8:14 am, August 29, 2011

The Liebowitz Center for International Studies Building IS CURRENTLY WITHOUT POWER and classes cannot be held in the building.

If you have a class in this building, please check your email regularly for notices regarding the ALTERNATE LOCATION of the class (just for today).

Current relocations:

POLS 225 (9:00 - 10:25) – moved to CLASSROOM #4
SPAN 101– (10:00 - 10:55)  moved to DAC 023
ANTH 100 (12:00 - 1:25) – moved to DAC 023
SPAN 100A (1:00 - 1:55) – moved to CLASSROOM #2
SPAN 100B (2:00 - 2:55) – moved to CLASSROOM #2
SOCS 320 (2:00 - 5:00) – moved to DAC 023

Once the power returns, the classes will meet in the regularly assigned classrooms.

4:45 p.m., August 28, 2011

The main entrance to campus is now open. Please drive slowly as the road is down to one lane near the bridge.

3:30 p.m., August 28, 2011

The storm has largely passed, though flooding and power outages remain possible. A combination of good planning and good fortune have made this a much easier day than anticipated.

Upper Campus is reopening. Security officers and the residence directors will assist with transportation back to Upper Campus. Residents of Upper Campus who wish to remain on Lower Campus overnight may do so.

Students are asked to keep residence directors informed as to their whereabouts.

2:00 p.m., August 28, 2011

Rainfall and wind are both minimal at this time, though we expect either or both may pick up again later this afternoon. The main entrance to campus is closed due to road flooding, but the Gate House road is clear and open.

The dining hall is open continuously until dinner ends at 6:30. In the time between brunch and dinner, they are providing the deli bar, salads, snacks, and beverages. Students are welcome anytime.

Boxed meals are being prepared for students who arrive on campus after dinner ends; these can be accessed through Security.

Snacks, as well as the usual supplies, are also available in the Bookstore, which will be open until 5:00.

Due to the storm-related closing of many campus buildings today, the Computer Assistant normally stationed in the library 8 pm to midnight will be stationed in the Sprague Lounge in the Student Union.

Update, 11:30 a.m., August 28, 2011

The storm arrived earlier than expected, so students were evacuated from upper campus between 7:30 and 8:00 this morning. Upper Campus was evacuated for the following reasons:

• In the event of a power outage, the campus generator powers Lower Campus only.
• To ensure students can safely get to the Dining Hall.
• To ensure that in the event the phone system is compromised by the weather, all students on campus can still access Security, residence directors, and administrators on call.

All Upper Campus students have places to stay and were incredibly cooperative.

It’s been raining steadily for hours, but the wind so far is less strong than expected. Power remains on. If possible, the Upper Campus will re-open later today.

Hurricane Irene continues to move up the Eastern Seaboard. We anticipate that it will arrive in New England Sunday and its effects may be felt through the night.

While Great Barrington is not within the direct path of the storm, it isn't uncommon for us to temporarily lose power, phones and Internet connectivity when we experience heavy wind and rain.

Bard College at Simon’s Rock has weathered wind, rain and snow many times. We have:

• Well developed procedures to maintain safety and comfort on campus
• Processes to determine whether regular operations continue or are temporarily suspended
• Multiple means to be in touch with one another

While there is little reason for us in the Berkshires to be alarmed by Hurricane Irene, we need to follow smart practices and use common sense to help ensure that all of us and our campus are as safe and sound as possible.

Please review the emergency preparedness procedures in the letter for students from Student Affairs