University offers business continuity workshop series fall semester

Ohio University’s Facilities Management and Safety division will offer a series of workshops for employees this fall about business continuity issues.

The series, which starts Aug. 31, will cover dealing with crises and emergencies, protecting research, records retention, and winter weather safety.

All of the workshops are brown bag lunch sessions held from noon to 1 p.m. through Microsoft Teams. To register, please contact Bev Wyatt, business continuity coordinator at Ohio University, at wyatt@ohio.edu.

The Business Continuity Brown Bag Lunch Sessions schedule for fall semester:

Aug. 31: The First 72 Hours...Are You Crisis Ready? 

Following a disaster of significant proportion, we need to be prepared to be “on our own” for at least the first 72 hours. What kinds of preparation should be in place both at home and at work? Communications may be down, electricity may be off, commerce may not be functional (ATM’s/credit cards/debit cards may not work), schools are closed, roads may be closed. Society as we know it may come to a standstill. 

Are you ready for this type of disruption? Can your business operations respond nimbly? What can you do now in order to prepare? 

Bev Wyatt, business continuity coordinator, will present.    

Sept. 16:  Is Your Research Protected? 

Ohio University faculty and students participate actively in domestic, international, and world-renowned research programs. Disruption of research by any prolonged event would severely impact the University’s academic and research mission, as well as the reputation and fiscal stability of the institution. 

Preparing for a rapid response and prioritization of projects to minimize the negative effects and rapid restoration of research functions is supported via the OHIO Ready Business Continuity Planning process.   

Join Bev Wyatt, business continuity coordinator, and Lee Ann Williams, associate director of clinical research operations at the Clinical and Translational Research Unit (CTRU), Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, for a discussion on how to identify necessary steps for a clear roadmap for recovery following an emergency situation.  

Oct. 14: Records Retention at Ohio University 

Exercising proper oversight and control of records is essential to the daily business of any institution. It is dictated by state law and by the University that it is the responsibility of every unit of Ohio University to have in place a records retention schedule that has been approved by the university records manager. 

Bill Kimok, Ohio University archivist, records manager, and interim director of the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, will discuss the process of creating—and getting approval for—records retention schedules. 

Kimok also will briefly describe the educational value, success, and increasing popularity among faculty of a new visible and critical thinking instruction session called “See, Think, Wonder,” in which historical items from the Mahn Center’s collections are the focus of student exploration and discovery. 

Nov. 4: Batten Down the Hatches...Winter Storms Are Approaching 

This interactive presentation by Jana Houser, associate professor of meteorology at Ohio University, will cover issues such as things to look for if severe weather threatens, storm chasing, safety and precautionary measures, and facts vs. myths. 

Nov. 18: The Many Hats That We Wear During Emergencies 

Jill Harris, emergency programs manager, and Bev Wyatt, business continuity coordinator, will offer a fun but informative presentation about the many roles that we all must play during an emergency and about the flexibility needed as an emergency unfolds.