| Over the last 16 years, several large scale natural and man-made disasters have drastically impacted the daily operations of academic institutions across the United States. Incidents such as the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Huricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, the Virginia Tech University shooting, and most recently Hurricanes Harvey and Maria have displayed the vulnerability of many Institutions of Higher Learning to such disastrous events. In addition, such events have caused many colleges and universities began to consider their own levels of preparedness and resiliency while responding to a variety of disasters. However, recent studies of disaster preparedness have indicated that, even with the destruction of these events have caused, many colleges and universities continue to be unprepared to handle a disaster events. The purpose of this qualitative research study is to examine the disaster preparedness and resiliency levels of New Jersey colleges and universities with an on-campus student population and to explore the factors that may influence university officials among these organizations in an effort to adequately prepare for, respond, and be resiliency during a disaster event. The researcher conducted analysis disaster response plans from 30 New Jersey colleges and universities along with information related to university officials perceptions of existing preparedness levels at their respective organizations. In addition, the researcher also investigated specific factors that may influence preparedness and response. Based upon the findings of this research study, it appears that university officials of New Jersey colleges and universities with an on-campus student population have not implemented adequate disaster and/or emergency response plans. Additionally, it was uncovered that executive level leadership among institutions of higher learning significantly influence the preparedness, planning, response, and mitigation efforts of university officials among various organizations. It is the recommendation of this research study that executive level leadership to the opportunity to explore preparation, response, recovery, and resiliency activities recommended by industry agencies in comparison to existing activities executed by their respective administrators and make full disaster preparedness a priority. |
