What if the U.S. goes to war?

Military Mobilization

Students who are serving on active duty with the armed forces who are notified of deployment, or students who are serving on reserve or National Guard duty who are called to active service, must contact the Office of the Registrar to withdraw from classes.

Students must provide a copy of their military orders.

The Office of the Registrar will withdraw students from their classes and notify the instructors and advisor of the student's withdrawal.  (This means students will NOT need to contact each instructor for authorization to withdraw.)

The Office of the Registrar will coordinate with Student Financial Services to verify that the student is withdrawing to comply with military orders such that a pro-rated refund of tuition and fees may be appropriate.

The Office of the Registrar will also notify the Director of Academic Advising, the Associate Dean for Student Services, the Associate Director for Residential Life, and any other official that is appropriate for each student.

The Office of Student Financial Services will meet with the student regarding his/her financial aid commitments, including waiver of repayment of Washington State Need Grant funds and calculation of necessary return of federal aid dollars.

The Office of Student Financial Services will provide for the student a summary of financial arrangements in writing within 3 business days.

Information on Campus Emergency Preparedness 

Will there be a draft? 

A discussion of military service and conscientious objection, including resource links, can be referenced at http://www.ups.edu/dsa/spirituality_justice/draft.htm. 

University Crisis Response Procedures

The University has plans for responding to on-campus crises, natural disasters, or terrorist acts.  Campus community members are encouraged to review the On-Campus Crisis and Natural Disaster Response Plans located on the University web site at http://www.ups.edu/news/disaster/disaster.htm. During a crisis, disaster, or terrorist act, this web site will also be used to communicate specific response information to the campus community.  Puget Sound developed its plans in coordination with appropriate city and county agencies.

It does not appear Puget Sound is a likely target for terrorist acts.  Historically, the University has also avoided major on-campus crises.  Nevertheless, Puget Sound should be prepared to react quickly and effectively to crisis situations.

The On-Campus Crisis plan is general intentionally because there are wide ranges of potential crises and impacts to the campus community and/or facilities.  Therefore, a general plan that can be applied to specific circumstances is most appropriate.  The plan facilitates the gathering of administrators to expedite and coordinate crisis response.  For on-campus crises, the University would also obtain comprehensive and immediate assistance from outside professionals such as police, fire and/or medical aid professionals.

The Natural Disaster Response Plan contains more detailed responsibilities and procedures because it is oriented primarily to earthquake response the most significant Pacific Northwest natural disaster risk.  The Natural Disaster Response Plan is also more detailed because in a natural disaster (as opposed to a campus-only crisis), the University must rely more extensively on its own resources.  Outside professional assistance is limited during the first days after a disaster when an entire region is affected. The Natural Disaster Response Plan identifies the basic responsibilities and procedures for key departments and administrators.  A number of departments, such as Facilities Services, maintain more comprehensive departmental plans that coordinate with the campus-wide plan.

While we hope to avoid crises, natural disasters, terrorist acts, and weather-related campus closures, we must be prepared to react to adverse circumstances.  The On-Campus Crisis, Natural Disaster and Inclement Weather Emergency Closure Plans are intended to provide a framework for effective response.  Please review web site plans as described above to assist in your preparedness for potential campus crises, natural disasters, or inclement weather emergency closures.

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