On Sept. 4, an electrical issue caused 620 W. Lexington St. (the Lexington Building) to suddenly close for several days. While frustrating, this situation highlights the importance of preparing for possible disruptions to your routine in the future.
What is continuity planning?
Continuity planning is about making sure that important work, learning, and research can continue, even if your normal “people, places, or things” aren’t available. Ask yourself:
- People: Who can step in if I’m not available?
- Places: Where could I go if my usual classroom, lab, or office is closed?
- Things: What tools, supplies, or documents do I need most?
Quick tips for readiness:
- Back up your work in more than one place. Use OneDrive, Blackboard, or other secure cloud storage so you’re not relying on just one computer or device.
- Take essentials with you. If you use a laptop or tablet for class or work, bring it with you when you leave for the day.
- Know your backups. Identify a classmate, coworker, or teammate who could help cover responsibilities if you’re out.
- Keep contact information handy. Store phone numbers and email addresses for professors, supervisors, and teammates in your phone. Sync your phone’s contacts with the cloud so you can still access the information even if you don’t have your phone.
- Have a “Plan B” space. Think ahead about where you could study, meet, or work if your usual space is closed.
- Check your plans often. Update contact lists, saved files, and backups regularly so you’re not scrambling when an emergency occurs.
Our UMB Continuity of Operations website provides more tools and resources you can explore. For questions, contact the Office of Emergency Management.
Thank you for helping to build a more prepared and resilient UMB!