Shaken but not Stirred - University of Canterbury

Forward
Planning for an emergency might seem like make-believe. Many of us are not enthusiastic at “role
playing” exercises. At times they might even seem childish. There are always competing claims on the
time of senior management teams and carving out time to prepare for a low-probability event we would
all hope never happens can be hard. The story of the University of Canterbury and the September 4th
Earthquake stand as testimony to the real benefits even modest engagement by the senior team can
have. It signals to those more directly responsible the priority and commitment by the organisation.
We did get lucky, however, and had a glimpse of what it might have been like if an earthquake as severe
or more severe had struck while classes were in progress. I would encourage you to read this report and
reflect on it. No two incidents will ever be the same, but how we plan and how we respond are
inextricably linked. We are making the University of Canterbury better than ever, with strengthened
shelving, safety glass and ceiling reinforcement for example. But in addition, from our experience we
will build a better organisation, with better response systems that will help us when faced with other
types of incidents.
I want to acknowledge and thank the many hundreds of people who directly and indirectly supported
the University in its preparations and response. It was reassuring to note that there was no statistically
significant difference between the grade point average of students in the second semester of 2009 and
the second semester of 2010 which included the earthquake. Our staff and students responded calmly
and professionally and got on with the job of research, teaching and learning in a way we can all be
proud to say we were a part of – a world-class response. Well done.
Postscript: At 12.51pm on Tuesday 22 February 2011 luck ran out for the city of Christchurch when an
earthquake measuring 6.3 caused significant damage to the Central Business District and Eastern
suburbs of Christchurch. With the confirmed death toll standing at 181 and an estimate that over a
quarter of all CBD buildings and thousands of homes have been destroyed, we are left with the question
– was it just luck that there were no deaths or serious injuries on the University’s campus even although
the quake struck in the middle of the day when full classes mustering over 4,000 students were in
session? Within three weeks the university was open and classes were running, timetables
reconstructed and courses redesigned, but it will take years to remediate buildings. Two months after
the February quake, just under 95% of students enrolled at the University of Canterbury on 22 February
are still enrolled today. Our priority was to ensure the safety of our students and staff, communicate
with and support our staff and students, and maintain the student body. This report focuses on the
September earthquake and no doubt a sequel will fully describe the subsequent event.
Insert electronic signature
Rod Carr
University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor
5