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Hurricane Sandy Update

October 29, 2012


UPDATED TUESDAY OCT. 30, AT 10 a.m.

Dear Parents:

I am writing again with a brief update from campus as Hurricane Sandy appears to be moving out of our area. We sustained little damage on campus, and had minimal and brief disruption to power. We were very pleased with the manner in which our students responded to the guidance and information we have been sending to them since Friday. While the college is closed again today, our Dining Hall is operating as normal. We remind you that you can find communications that have been sent to students on our Web site. While we prepared for the worst, we are obviously pleased and relieved that the storm's impact on our campus has been minimal.

Best,

April Vari

Vice President for Student Development

UPDATED TUESDAY, OCT 30 AT 9:48 a.m.

To the Dickinson College community:

The college will resume full activities on Wednesday, October 31. Classes will resume as normal on Wednesday. Employees who work at 11 p.m. tonight or later should report to work as normal.

Students:

The Dining Hall, Union Station the Quarry and the Underground are open. The Dining Hall will be open regular hours.

Academic buildings are open for study and the Kline Center will open at noon. The Library will remain closed until Wednesday morning.

The Safety Shuttle will resume tonight at 9 p.m.

Events: Tonight's performance of The Spitfire Grill will go on as scheduled at 8 p.m., Mathers Theatre, Holland Union Building. An additional performance has been added tomorrow night at 8 p.m.

College-related travel: College travel, including use of fleet vehicles, will resume tomorrow. However, you are urged to review travel on a case-by-case basis with the Department of Public Safety before embarking based on the conditions of roads en route to your destination and the situation at that location.

UPDATED: MONDAY, OCT. 29 AT 5:44 p.m.

Dear Parents:

Dickinson's emergency response team has been actively at work making provisions to support our students through Hurricane Sandy. We have been communicating regularly with students about a variety of issues including safety, food service availability, academic issues and more. We just alerted students that the college will be closed again tomorrow, Tuesday, October 30. Staff members across the campus are prepared and in regular communication about issues that may arise. For access to the communications and information that we have been sharing with your sons and daughters, please see the special link on our Web site and if you have additional questions that are not answered there, feel free to send me an e-mail and I will respond to you as expeditiously as I am able.

Best,

April Vari, D.Ed.
Vice President for Student Development
Dickinson College

UPDATED: MONDAY, OCT. 29 AT 4:00 p.m.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Borough have declared a state of emergency and asks that for your safety, please remain indoors and stay off of the streets and roadways.

The college will be CLOSED ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30. All classes are cancelled. The Children's Center also is closed. Essential employees should report to work as scheduled. Essential personnel include Dining Services, Public Safety and Facilities Management personnel.

Please note the following academic information: The college has extended the Course Request Period and the Course Withdrawal Deadline until Friday, November 2, at 4 p.m.

Students: Note changes from the 1:30 p.m. message today regarding closing times for the Dining Hall, Devil's Den, Union Station, The Underground and The Quarry.

Off-campus students without a meal plan: Due to the storm and possible issues with getting necessities, Dickinson will be provide free meals in the dining hall on Tuesday, October 30 to off-campus students who do not have a college meal plan. Present your Dickinson ID at the dining hall entrance to gain entrance. If you choose to come to the dining hall, please exercise extreme caution in getting to campus. If you do not feel it is safe to do so, stay indoors.

Dear Students:

Please pay attention to this important message from Vice President April Vari about housing and the possibility of loss of power as Hurricane Sandy approaches.

  • In the event the power goes out the following buildings will be fully backed up by generator and have full power:
  • Atwater
    Armstrong
    Baird-McClintock
    Buchanan
    Conway
    Cooper
    Davidson-Wilson
    Longsdorff
    McKenney
    KW
    Drayer
    HUB
  • If the power goes down, it may take an hour or so for generator systems to bring the above buildings up so please be patient. These buildings will have limited emergency lighting:
  • Adams
    Matthews
    Goodyear
    Malcolm
    Witwer
    Morgan

If you live in any other locations (including small houses) please know that you will be without power should we have a failure. We encourage you to think now about whether you can identify a friend in the Quads (Atwater, Armstrong, Baird McClintock, Buchanan, Conway, Cooper, Davidson-Wilson, Longsdorff), McKenney, KW or Drayer with whom you might stay temporarily. Alternatively, the Social Hall of the HUB will be a shelter point for students without power. The HUB will be on full power.

Whether you are staying with a friend or going to the HUB, bring along blankets, pillows, any medication you might need, and snacks or provisions, warm clothing and a flash light if you have it.

A hallmark of the Dickinson community is that we pull together in challenging circumstances. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and willingness to accommodate friends and classmates who may need assistance.

  • Please pay attention to the following concerns:
  • As the storm moves closer, temperatures will drop. Keep exterior doors and windows closed to conserve heat.
  • We strongly encourage campus community members to avoid flooded areas and standing water.
  • Be aware of typical storm hazards like downed trees and power lines and high winds.
  • Please exercise common sense when there is potential for power loss.
  • Candles and open flames are not permitted in college buildings.

You may wish to charge up phones now so that you have them if needed. Should power go down we ask all students to do everything you can to reduce electricity consumption while we move through this period.

Residential staff (RAs and RCDs) are available in student housing areas and are trained to assist in case of emergency.

Filtered water stations are available in the HUB and Kline Center.

  • Update on Dining for today (Monday):
    The Quarry will close at 4:00 p.m. today.
    The Underground will NOW CLOSE AT 7:30 p.m.
    The Union Station will NOW CLOSE at 7:30 p.m.
    The Dining Hall will NOW CLOSE at 7:30 p.m.
    The Devil's Den will NOW CLOSE at 7:30 p.m.

In the event of a power outage, you may stay in your Shelter in Place site, move-in with a friend or proceed with caution to the HUB. We will issue updates as circumstances unfold through e-mail, Red Alert and the college website so please monitor these sources of information.

Updated Monday, October 29 at 1:23 p.m.

Dear Students:

Please pay attention to this important message about housing and the possibility of loss of power as Hurricane Sandy approaches.

  • In the event the power goes out the following buildings will be fully backed up by generator and have full power
  • Atwater
  • Armstrong
  • Baird-McClintock
  • Buchanan
  • Conway
  • Cooper
  • Davidson-Wilson
  • Longsdorff
  • McKenney
  • KW
  • Drayer
  • HUB

If the power goes down, it may take an hour or so for generator systems to bring the above buildings up so please be patient.

  • These buildings will have limited emergency lighting:
  • Adams
  • Matthews
  • Goodyear
  • Malcolm
  • Witwer
  • Morgan

If you live in any other locations (including small houses) please know that you will be without power should we have a failure. We encourage you to think now about whether you can identify a friend in the Quads (Atwater, Armstrong, Baird McClintock, Buchanan, Conway, Cooper, Davidson-Wilson, Longsdorff) , McKenney, KW or Drayer with whom you might stay temporarily. Alternatively, the Social Hall of the HUB will be a shelter point for students without power. The HUB will be on full power.

Whether you are staying with a friend or going to the HUB, bring along blankets, pillows, any medication you might need, and snacks or provisions, warm clothing and a flash light if you have it.

A hallmark of the Dickinson community is that we pull together in challenging circumstances. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and willingness to accommodate friends and classmates who may need assistance.

  • Please pay attention to the following concerns:
  • As the storm moves closer, temperatures will drop. Keep exterior doors and windows closed to conserve heat.
  • We strongly encourage campus community members to avoid flooded areas and standing water. Be aware of typical storm hazards like downed trees and power lines and high winds. Please exercise common sense when there is potential for power loss. Candles and open flames are not permitted in college buildings.
  • You may wish to charge up phones now so that you have them if needed. Should power go down we ask all students to do everything you can to reduce electricity consumption while we move through this period.
  • Residential staff (RA's and RCD's) are available in student housing areas and are trained to assist in case of emergency.

Filtered water stations are available in the following locations: HUB and Kline

  • Update on Dining for today (Monday):
  • The Quarry will close at 4:00 p.m. today.
  • The Underground will be open until 9:00 p.m.
  • The Union Station will remain open until 9:00 p. m.
  • The Dining Hall will remain open until 7:30 p.m.

In the event of a power outage, you may stay in your Shelter in Place site, move-in with a friend or proceed with caution to the HUB.

We will issue updates as circumstances unfold through e-mail, Red Alert and the college website so please monitor these sources of information.

Best,

Dr. Vari

Vice President, Student Development

UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCT. 28 AT 11:25 p.m.

Dickinson College has been monitoring the path and intensity of Hurricane Sandy. It is now anticipated that the greatest impact of the storm will hit south-central Pennsylvania earlier than expected.

The college will be CLOSED ON MONDAY, OCT. 29. Essential employees should report to work as scheduled. Any additional updates will be relayed through Red Alert.

The following information is offered for your guidance and assistance. Please take a few moments to review this message.

College-related travel: Effective immediately, college-related travel, including the use of fleet vehicles, is suspended. This restriction remains in effect until further notice.

Events: Campus events will continue as planned, but please refer to the college Web site regarding any cancellations or additional emergency information.

Dining: The Dining Hall will be open for normal operating hours. In addition, the Devil's Den will remain open until midnight should you wish to purchase snacks or other provisions. The recreation shuttle runs through 9 p.m. for students who may wish to stock up on provisions, and the safety shuttle also will run from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. The number for the safety shuttle is 717-961-9646.

Parking and vehicular traffic: When parking, exercise good judgment and avoid low-lying areas. Please avoid parking on W. Louther Street between ATS and Cherry Street, because the area is prone to flooding.

General safety: We strongly encourage campus community members to avoid flooded areas and standing water. Be aware of and avoid typical storm hazards such as downed trees and power lines. Please exercise common sense when there is potential for power loss. Candles and open flames are not permitted in college buildings.

Communications: Updates of a serious or timely nature will be sent via Red Alert. If you have not signed up for Red Alert we strongly encourage you to do so now by accessing Gateway.

Please report water leaks, building damage or power loss to facilities at 717-245-1700. If you encounter problems after hours, contact DPS at 717-245-1349.

Residential staff (RAs and RCDs) are available in student housing areas and are trained to assist in case of emergency.

Steps to take in preparation: The action steps below are not all inclusive, and you should refer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's FEMA Web site or the American Red Cross for additional information.

  • Listen frequently to radio, TV or NOAA weather radio for official bulletins of the storm's progress. Pay attention to any announcements posted by the college through e-mail, the Web or social media.
  • During a hurricane or an event with high winds, stay indoors and away from windows.
  • Have a flashlight available, and check batteries in flashlights and radios.
  • Power up all laptops, cell phones, iPads and relevant electronic equipment.
  • Avoid flooded areas. Do not walk, drive through or enter a flooded or barricaded area.

Additional questions can be directed to DPS at 717-245-1349.

UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCT. 29 AT 4:00 p.m.

The college is monitoring the path of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to impact Pennsylvania early next week. In anticipation of significant weather associated with this storm, the college's emergency-response team has begun planning and preparation.

If you have events or trips scheduled for early next week, please initiate internal discussions regarding possible postponements or cancellation plans.

As we move through the next few days, the college will issue updates to the campus community via email and, if necessary, Red Alert. If you are not currently registered for Red Alert, we urge you to do so immediately through Gateway.

If you have any questions regarding registering for Red Alert, call the Department of Public Safety at 717-245-1349.