Crisis Communications

In my Crisis Communications class, we were assigned to create our own PR disaster and determine how to manage it.

Project Description: A sinkhole has appeared on the UTampa campus, destroying the newly constructed Grand Center building during the W.O.W. (Week of Welcome). The Grand Center, which is a 10-floor building that houses 600 first-year students, a 5-floor parking garage, and classrooms, collapsed and left the University of Tampa with multiple issues. The sinkhole was near 500,000 square feet, completely engulfing the building. This occurred on August 21st, 2024, during move-in week at the University of Tampa. At 9:30 am, the Grand Center collapsed into a giant sinkhole.

Scope: This project included Key Information on the event, our Goals and Strategies, an Evaluation Plan, a Theme and Logo, a Theme and Timeline, and Sample Messages.

Approach: To asses the damage done to the building, share information/inform The University of Tampa community of the sinkhole and the damages, change beliefs to rebuild trust, change behaviors/take steps to recovery in the aftermath of the sinkhole crisis.

Outcome: Provide a comprehensive timeline of events, including the immediate response and a post-crisis plan, an estimated budget of all costs, emails that will be sent out to the community, social media posts, and an app called "Spartan Shuttle," designed to assist UT students in the aftermath.