SECTION 9: AUTHORITIES & REFERENCES

A. AUTHORITIES

Primary authority for the EOP is derived from recommendation of the document by the EMC and approval by the university president. The approval letter is provided Section 1: Introductory Materials. The EMC is a university committee with responsibility for establishing university procedures related to emergency management.

Additional authority is contained in the Policy & Procedures Manual of the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education. The manual requires each MSU campus to maintain “campus safety and security policies consistent with the federal requirements under 15 the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act” and states that “campus policies should contain provisions for cooperation with local emergency services personnel and for efficient, effective coordination of efforts with such personnel.”

This EOP uses the foundation provided by the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) to describe a comprehensive, all-hazards approach to emergency management at MSU. This EOP also adheres to Public Law 106-390, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and Homeland Security Presidential Policy Directive (HSPD)-8: National Preparedness. Additionally, the document was written in accordance with the safety and security requirements outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

This EOP also adheres to the National Preparedness Goal, which emphasizes preparedness as an overarching mission that guides the entire emergency management program by identifying five mission areas: prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Each mission area is supported by several Core Capabilities, which are critical elements needed to reach success in achieving preparedness on the national level. This EOP allows for coordination with local, state, and federal government entities to move towards one goal of preparedness. At the institutional level, MSU will engage the university community to build and maintain a comprehensive culture of preparedness, using this EOP as a guide.

MSU also takes into account and complies with additional federal legislation that applies to higher education institutions, including the following:

  • Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (includes requirements covered by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act);
  • Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); and
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

This EOP can be used in conjunction with other emergency operation plans including local, regional, and state plans and complies with county and state authorities pertaining to emergency management, operations, and response.

Ultimate responsibility for the protection of life, property, and environment as well as the preservation of health and safety of the university community rests with MSU. Besides this plan, authority for University Law Enforcement to respond to emergencies and to take protective actions to safeguard its community is set forth in the following directives:

MSU also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as described in Section 3: Concept of Operations.

B. REFERENCES

MSU created this EOP as a commitment to maintain a safe, secure, and disaster resistant and resilient university. In drafting this document, the university employed emergency planning guidance, best practices, and regulations at the local, state, and federal levels as well as higher education-specific sources. The following documents and sources were referenced during the planning process:

  • Local: Gallatin County Emergency Management Plan;
  • State: Montana Emergency Response Framework (MERF); and
  • Federal:
    • FEMA Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101 Version 2; and
    • FEMA Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education