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Loyola CAS Continuity of Operations Guidance for Chairpersons

Main Responsibilities of Chairpersons 

Pre‑Evacuation/Suspension

  • Print this webpage and bring with you.
  • Become familiar with Loyola’s continuity plans for Academic Affairs and print whatever material you deem useful to bring with you.
  • Review the university’s hurricane preparedness website and print whatever material you deem useful to bring with you.
  • Prepare to connect to faculty and staff during the evacuation/suspension. Emergency contact information for all faculty and staff in your department was shared with Chairpersons on August 12. Please keep them with your printed copy of this document after verifying its content with your department members.
  • Designate a second-in-command and communicate that to the Dean’s Office by September 1. The second-in-command can fill in for you if you are unable to fulfill your responsibilities because of the situation. 
  • Ensure faculty in your unit have plans in place for continuation of course instruction.

During Evacuation/Suspension

  • Contact all faculty and staff in the department within 48 hours of the announcement of the evacuation or suspension. (See here for the announcement of the evacuation or suspension.)
    • Confirm that each person is safe and has access to shelter, power, food, water, and medical care as needed.
      • If anyone reports being unsafe or in need of assistance, use the following protocol and then contact the Dean's Office immediately afterwards:
      • Immediate Danger or Medical Emergency: Direct them to call 911 then LUPD if on campus: 504-865-3434 (police@loyno.edu, LUPD - https://publicsafety.loyno.edu/)
      • Psychological First Aid or Crisis Counseling: Refer them to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 800-955-6422, https://operations.loyno.edu/human-resources/human-resources-manual-employee-assistance-program-eap
      • Work Displacement, Leave, and HR Questions: Direct them to Human Resources: 504-864-7757 (HRdept@loyno.edu)
      • Other Pressing Needs: Contact the Dean’s Office for troubleshooting.
      • If you cannot reach someone within 48 hours, notify the Dean's Office while continuing to attempt contact.
    • Ask each person with teaching responsibilities, “Are you able to continue teaching your courses?”
      • If yes, no further action is needed.
      • If no, ask whether they expect to be able to resume.
        • If yes, ask for an estimated date and report it to the Dean's Office within 24 hours.
        • If no, contact the Dean's Office immediately so that course coverage can be arranged.
    • Help keep faculty and staff in the department informed of any new information disseminated by the administration.
    • Forward emails and texts from the university’s administration about the emergency and the university response to it.
    • Ask faculty and staff if they have questions about these emails and texts and answer them if possible. Questions you cannot answer should be directed to the Dean's Office. 

After Evacuation/Suspension

  • The President, along with university leadership and the Emergency Management Team, will continue to make any and all decisions that affect the institution, including the decision to return from an evacuation/suspension.
  • Please check the emergency website for all updated information. This information will also be shared via emergency text alerts and notifications on all platforms, including email and social media channels.
  • Guidance regarding contact hours, revised assignment deadlines, grade submission dates, and the withdrawal deadlines will be disseminated.
  • Chairs will confirm course resumption with faculty members and report to the Dean's Office about any courses that have not been resumed so assistance can be provided.

Dean’s Office Contact Information during an Evacuation/Suspension:

  • Dean Leonard Kahn
    • Work email: lakahn@loyno.edu
    • Office number: (504) 865-3054 (will forward to cell phone)
    • Mongoose number: (504) 336-1516
  • Associate Dean Tim Welsh 
    • Work email: twelsh@loyno.edu
    • Office number: (504) 865-3494  
  • Assistant Dean Paul Buehler (designated as third-in-command per this document)
    • Work email: pbuehler@loyno.edu
    • Office number: (504) 865-2139
    • Mongoose number: (504) 370-2274

    Endorsed unanimously by the Dean's Advisory Council: August 17, 2026.