Q. How can I deal with the anxiety I (or my child or my roommate) is feeling?

A. Fear and anxiety are a normal reaction.  General advice for dealing with stress apply.

• Keep to routines.  Go to class.  Maintain your daily schedule.
• Consider limiting exposure to violent tv news, movies and videos.   Each person is going to have highly individualized reactions, but for many young people watching the 9/11 scene over and over on tv added to anxiety levels.  For others, feeling informed is going to help bring back a sense of control. 
• Talk about your feelings with friends and family members.  If you're concerned about your child's reaction or a friend's stress level, bring up the subject.  Are they keeping things in perspective?  Are they functioning ok? 
• If you or someone you know is experiencing severe stress that is interfering with daily life, urge them to contact the Student Counseling Service at  529-4634.
  
  

Q. How can I prepare for an emergency and assemble an emergency kit?

A. Most emergency preparedness suggestions are common-sense preparations that are readily available and not too difficult to put together on your own. Food, water, emergency items (i.e., blankets, flashlights, radios, etc.) and first-aid supplies should be considered as items needed in weather-related emergencies (tornadoes, floods, ice storms) as well as potential terrorist threats. For detailed information and advice go to www.ready.gov.

Q. What can I do if I see something that is unusual or suspicious on campus?

A. You should contact the university police at 529-2222 and report anything you feel is important enough that it should be investigated by law enforcement.

Q. What is being done to protect the Miami community against bioterrorism?

A. Although the site of a biological terrorist attack can’t be anticipated or identified, the personnel and equipment that would be needed to respond to it can be. Response mechanisms have been identified and plans are in place to assist in the event of a campus emergency. University and Oxford Police, Oxford Fire and EMS departments, and the campus Environmental Health & Safety Offices are involved in emergency operations planning.

Q. If a campus emergency ever involves the release of hazardous materials, what would I do?

A.The university community should expect to be directed to remain inside or to take shelter indoors in the closest residence hall or other campus building.

To "shelter in place"--or stay in a safe place protected from the hazard--close all doors and windows. Move to an interior room away from as many windows as possible. It may take time for local authorities or university officials to advise about what is happening. Remain in the shelter until you are notified that it is safe to leave.

Residence Life Staff, on call 24 hours daily, seven days a week, and staff from housing would implement the "shelter in place" program and provide directions and share information updates.

Emergency and communication plans developed, updated and refined over several years will be activated when and if our campus ever receives such a threat.

In the meantime, individuals should consider making plans for their own emergency communications. Discuss those plans with co-workers, classmates, roommates, parents and friends.

If you have questions you wish to submit, send them to muemergency@muohio.edu.