Dean of Students
Student Affairs Office

Greetings:

As you know, severe weather is predicted to affect significant portions of the Northeast this weekend. Simon’s Rock’s Emergency Planning Task Force are monitoring Hurricane Irene and preparing to work together with those on campus to minimize the impact and be sure everyone is cared for to the best of our abilities. Please read this document closely as it contains important information about plans and communications for students, faculty, and staff.

All first-years and seniors are already here on-campus, participating in Orientation and Senior Workshop activities. The Residence Life and Security Staff will be meeting with these students to be sure they know the emergency plans. The Physical Plant and Dining Services staff is preparing for the storm by ordering extra food, fuel, and supplies and servicing necessary equipment in the event that we are without power for an extended period.

The college has an emergency generator that it will use if power is down for a significant amount of time. The generator allows us to provide power to most of Lower Campus, but will not power Upper Campus and a number of the outlying houses. Therefore, some buildings may close during the storm.

Open and Closed areas of Campus

All First-year and Senior students are already here on-campus, participating Orientation and Senior Workshop activities. The Residence Life and Security Staff will be meeting with these students to be sure they know the emergency plans. The Physical Plant and Dining Services staff is preparing campus for the storm, bringing in getting extra supplies in the event they are needed or we are without power for an extended period.

Upper Campus Closing—Noon Sunday to Noon Monday

The following buildings will remain open during the storm:

• Crosby
• Dolliver
• Kendrick
• Hill House
• Student Union
• Dining Hall

RDs will be on duty in Crosby, Dolliver, Kendrick, and Hill. In the unlikely event that one of the above listed buildings needs to close, you will be notified.

The following buildings will be closed from noon on Sunday through Monday morning:

• Pibly
• Cottage
• Carriage House
• All other campus buildings.

We recognize that this is inconvenient for Upper Campus residents and thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Preparation for Upper Campus Closing

To prepare for the upper campus closing on Sunday, RD Keon Diggs and the Upper Campus PAs will work with residents to help them identify alternate places on campus to stay from noon Sunday until noon Monday. Keon will document those arrangements so we know that everyone is accounted for. Please confirm your specific arrangements with him no later than Saturday evening by 9:00 PM.

The RDs will assist finding anyone who doesn’t have a space to stay find a place for the night. It has been our experience here at Simon’s Rock, that most students will find a friend to stay with in an emergency, and most prefer this model.

Before the Storm:

• Charge your cell phone, and shut it off. Use the power sparingly and save the battery for emergency use.
• Unplug any electronic equipment well before the storm arrives. Power surges from lightning do cause serious damage to these items. Unplug Internet cables as well.
• Before 6:00 pm on Saturday night, call home to let your family know that the school is working to keep students informed, prepared, and as safe as possible.
• Let them know that we anticipate power and landline telephone outages. If they live on the East Coast, they may have them or could already be experience outages themselves.
• Set a time to check in with your family again by phone, text, and/or email about six hours after the storm has passed.
• Text messages are more reliable from campus than cell phone calls, so it might be the best way to communicate if you are unable to use the college’s phone system. Again, remember to charge and preserve your phone battery.    
• Let your parents know that the College will periodically update campus conditions on the website: www.simons-rock.edu/campus-updates.

During the Storm:

• When thunder roars, get indoors!
• It is not is safe to be outside when lightning is in the area.
• If you must go out (to get to the dining hall or back to your dorm) stay out from under trees and branches. High winds will bring down trees and limbs, as well as power lines.
• DO NOT GO NEAR DOWNED POWER LINES OR WIRES.
• Report problems or concerns to your RD. They will be able to contact Security during the storm.
• Do not be fooled if there is a lull in the storm; things may quickly pick up again. The storm is huge and may take hours to clear our region.
• Avoid unnecessary use of plumbing during an electrical storm (i.e. showering, bathing, laundry), as plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
• The Dining Hall and Student Union will be open for students throughout the storm.
• Fire Safety is paramount in a weather emergency. The only form of alternative light permitted must be battery powered. NO candles or other burning materials allowed.

For Students returning over the weekend:

• The Dining Hall and Student Union will be open for students throughout the storm. All Juniors and Sophomores may to return to campus Friday or Saturday, in advance of the storm.
• Room keys will be available at Security.
• Meals will be provided in the dining hall to all students in advance of the start of the semester’s meal plan, Sunday night.
• If you live on Upper Campus, please follow the instructions listed above regarding upper campus closing.
• If you are still planning to arrive on Sunday, it will be best to get here early.

For Students who may be stranded at home or in airports:

• We expect some students to be delayed in their travels to campus. Don’t worry. If you are delayed while in transit, communicate with both the campus and your family so that we know where you are.
• Nothing is more important than safety right now.
• If your arrival plans need to change, try to arrive Monday or Tuesday after the storm is over. Please let us know your plans and timing as soon as possible.
• Email your RD, Marty Checchi or me (rgraves@simons-rock.edu) to let us know if you plan to arrive late. We will get messages to the Transportation Office and to Academic Affairs if you might be late. If you can't reach us by email, please contact Security.

Security will open 24/7, and can be reached at (413) 528-7291.

Thank you all for your cooperation and support of each other, and of the staff.

Stay safe,

Bob