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Loyola CAS Continuity of Operations Guidance for Faculty and Teaching Staff

Main Responsibilities of All Full-Time/Part-Time Faculty and Teaching Staff

1. 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.
  • Stay up to date with the university’s LMS (Canvas).
    • Please see a list of Canvas tutorials here. 
  • Create a plan to have reliable internet connectivity within 48 hours of announcement of the evacuation or suspension. (See here for announcements.) 
  • Ensure that each of your courses has a presence on Canvas. Please see section II of the university’s LMS policy for specific requirements and recommended uses.
  • Use the LMS as the primary source/repository of teaching materials, grades, etc. In the event the faculty member is unable to continue their teaching duties, the Dean may need to assign another faculty member to teach the course and, therefore, access to all these materials will be provided by an LMS administrator.
  • Develop and communicate course work and assignments appropriate for evacuation/suspension periods and, when appropriate, distribute prior to evacuation/suspension.
  • Please note that students will also be displaced, and some will be without power, or on phone-only connectivity. Where possible consider asynchronous, low-bandwidth-first design and provide a baseline expectation about flexibility on deadlines and attendance for students who can't connect reliably. 
  • Prepare to take equipment, supplies, and documents needed to continue instructional activities during evacuation/suspension.
  • Science faculty only: Ensure that research laboratories and sensitive equipment are secure and that temperature sensitive supplies (e.g., tissue or cell cultures, certain chemicals, etc.) or materials that require constant care are evacuated/secured as appropriate.
  • Science faculty only: Notify departmental Chairperson and Dean of lab location and access needs. All campus buildings will be locked during suspension of campus operations. No access will be allowed until authorized by the Director of Risk Management and LUPD. 

2. During Evacuation/Suspension

  • If you are in immediate danger or have a medical emergency: Call 911. If you are on campus, contact LUPD: 504-865-3434, police@loyno.edu, https://publicsafety.loyno.edu/.
  • If you need psychological first aid or crisis counseling: Use the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 800-955-6422, www.resourcesforliving.com, https://operations.loyno.edu/human-resources/
  • If you have questions about work-displacement, leave, or similar matters: Contact Loyola Human Resources, 504-864-7757, HRdept@loyno.edu
  • Other Pressing Needs: Contact the Dean’s Office for troubleshooting
  • Communicate with the Chairperson regarding the status of courses within 48 hours of an evacuation or suspension of on campus operations. The Chairperson will relay this information to the Dean, so please don’t send this separately unless you are unable to reach your Chairperson. 
  • Continue course instruction according to the university’s Instructional Responsibilities and Enrollment Policies.

3. 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.
  • The Provost will provide guidance regarding contact hours, revised assignment deadlines, grade submission dates, and the withdrawal deadlines will be disseminated.
  • Your Chairperson will confirm course resumption with your course resumption and report to the Dean's Office about any courses that have not been resumed so assistance can be provided. Resume instruction on the announced schedule and notify your Chairperson if you cannot do so.
  • All campus buildings will be locked during suspension of campus operations. No access will be allowed until authorized by the Director of Risk Management and LUPD. Normal access to buildings will resume when operations return.

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 
    • 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.