Assistance to Students in Disaster and Emergency Areas
Major Disasters and Emergencies within the United States
In the event of a major disaster or emergency that is natural or human-made, Excelsior University will use reasonable and humane judgment to assist those students who have been impacted.
This policy applies to Excelsior University students who reside or are located within areas in the United States that are declared major disaster or emergency areas as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A "major disaster or emergency" is defined by FEMA as:
Major disaster: Any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mud slide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the United States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §5121 et seq., to supplement the efforts and available resources of States, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby.
Emergency: Any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is needed to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.
Major Disasters and Emergencies Outside the United States
This policy also applies to students who reside or are located in major disaster or emergency areas outside the United States. The same benefits that apply to Excelsior University students who reside in declared major disaster or emergency areas in the United States will apply to those students who reside in areas outside the United States that are declared as areas of catastrophe by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation or similar organizations.
Individual Disasters or Emergencies
In the case of individual disasters or emergencies that are not declared major disasters or emergencies by FEMA (or recognized international agencies), Excelsior University will use reasonable and humane judgment to accommodate the student. Accommodations to the student will depend on the special circumstances, but may be similar to those given to students in declared major disaster areas. Students should contact the Ombudsperson Office for assistance.
