Campus Evacuation Plan

Pedestrian and Motor Vehicles

Campus Evacuation

The purpose of the campus-wide evacuation procedure is to disperse the University community away from the area in question and vacate the campus when ordered or required.  Once the emergency or dangerous situation is confirmed, the University will immediately notify the University community of the immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees and begin the evacuation process.  This procedure provides police officials with a methodical procedure to assist and direct vehicles and pedestrians in the fastest and safest manner during an emergency. Under a mandatory evacuation order, it is the responsibility of the individual to self-evacuate using their means of transportation; however, it does identify rally points at each campus for those who cannot immediately depart and may require further assistance.

A campus-wide evacuation could vary depending on the nature of the incident or disaster. Once a decision has been made, it would be a coordinated, methodical process that will be executed in stages, beginning with the area closest to the threat. A graduated evacuation minimizes panic and avoids gridlock on campus roadway systems that are being used by responding emergency vehicles.   

 Action Plan

This plan will be used for pedestrian and vehicular evacuation for all campuses (Glassboro,Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM),Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU),Rowan University at Camden.

 Positions authorized to initiate evacuation orders, warnings and sheltering are; 

1. The President of Rowan University, in coordination with the Executive Management Team
2. Emergency Management Coordinator
3. Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator

 Process to confirm a threat to the University

The Rowan Police Department confirms a serious, on-going threat through the process of either visual observation, officer investigation, or official government reporting. If the threat is confirmed, and the President or authorized personnel has issued the order to evacuate, the message can be communicated to the University community and the Department of Public Safety will initiate the evacuation process.

 Communication and Alerting for a Campus Evacuation

Once the incident is confirmed, the University, without delay, and taking into account the safety of the campus community, determine what information is to be released about the situation, and initiate the notification system, unless issuing a notification will, in the professional judgement of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to or otherwise mitigate the emergency.

The Rowan Police Department uses the University’s mass notification system for quick emergency messaging via text alert or through the Rowan email. This system allows the Rowan Police Department to reach all members of the University, or segments of the campus community by transmitting, either a text message or email with evacuation instructions, depending on the scale, scope and location of the emergency. The university uses a number of communications methods; Communications Protocol.

 Temporary Mass Evacuation Areas for Pedestrians

If someone cannot immediately vacate the campus, we have designated the following buildings to temporarily hold pedestrians until arrangements can be made. The Rowan Police Department would notify, via the mass notification system, what facility would be opened during the emergency.

Glassboro Campus

Rowan SOM

CMSRU

Rowan University at Camden

Shelter in Place

In some situations evacuees would be safer to remain inside rather than take the risk of movement through a hazardous environment.  The decision to shelter in place would be determined based on the type of disaster or emergency encountered at that time and whether an evacuation would create further risk to students, faculty, staff or guests.  Shelter in Place Information. Shelter In Place Information

Motor Vehicle Evacuation Plan

The routes listed below only identify major routes that would likely be considered depending on the emergency, and are not exclusive. All evacuation routes are dependent on the location of the emergency and the decisions made by emergency officials at the time of the incident.

Determine the best evacuation routes away from the campus - Use major highways/roadway systems.

         Glassboro Campus       

• 55
• 47 (Delsea Dr.)
• 322 (East and West)
• 641(Ellis Street)
• 553 (Main Street)
• 682 (Carpenter Street)
• Joseph Bowe Blvd.

  RowanSOM

• East Laurel Road
• Medical Center Derive
• Route 30 South White Horse Pike
• East Atlantic Ave. 

  CMSRU

• Rt. 551 (Broadway)
• Benson Street
• Washington Street
• Williams Street
• Rt. 676 and Rt. 30
• Ben Franklin Bridge
• The Walter Rand Transportation Center, 100 S. Broadway, Camden, NJ 
  

  Rowan University at Camden

• Rt. 676
• Benjamin Franklin Bridge
• Rt. 130
•  Broadway Cooper Street

 Special Needs

Those who are mobility impaired and unable to evacuate by independent means will be assisted by the University.  Residential Learning and University Housing is primarily responsible for the evacuation of those identified with special needs. This function is supported by the Department of Public Safety and Rowan Emergency Medical Services. Any person with a disability or who may need special assistance during an evacuation should notify the Rowan Police Department by dialing 856-256-4911 from any phone with their location, the building name, and room number.

Glassboro Campus - Temporary Holding Location

The Recreation Center has been identified as a temporary holding place for special needs students, faculty, staff, or guests until Rowan University Police can either assist with transportation or arrange other means of relocation.

Rowan SOM - Temporary Holding Location

The Academic Center has been identified where special needs students, faculty, staff, guests can be temporarily help until Rowan Police can either assist with transportation or arrange other options.

CMSRU - Temporary Holding Location

Sheila Roberts Park, located at 6th. and Auburn Sts., in Camden can be used to temporarily hold people, and offer a ramp which will aid those with disabilities.

Rowan University at Camden - Temporary Holding Location

The Camden County College Building has been identified where special needs students, faculty, staff, or guests can be temporarily held until Rowan University Police can either assist with transportation or arrange other options for relocation.

At no time shall special needs personnel be left unattended. A representative from Residential Learning and University Housing, the Rowan Police Department, or EMS will remain on-scene to provide logistical support for those with special needs.