Continuity Planning

Disruptions to campus operations can occur at any time, and being prepared to adapt is essential for our community. At Temple University, we recognize the importance of continuity planning to ensure that we can maintain our critical functions, regardless of unforeseen circumstances.

The Importance of Continuity Planning

Temple University is a large and complex institution with diverse missions, including:

• Educating Our Students: Delivering quality education across various academic disciplines.
• Conducting Groundbreaking Research: Advancing knowledge and contributing to innovative discoveries.
• Maintaining Our Physical Environment: Ensuring our campus facilities are safe and conducive to learning.
• Ensuring Financial Health: Managing resources effectively to support our operations.
• Providing Clinical Services: Offering vital health services to our community.

Disruptions to any of these mission areas can significantly impact our ability to operate. Therefore, we must be equipped to sustain critical functions and enable a seamless transition, regardless of the challenges we face.

Stages of Continuity Planning

The effectiveness of our continuity planning can be enhanced through the following key stages:

1. Assessment and Analysis:

   • Identify and prioritize critical functions and processes within your department.
   • Assess potential risks and vulnerabilities that could disrupt operations.

2. Strategy Development:

   • Develop strategies and procedures to maintain or quickly resume essential functions.
   • Create communication plans to keep staff and stakeholders informed during a disruption.

3. Plan Creation:

   • Document your continuity plan, detailing resources, responsibilities, and specific actions required.
   • Ensure that the plan is accessible and understood by all team members.

4. Training and Awareness:

   • Conduct training sessions to educate your team about the continuity plan.
   • Raise awareness of individual roles and responsibilities during emergencies.

5. Testing and Exercises:

   • Perform drills and exercises to test the effectiveness of your continuity plan.
   • Identify areas for improvement based on feedback and outcomes from these exercises.

6. Maintenance and Review:

   • Regularly review and update your continuity plan to reflect any changes in personnel, operations, or resources.
   • Engage in continuous improvement by incorporating lessons learned from drills and actual events.

Partnerships in Continuity Planning

The Office of Emergency Management collaborates with key areas of budget, finance, and operations to develop a recognized and effective continuity planning program. We are dedicated to taking a proactive and innovative approach to continuity planning, ensuring we are prepared for various disruptions.

While we have created a flexible model for continuity, we understand that a single, centralized university-wide plan cannot address the diverse needs of our schools, colleges, administrative units, and support services. Each department may face unique challenges and conditions based on their functions.

Your Role in Continuity Planning

We need your help to enhance our continuity capabilities. Here’s how you can contribute:

1. Engage in Planning: Participate in developing continuity plans tailored to your department's specific needs. Assess potential risks and outline strategies to mitigate them.

2. Create a Response Team: Establish a team within your department to focus on continuity planning. Designate roles and responsibilities for all team members to ensure effective responses during a disruption.

3. Develop Essential Procedures: Identify critical operations, resources, and personnel necessary to continue your department's mission. Document procedures to follow in the event of a disruption.

4. Conduct Training and Drills: Regularly train your department on continuity plans and conduct drills to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities during an emergency.

5. Stay Informed: Keep updated on institutional plans and resources available for continuity. Regular communication with the Office of Emergency Management can enhance your readiness.

By being a guide, a support, and a partner in the continuity planning process, you can strengthen the resilience of your department and contribute to the overall mission of Temple University. Together, we can ensure that our institution remains responsive and capable of adapting to any circumstance that may arise.