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POLICY NUMBER: AS.069
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/1/2025
APPROVAL DATE: 05/04/2025
PURPOSE: To establish a policy focusing on NC-SARA guidelines for catastrophic events at Life University.
ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY: N/A
SCOPE: All students, faculty, and staff and covers both natural and human-made catastrophic events that could disrupt institutional operations, including but not limited to hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics, cyberattacks, or acts of terrorism.
RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: Academics, Operations
RECIPIENTS: Operations, Distance Education
PUBLICATIONS: Student Handbook, University Catalog
DEFINITIONS: Catastrophic Event: A significant disruption to institutional operations due to natural or human-made causes; Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP): A framework for maintaining or restoring essential functions during a catastrophic event.
POLICY TITLE
Catastrophic Event Policy
POLICY STATEMENT
To ensure institutional and academic continuity of operations, student support, and compliance with NC-SARA guidelines during catastrophic events.
PROCEDURE(S)
Disaster Recovery & Student Records Protection
a. The university maintains an IT Disaster Recovery Plan, which is periodically tested to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure, including student records.
b. The Student Records Policy (SS.020) and Life University and FERPA Policy (SS.009) govern the security and confidentiality of student information in all circumstances.
c. In cases where university systems are inaccessible, alternative data backup and retrieval methods will be utilized in accordance with the IT Disaster Recovery Plan.
Operational & Academic Continuity
a. The Emergency Action Task Force, led by the designated university official, oversees decision-making and communication during emergencies.
b. When a disruption impacts academic operations, the university will implement alternative instructional delivery methods, ensuring compliance with Attendance Policy (AS.001), Definition of a Credit Hour Policy (AS.002) and accreditation standards.
c. To support the well-being and continued success of students and faculty during disruptions, the university will coordinate with appropriate departments to provide access to academic accommodations, counseling services, and other relevant support resources.
d. Refund decisions and other financial considerations resulting from catastrophic events will be determined by the Emergency Action Task Force in consultation with university leadership. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis to ensure fair and appropriate responses to the unique circumstances of each event.
Financial Considerations
a. The university carries business interruption insurance to mitigate financial impacts from catastrophic events.
b. Refund decisions for tuition or fees due to extraordinary circumstances will be made by the President in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Emergency Action Task Force, considering regulatory and accreditation requirements.
This policy ensures the university can adapt to unforeseen events while maintaining academic integrity, operational stability, and financial accountability.
OTHER NOTES
N/A
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