Earthquake in Chile more than 1,000 miles from Lipscomb group

Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 | 

Lipscomb University students who are studying abroad in Santiago, Chile are more than 1,000 miles away from an earthquake that struck off the coast of northern Chile earlier this evening.
 
Chile statue picUniversity officials have confirmed the safety of all team members.
 
The group of 18 students is led this semester by Lee Camp, professor of theology and ethics at Lipscomb.
 
“All is well here,” he wrote in an email at 10:20 p.m. CST Tuesday. “No effects of the earthquake in Santiago.”
 
Global learning study abroad and mission team leaders receive training for various emergency situations to prepare them for situations like this.
 
“Before a faculty member or team leader is entrusted with the safety and care of students on a global learning experience, they go through training that prepares them for various unexpected situations that may occur,” said L. Randolph Lowry, Lipscomb president. “This is a very important procedure that we have in place to make sure we provide the safest environment possible for our students. The safety and security of our students is a top priority whether they are here on our campus in Nashville or studying thousands of miles away on another continent.”
 
Camp, along with leaders of any global learning trip, are trained on earthquake preparedness. Safety measures that team leaders share with their groups include the following guidelines:
  • During the quaking, stay close to the ground. 
  • The safest place in the apartments during the quake are under the door frames. 
  • Don’t try to get out of the building till the event has passed.
  • If there is a large earthquake while you are out and about try to make your way back to the apartment. Walking would be the best way to get back in those cases. 
  • If it is a big quake we will meet in front of the apartments and regroup, then we will plan our next move.
  • Sending a text message is usually the one of the best methods of communicating in the event of an earthquake. 
Communication with the group proved to be challenging as cell phone networks and Skype connections were overloaded due to the high volume of calls and spotty network coverage in the area following the earthquake.
 
As additional information becomes available, the website will be updated new details.
 
For more information about global learning programs at Lipscomb, visit www.lipscomb.edu/globallearning.