Emergency Planning for WashU Events
WashU is proud to host a wide variety of events that make our campus vibrant, engaging, and welcoming. Whether your event is large or small, safety and preparedness should always be part of the planning process.
An Event Emergency Plan is required for events expecting 500 or more attendees (indoor or outdoor).
Planners of smaller events are also encouraged to develop an emergency plan, which will help prepare staff and volunteers to respond effectively in the event of an emergency.
Please use the Initial Event Submission form to get started.
Why does this matter?
The safety of our campus community and visitors is always a priority. Event organizers play a key role in minimizing risks and communicating emergency procedures to event staff and volunteers. A completed Event Emergency Plan helps your team think through basic safety protocols and ensures everyone knows how to respond if the unexpected happens.
Additional Considerations:
- An Event Emergency Plan is a safety tool; it does not constitute event approval or permission to use campus spaces.
- Event space approvals follow the University’s Facility Use Policy.
- Student sponsored events must apply through the WashU Group Organizer.
For indoor events, please refer to the emergency reference maps posted within campus buildings. To request a building-specific map or to discuss event safety planning, contact washuready@washu.edu.
Together, we can ensure WashU events are not only memorable but also safe and prepared.