Compliance Status

Louisiana State University and A&M College is in compliance with this principle.

Narrative

Louisiana State University and A&M College (LSU) is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community.  The LSU Emergency Operations Center (EOC) [1], LSU Police Department (PD) [2], Student Health Center [3], Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) [4], and Office of Facility Services [5], all reporting to the vice chancellor for finance and administrative services, work collaboratively to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community.   In addition, the Office of the Dean of Students’ Website provides students and other LSU community members with information on how to identity and report hazing [6].

The LSU EOC [1] provides the university with a 24-hour, 7-days a week, “all hazards” center that is equipped to respond to natural disasters, man-made disasters, acts of terrorism or crime, and no-notice events.  The LSU PD [2] provides protection and emergency services to the campus. The Student Health Center [3] advances the physical and mental health of students and other members of the university community by providing primary health care, prevention-focused services, and learning experiences that develop health knowledge and skills. The Office of Environmental Health & Safety [4] administers campus safety, health, and environmental programs. The Office of Facility Services [5] provides all campus entities with quality facilities and cost-effective and responsive maintenance, utilities, design, and construction services to ensure building and grounds safety.

Policy Statements/Permanent Memoranda

In addition, LSU supports the following Policy Statements (PS) and Permanent Memoranda (PM) that help to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for the campus community:  

1. PS-18 Emergency Response Plan [7]
2. PS-19 Environmental Health and Safety [8]
3. PS-48 Student Appeal Procedures [9]
4. PS-59 Employee Assistance Program [10]
5. PS-65 Management of Human/Primate Body Fluids/Wastes [11]
6. PS-67 Misuse of Drugs or Alcohol [12]
7. PS-72 Immunization Policy [13]
8. PS-73 Sexual Harassment [14]
9. PS-75 Illegal/Abusive Alcohol/Other Drug Use by Students [15]
10. PS-76 University Policy on Smoking [16]
11. PS-78 Serving, Possessing, and Consuming of Alcoholic Beverages on Campus [17]
12. PS-83 Managing Communicable Diseases [18]
13. PS-95 Sexual Harassment of Students [19]
14. PS-96 Firearm Policy for Employees [20]
15. PS-97 Emergency Evacuation Plan for Disabled Persons [21]
16. PS-99 Radiation Safety Violations [22]
17. PS-102 Violence Free Workplace [23]
18. PS-108 Prohibition of Hazing [24]
19. PM-4  Student Travel Accident Insurance [25]
20. PM-30 Radiation Protection Program [26]
21. PM-33 Drug-Free Workplace and Drug Testing Policy [27]

Emergency Preparedness and Communication

The LSU EOC [1] became operational in June 2006.  Emergency operations are designed to protect lives, stabilize an incident, minimize property damage, protect the environment, and provide for the continuation and restoration of essential services.  The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is part of a larger integrated Disaster Resistant University (DRU) program at LSU that focuses on mitigation, recovery, preparedness, continuity, and response activities.

LSU’s EOP identifies the responsibilities of the university regarding emergency management and the activation of the LSU EOC.  The EOC is a force multiplier, providing situational awareness and improved coordination of public safety activities in order to enhance the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on the LSU campus. The EOP also specifies operating procedures including, but not limited to, notifications of emergencies, along with communications throughout emergent events and the aftermath of the event. It also coordinates support with external agencies and internal LSU departments for

• Medical triage, staging, special needs shelter, and other facilities;
• Continuity of operations; and
• Transition to normal operations.

Efforts to coordinate effective university emergency operations are managed through the interim director of Emergency Operations.  The interim director of Emergency Operations is also the designated chair of the university’s Emergency Operations Core Committee and reports directly to the chancellor of the university.  The Emergency Operations Core Committee (EOCC) executes all mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery to all natural and man-made hazards and is composed of the following personnel:

Emergency Operations Core Committee Members

Director, Emergency Operations

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (Chief Financial Officer)

Chief of Police

Police Major, Operations

Police Sergeant, Crisis Management and Preparedness

Police Sergeant, Information Technology

Director, Information Systems

Executive Director, Administrative Services and Risk Management

Executive Director, Facility Services

Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students.

The EOCC meets bi-weekly to identify, coordinate, and implement supported initiatives.  The committee manages LSU’s EOC to include the identification and training of capable university staff who volunteer to serve within the university’s incident command system in a time of crisis. 

EOC staff is composed of full-time university staff members who have been designated a position-specific area of responsibility based on best practices from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) [28]. 

Members of the LSU Emergency Operations Center Teams are required to take the following Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) online courses:

The university maintains a Crisis Communication Plan [29] to include mass notification systems, such as an opt-in emergency text messaging capability and protocol [30].  Other means of mass emergency notification include a desktop alert system, broadcast email, broadcast voice mail, the LSU Website (main page and MyLSU—which requires a log in), and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.  Emergency communications to students, staff, and faculty includes, but is not limited to weather emergencies, crime incidents on campus, injuries on campus, or upcoming training events.

Additional emergency preparedness information is located on the LSU PD [2] and the Emergency Preparedness [29] Websites.  For example, the LSU PD publishes a “crime map” in and around Baton Rouge [31] so that the LSU community can take appropriate precautions.  The Emergency Preparedness Website gives clear emergency procedures, contacts, and resources for students, staff, and faculty, for example, for hurricane preparedness [32].

The university maintains an EOC physical site where staff may be centrally located to manage and offer support during a crisis.  The EOC is located within the LSU Public Safety Building that houses the LSU PD and is maintained by LSU PD during non-emergencies. The EOC has personnel, technology, and resources at-the-ready to aid and assist in the management of any campus crisis.

In 2005, as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, LSU entered into agreements with the State of Louisiana to continue support of hurricane response efforts.  Through these agreements, LSU hardened critical infrastructure to include life safety generators.  LSU currently maintains comprehensive plans and procedures for hurricane preparedness and response [32].  In 2008, Hurricane Gustav directly impacted the LSU campus without loss of life, although major damage was recorded.  During Hurricane Gustav, LSU continued to support the State of Louisiana as a designated medical special needs shelter while supporting the campus community. 

Hazard Mitigation

The LSU System, its campus partners, and academic as well as non-academic stakeholders prepared a draft of the Hazard Mitigation Plan [33] pursuant to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, PL 106-390, and in accordance with the regulations of 44 CFR Part 201.6 (hereafter referenced as DMA 2000).  This multi-campus plan covers the LSU System campuses in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Eunice, and Alexandria.

The goals of the plan are to (1) reduce the loss of life and decrease property losses on the LSU System campuses due to natural and man-made disasters and (2) provide a framework and coordination to encourage all levels of university administration and entities to undertake mitigation to minimize potential disasters and to employ mitigation in the recovery following disasters. The plan documents the DRU planning process, identifies natural and man-made hazards, analyzes the associated risks and potential impacts of those hazards, and outlines the LSU System’s overall hazard mitigation strategy. The plan also includes objectives for future plan updates to ensure a reliable system of continuity and maintenance of an effective institutional knowledge base. Plan updates occur every five years as required by FEMA.

In 2010, the LSU System sought and was awarded grant monies to execute a system-wide Hazard Mitigation Plan to include LSU.  The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. The HMGP is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (FEMA, 2012).    

Campus Police

The LSU PD is organized as a traditional police department whose mission is to provide protection and emergency services to the LSU community.  Officers are commissioned with statewide arrest authority per Louisiana Revised Statute 17:1805, and they work closely with federal, state, and local public safety agencies.

LSU provides an on-site, 24-hour police department with approximately seventy sworn personnel and three non-sworn support staff.   All officers receive training that exceeds state minimum standards. They use a variety of resources, including traditional police vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and canines.  Officers participate on various team-based response groups.  These include the Special Response Team (SRT), the Hostage Negotiation Team, the LSU Emergency Operations Center, and the C.A.R.E. Committee [34].  

The LSU PD operates with a general fund established through LSU Finance and Administrative Services. Though the university has experienced budget constraints, the LSU PD has been spared from severe cuts in the interest of public safety and administrative support.

LSU PD has sought budget relief through proactive grant applications and petitions. The department has received multiple community and government grants that have afforded the execution of proactive efforts for the deterrence and response to crime. These efforts include bait property initiatives; increased security video monitoring; focused traffic enforcement; in-service training; emergency and crisis planning; and continuity of operations planning.

The LSU PD believes that education of the campus community on crime issues and prevention is important.  Members of the department routinely speak to various groups on campus and offer online training on active shooter response, criminal trends on campus, and preventing and reporting crime. Online training on subjects such as active shooter response [35] is offered on both the LSU PD and main LSU Websites.

To aid in crime prevention and increase reporting of crimes, LSU PD launched the “If You See Something, Say Something” [36] campaign to raise public awareness of indicators of potential terrorist and other criminal activities and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the authorities.  The campus community can report non-emergency criminal or suspicious activity anonymously on the LSU PD Website.  The LSU PD partners with Crime Stoppers, a local non-profit organization dedicated to combating crime and keeping streets safe through a reward program for anonymous tips that lead to the arrest and indictment of people charged with felony offenses.

Staff members from the LSU PD, the Student Health Center, and Office of the Dean of Students have formed the C.A.R.E. committee, which gives students, faculty, and staff the ability to provide names of fellow students, faculty, and staff who they feel are under extreme stress or displaying uncharacteristic anger that could possibly pose a threat to themselves or others.  This committee meets weekly to discuss cases and then reaches out to offer resources to those students, faculty, or staff [34] [37] [38] [39].

The LSU PD believes that accurate and timely reporting of criminal offenses leads to better awareness by the university community.  Since the late 1970s, this philosophy has underlined all efforts to provide the university community with valuable information that can be used to protect and defend against crime.  The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act [40], is a federal law that requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses. 

The LSU Annual Security Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crime that occurred on campus, including certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by LSU, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to LSU and or accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus safety, such as alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, crime reporting, sexual assault, and others.  The 2012 report is the most recent one available [41].  The information covers all Category I crimes (murder, rape, robbery, assault, theft, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson) and crimes that are reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for publication in its annual report, the United States Uniform Crime Reports.  The LSU Police Department has reported its crime information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 1977.

In April 2013, the LSU Police Department, in conjunction with the LSU Athletic Department, received the Sport Event Security Aware (SESA) certification from the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security [42].  This certification in assessing and mitigating risks to safety and security at sporting events has been awarded to only ten universities in the nation, four of which are in the Southeastern Conference.

Student Health Center

The mission of the LSU Student Health Center [3] is to provide, promote, and support services that integrate individual health, education for health, prevention of disease, clinical treatment for illness, and public health responsibilities consistent with the educational mission of the university.  The organization works with students to make them active partners in maintaining their health. 

The Student Health Center has been accredited by the Accredition Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) since 1987 (most recently reaccredited in December 2010), placing the center among the top university health centers in the country.  In 2011, LSU was voted #2 Healthiest College in America by Princeton Review.  The Student Health Center Laboratory is in compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA).

Mental Health Service of the Student Health Center

Mental Health Service (MHS) [43] supports the flagship agenda of the university by aiding students in their personal growth and development and by enhancing their mental and emotional well-being. Even a mild impairment in psychological functioning can result in significant disruption of a student’s ability to learn effectively and relate appropriately, so a range of services are available through MHS to meet the unique needs of the LSU student.  The Mental Health Service doctoral internship was reaccredited in 2007 for the maximum of seven years by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Health Promotion Department of Student Health Center

The Health Promotion [44] staff work closely with other professionals in the Student Health Center to ensure that students receive accurate information and the highest quality of care.  The department has multi-disciplinary staff who are available for one-on-one consultations, classes, and interviews on a variety of health-related topics, including

• Alcohol Use and Abuse
• Substance/Drug Abuse
• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Sexual Health
• Contraceptive Methods
• Relationship Skills
• Elements of Wellness and Campus Wellness Resources
• Nutrition and Fitness
• Eating Disorders and Body Image
• Personal Safety
• Stress Reduction and Time Management.

Sexual Assault & Support Services of the Student Health Center

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program allows any LSU student to have a forensic exam or “sexual assault evidence collection kit” conducted by a SANE nurse [45]. A SANE nurse is specially trained in collecting evidence and working with survivors of sexual assault.  The primary mission of the SANE program is to meet the needs of any LSU student who is a sexual assault survivor by providing immediate, compassionate, culturally-sensitive, and comprehensive forensic evaluation and treatment by an LSU Student Health Center professional nurse trained in the parameters of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners standards.

The SANE nurse works closely with a Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocate (SAVA) from the Student Health Center. SAVAs are specially trained university personnel who provide confidential guidance and support to LSU students who have directly experienced interpersonal violence.  SAVAs provide options for recovery, including assistance with filing a police report, getting medical care, navigating the university accountability process, relocating their residence, obtaining academic assistance/accommodations, and accessing services and resources.

The staff also collaborates with the LSU PD to provide Rape Aggression Defensive classes, a 12-hour personal safety on-campus course [46]. The classes are available to students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Office of Environmental Health & Safety

The EHS [4] is responsible for administering the LSU campus safety, health, and environmental programs.  EHS is the focal point for all environmental issues related to non-radioactive wastes, environmental permitting, and toxic agent releases for the LSU campus.  Policy Statement 19 [8] outlines the major roles and authority of the Office of EHS at LSU. The document provides a framework that facilitates the protection of life, property, and the environment. It also sets forth safety and environmental responsibilities, provides support for safety rules and procedures, and establishes activities/programs that are necessary for the successful implementation of the university's EHS Program [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61].

Injuries for Fiscal Year 2010-2011

• 265 Worker Compensation claims
• 118 Minor First Aid reports
• 147 “Serious Injury” (treatment by doctor required) reports
• 13 cases requiring time away from work

Injuries for Fiscal Year 2009-2010

• 334 Workers Compensation claims
• 172 Minor First Aid reports
• 164 “Serious Injury” (treatment by doctor required) reports
• 25 cases requiring time away from work

Fire safety is also a major focus on the campus, and EHS closely coordinates with the State of Louisiana fire marshal’s office on fire inspections and assures that follow-up activities are carried out to address deficiencies noted in the reports. In addition, safety and environmental training for employees and research staff are offered by the department to comply with the Louisiana State Office of Risk Management Loss Prevention Program [62] and to support adherence to statutory requirements for research activities.           

Biological Safety

Biological safety and environmental concerns relating to biology have taken a prominent role in the overall programming for LSU since the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the anthrax mailings in 2011.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Department  of Agriculture, U.S. Justice Department, and Homeland Security have established a program of regulation and control that requires universities who have research programs to initiate a formal biosafety program.

At LSU, a number of principle investigators perform research with what are termed Select Agents and Toxins. These pathogens and toxins are considered under federal law to be potential terrorist weapons, so elaborate and strict regulations are enforced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.  The EHS staff oversees compliance with these rules and regulations.

LSU has a well-developed Biological Safety Program [63] with clear policies and guidelines [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] [71] [72] [73] [74] [75] [76] [77] [78].

Environmental Safety

The environmental responsibilities of EHS include management of the environmental impact of university operations and activities and guidance on compliance with local, state, and federal laws concerning environmental protection. EHS has established a hazardous waste program, an asbestos containment program, and an emergency response team to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Radiation Safety Office

The Radiation Safety Office is under the Office of Research and Economic Development Center for Energy Studies [79] [80] [81].  This office provides manuals, training, incident report forms, in-lab contamination surveys, and lists of regulations. 

Waste Disposal

EHS disposed of approximately 135,300 pounds of hazardous, nonhazardous, and recyclable waste in fiscal year 2010-2011 at a cost of approximately $120,000. These cleanouts were due in part to the new lab safety accreditation program [82] encouraging disposal of unusable chemicals. EHS maintains several programs that actively pursue recycle/reuse options for reducing the amount of the waste generated on campus [83]. The recycling/reuse efforts include chemical redistribution, used oil recycling, battery recycling, and fluorescent bulb recycling. 

Industrial Hygiene

The Industrial Hygiene Program of the EHS [4] strives to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are provided with a healthy occupational and/or educational setting in which to work and learn. The major function of the Industrial Hygiene Program at the institution is to anticipate, identify, evaluate, and control occupational exposures to environmental hazards in the academic and office workplaces, and classrooms.  Air quality, ergonomics, hearing conservation, heat stress, fume hoods, and art safety are covered [84] [85] [86] [87] [88] [89].

Emergency Preparedness

The Office of EHS [4] has developed emergency response guidelines for incidents that may occur on or near the campus. These include, but are not limited to, fire, natural disasters, bomb threats, chemical spills, fires, and serious injuries. EHS coordinates fire and emergency response preparedness on campus, which involves the coordination with the Baton Rouge Fire department. Programs include orientations, trainings, response planning, and building evacuation planning/training. EHS also works with the fire marshal to take corrective actions as identified.  The EHS Website also has building evacuation guidelines.  The response guidelines are listed in the University Safety Manual [90] and on the EHS Website.  EHS also publishes a quarterly safety newsletter [91] that is distributed to the campus community via a broadcast email.

Chemical/Laboratory Safety

The Office of EHS [4] has developed a laboratory safety program; the program’s mission is to provide outstanding professional services to the research community and to evaluate risks associated with chemical and physical hazards within specific work areas.  The laboratory safety program promotes safe chemical handling practices and procedures for personnel working in university laboratories to protect them from potential health and physical hazards.  The goal of the effort is to ensure that the university research community remains in compliance with federal and state regulations while providing a safe working environment for employees and students [92] [93] [94] [95] [96] [97].

Figure 1. Chemical Labs in Research Buildings.

Fume Hood Program

There are 709 fume hoods located in 36 campus buildings that provide the major method of engineering control necessary to prevent employee and student exposures to airborne hazardous materials. With the assistance of a graduate student, all hoods are inspected per regulatory requirements, and work orders are submitted to the Office of Facility Services to correct deficiencies.  Following completion of work orders, hoods are re-inspected to qualify that regulatory requirements have been met.

Summary

Each of the services that LSU EOC, LSU PD, Student Health, and Environmental Health and Safety provide helps the institution take reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community. Additional information related to health, safety, and security is found in the compliance certificates for Comprehensive Standards 3.11.1 and 3.11.3, and in Federal Requirement 4.5.