Timely warnings and critical incidents

Atlantis University provides timely warnings (called “AU Alerts”) to the University community when a significant criminal incident occurs within Atlantis University and represents a serious or continuing threat. 

Decisions to disseminate a warning will be decided on a case-by-case basis in light of all the facts surrounding the crime and the continuing danger to the University community. The purpose of the warning is to aid in the prevention of similar crimes by alerting the community about the incident and providing information on the actions people can take to diminish their chances of being victimized.

The type of information presented in the warning will vary depending on the circumstances of the crime and will be distributed as soon as pertinent information is available so that the warning is a preventive tool, not solely a description of the incident. If there is certain information that could compromise law enforcement efforts, it may be withheld from the timely warning notice.

Cases involving sexual assault are reported long after the incident occurred, in which case there is no ability to distribute a “timely” warning notice to the community. Thus, whether to issue a Timely Warning Notice based on a reported sex offense will be determined on a case by case basis depending on when and where the incident occurred, when it was reported, and the amount of information known by Atlantis University.

Timely Warning Notices will be issued to students and employees in a manner that is timely, that withholds the names of the victims as confidential, and in a manner that aids in the prevention of future similar crimes.

Timely Warning Notices are distributed to the Atlantis University community via blast email and are published at the University’s homepage banner indicating the date of the publication with frequent updates as necessary.

Critical Incident Response plan

Objectives

  1. To coordinate the School’s response to critical incidents while paying special attention to the safety and security needs of members of the Atlantis University community.
  2. To maintain the safety and security of faculty, staff and students as a whole in the event of a critical incident.
  3. 3. To provide counseling, guidance, and appropriate support services to the families, friends, students, and campus community members in the event of a critical incident.

Definition of a critical incident

A critical incident is a situation that involves Atlantis University student(s) and/or employee(s) that creates a major disruption of normal operations and calls for a response beyond normal school operational procedures. Examples may be situations such as natural/structural disasters, violent behavior or life threatening injury or illness.

Student assistance services

Personal counseling referrals 

The President of ATLANTIS UNIVERSITY will act as the referral agent for students seeking assistance for emotional or personal counseling services.

A critical incident is a situation that involves Atlantis University student(s) and/or employee(s) that creates a major disruption of normal operations and calls for a response beyond normal school operational procedures. Examples may be situations such as natural/structural disasters, violent behavior or life threatening injury or illness.

Procedures for Atlantis University

Personal counseling referrals

Step 1 Atlantis University – The President or School Director is notified of a critical incident involving an ATLANTIS UNIVERSITY student or employee at 305-377-8817 during the day, after hours or holidays.

First responders may call 911 if they determine that immediate medical attention is necessary. Once emergency services have been contacted, all steps in this process must be followed.

Step 2 Atlantis University – The President gathers information concerning the critical incident and responds accordingly.

In the event that scheduled classes need to be cancelled or altered in some manner the School Director will contact the faculty. The President will contact the students and the closure will be posted on the school’s website: www.atlantisuniversity.edu

Any media contact, press releases, email or website assistance must be coordinated through the School President.

Step 3 Atlantis University – Depending on the evaluation of the situation, one or more of the following may occur:

  • Step 3A – ATLANTIS UNIVERSITY will without delay, and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the notification system, unless the notification, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist victims or to contain respond, to or otherwise mitigate the emergency. The President goes to the scene of the incident to assess the need for back-up personnel. Based on the initial findings and upon agreement with either the President or Director, the response may include: dealing with the situation alone, contacting appropriate outside agencies (e.g. local police, hospital), contacting family members, contacting counseling centers.
  • Step 3B – President initiates family contacts.

Step 4 Atlantis University – Once the issue/situation is under control, the President meets with other school officials and debrief. Any needed follow-up plans, communications, activities, and/or programs will be determined for final resolution of the critical incident. Timelines for these activities will be determined and a closure/evaluation meeting of the school officials will be scheduled.

Step 5 Atlantis University – The President and school officials will recommend to the President any policy revisions in procedures and will compile a Critical Incident Report to be filed in the Office of the President.

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