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How to Continue When Disaster Strikes NCWE National Conference October 22, 2012

How to Continue When Disaster Strikes NCWE National Conference October 22, 2012. Germanna Community College. Located in north central Virginia Serves seven counties and one city Serves over 10,000 students Two Campuses, two Centers, & several off-site locations. Earthquake!.

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How to Continue When Disaster Strikes NCWE National Conference October 22, 2012

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  1. How to Continue When Disaster Strikes NCWE National Conference October 22, 2012

  2. Germanna Community College • Located in north central Virginia • Serves seven counties and one city • Serves over 10,000 students • Two Campuses, two Centers, & several off-site locations

  3. Earthquake! • August 23, 2011 at 1:51pm • Duration of about 30 seconds; 5.8 magnitude • Epicenter about 30 miles from Germanna campuses • Felt up and down much of the east coast, in over a dozen states • Felt by more people than any other US quake

  4. Immediate Impact at Germanna • Falling ceiling tiles, light fixtures, and bookshelves • Some general anxiety; still waiting for “the big one?” • Communication lost/limited; no cell connections • Fairly orderly evacuation • Traffic gridlocked

  5. The First 24 Hours • The college will be closed until ?? • Evaluating the extent of damage • Personal belongings & security of offices/ classrooms • Our students, our faculty, our programs, our equipment?

  6. Insanity Ensues! • Leadership teams meets daily • “By end-of-business today, you will decide when Germanna will re-open!” • While simultaneously: • Evaluating extent of physical damage • Determining who and how much is impacted • Wondering about possible options? • Fearing we don’t have enough staff and resources to succeed

  7. Overall Damage Report and Losses • Daniel Center and Stafford Center - minor damage • Fredericksburg Area Campus - significant damage to Dickinson Building • 70,000 SF • Represents 1/3 of college’s physical space • Houses faculty offices, classrooms, library, admissions & records, cafeteria, cashier, Veterans Affairs, security, ODU, Middle College, GED testing… The Fredericksburg Area Campus Workforce Building is structurally sound, though!

  8. Academic Services Losses • Loss of 6 science labs • Loss of library, bookstore, core services • Loss of instructional classroom and labs for 4400 students • 321 courses were originally scheduled to be in the Dickinson Building • 51 courses were changed to online • 155 courses were changed to hybrid courses • 7 courses were canceled or consolidated

  9. Lots of Changes

  10. Workforce Services Losses • Complete dislocation from Fredericksburg Area Campus!

  11. Workforce Losses • Two fully equipped computer rooms • Two adjoined event/corporate training rooms • Executive conference room • Auditorium with stage, seating 100 • Large lobby areas for events, receptions, registration • One fully equipped healthcare room and office • All workforce staff offices (8 staff)

  12. The Call for Help! “We received word this morning that the Fredericksburg campus of Germanna Community College suffered extensive damage. The school has lost the use of its largest classroom building on the campus. Germanna President Dr. David Sam has sent out an urgent call for temporary help: • alternative classroom space (approximately 25 spaces are needed) • science lab space • computer lab space • office space (approximately 50 displaced employees) • If you can help, please contact Germanna Vice President Jeanne Wesley at (540)820-5564 or JWesley@germanna.edu.”

  13. Potential Off Site Locations • Growing Kids Academy • Learn & Play Children’s Center • Rappahannock EMS • Liberty Lanes Bowling • Spotsylvania Career & Technical Center • Fredericksburg Red Cross • Providence Service Corporation • Fredericksburg Regional “One-Stop” Workforce Center • Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce • Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center • SimVentions • and many, many more…

  14. How we Roll Classes at Offsite Locations • Constant evaluation of: each class’s needs, student needs, proximity to campus, facility capabilities, staffing, technology, and more • Constant communications : email, web, signage, phone messages, social media • Negotiating terms and conditions of off-site facilities

  15. Matrix of Workforce Class Details

  16. Planning our New LocationOctober 2011 …The Plans …The Place • Location? • Lease details? • Packing? • Selecting/Purchasing Furniture? • Will it work out OK?

  17. Packing Up Plenty to do

  18. Occupying our New Location Nice new facility The plusses: Professional, business environment New computer labs New corporate training rooms Space for small events Staff have their own offices Riverside Center, in Stafford

  19. Some Drawbacks…. Phone conferencing? Though we press on… Internet, phones, and IT are inconsistent No Security on duty! No IT staff support! No B & G staff on duty! Our faculty, staff & students fend for themselves! Finding all our things?

  20. Lessons Learned • Pick the re-open date ASAP • Partnerships are paramount • Communications – early and often, using internet, web, and social media • Meet with leadership/staff teams early and often • Visibility in the community • Value of technology • Keep critical information close at hand • Cross training of staff • Flexibility with staff scheduling • iPhone and iPad apps • Know where your COOP plan is • Keep your sense of humor!

  21. A Note of Recognition From: David Sam Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 2:02 PM To: *ALL GERMANNA* Subject: Recognition by Governor McDonnell of your good work after the earthquake Importance: High Colleagues: I have received a letter of commendation addressed to everyone at Germanna from the Governor. In part, the letter states the following: Dear Friends: As we mark the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that rocked the Commonwealth and inflicted untold physical and emotional damage on countless Virginians, I wanted to express my profound appreciation for the work that Germanna Community College has undertaken these past twelve months. Your campus persevered in the wake of a truly unexpected natural disaster. Not many organizations could lose the use of one-third of their facilities, redesign their entire operating procedures, re-open ten days later, and grow their business. With enrollment rising by 3.9% last fall, it is clear that Germanna Community College not only succeeded in returning its campus to working order, but continued to grow in the face of those challenges. Virginia is strengthened by its outstanding community college system, as well as the people who work within it…. Again, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I commend you all on a job well done. Thank you for hard work thus far and best wishes for the continued success of Germanna Community College. Sincerely, Robert F. McDonnell

  22. Where we are Today • Continued work on Dickinson Building • We plan to move back in Dec. 2012

  23. Thank You for Joining Us Contact information: Jeanne Wesley, PhD Jwesley@germanna.edu Martha O’Keefe mokeefe@germanna.edu

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