Events that take place beyond our immediate reach but that nonetheless affect us often leave us with feelings of helplessness.  As we watch national and international events unfold, it is important that we recognize and attend to our natural desire to be involved and to be of assistance to persons in need.  See ways that you can offer your help.

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