Storm updates: A chronology

A chronology of updates as they were posted regarding the freak October snowstorm that caused cancellation of three days of classes.

(11:30 a.m. Wednesday 11/2) A safety assessment has been completed of all campus residences and buildings. Residence halls are now open, and students may return to their rooms.

(8:00 a.m., Wednesday, 11/2) Power has been restored to campus this morning and we are asking students to report to campus no earlier than 4 p.m. today. We understand this is a compressed time frame, but are doing all we can to return to normal operations at the university as quickly as possible. Classes are canceled for today, Wednesday, but will resume tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 3rd. Four o’clock exams scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 3rd will be moved to Tuesday, Nov. 15th.

Staff and faculty should report to work at noon today. Campus facilities are currently being brought online and staff are asked to be patient as crews work to solve the last remaining issues. All facilities are being inspected for safety. If staff have a specific building-related issue to report upon your return, contact Facilities at 610-758-3940.

This has been an unprecedented challenge and we appreciate the cooperation and understanding we've received from students, parents, faculty and staff. We have worked closely with the utility company to bring power back as quickly as possible and work crews have been working around the clock since the weekend storm disrupted power.

(5:00 am., Wednesday, 11/2) Power has been restored to campus. Staff and faculty should report to work at noon today, Wednesday, 11/2. Classes are still canceled for the day.

Campus facilities are currently being brought online and staff are asked to be patient as crews work to solve the last remaining issues. All facilities are being inspected for safety. If you have a specific building-related issue to report upon your return, contact Facilities at 610-758-3940.

A reminder that for health and safety reasons, we are asking students to not report to their residence halls before 4 p.m. today as there is essential work, such as engaging fire safety and security systems, that must be done to prepare buildings.

(8:10 pm., Tuesday, 11/1) It is our intention to welcome students back to campus beginning Wednesday, 11/2 at 4 p.m. and to hold classes Thursday, 11/3. Four O’clock exams scheduled for Thursday will be moved to Tuesday, 11/15.

The final determination will depend upon an overnight test by the utility company to evaluate its ability to provide full power to the campus. We are hopeful that this will be successful, but we will not know the results until early Wednesday morning.

It is important that you check our website at www.lehigh.edu or call 610-758-NEWS (6397) after 8 a.m. Wednesday morning before you make plans to return to campus.

For health and safety reasons, students are not permitted to return to their residences prior to 4 p.m. as there is essential work, such as engaging fire safety and security systems, that must be done to prepare the buildings.

This has been an unprecedented challenge and we appreciate the cooperation and understanding we've received from students, parents, faculty and staff. We have worked closely with the utility company to bring power back as quickly as possible and work crews have been working around the clock since the weekend storm disrupted power.

(9:00 a.m., Tuesday, 11/1) The university remains closed today, 11/1, and classes are canceled. Classes are also canceled for Wednesday, 11/2. We ask that faculty and staff call 610-758-NEWS or visit the university home page after 5 a.m. tomorrow morning to see if the campus is open on Wednesday and they need to report to work.

Students who need temporary housing should contact Residential Services at 610-758-3500. (Staff will be there to assist students.) For safety reasons, students are not permitted to return to residence halls until they are informed to do so.

Staff seeking maintenance assistance or wishing to report facilities issues during regular business hours, call 610-758-6810.

(5:00 a.m., Tuesday, 11/1) The university is closed today and classes are canceled. Essential services staff should contact their supervisors before reporting to work. A decision on the status of Wednesday classes will be made by 9 a.m. this morning.

A reminder that for safety reasons we do not want students returning to residence halls that do not have lights or heat. Faculty and staff that need to visit their offices to retrieve material must do so before 4 p.m. today.

(9:45 a.m. Monday, 10/31) The university is dealing with a power outage that is affecting the majority of its buildings. Because of this, we have made the decision to cancel classes today and tomorrow, 11/1. Unfortunately, we do not know when power will be restored.

We ask that all faculty and staff call 758-NEWS or check our web site after 5 a.m. Tuesday morning to see if the campus is open. Faculty will also receive a separate note from the Provost about rescheduling 4 o’clock exams and classes.

Students are being housed in temporary housing on campus where there is power, though some have chosen to return home or stay off-campus. Students who need housing while this situation is ongoing should go to Windish Hall, across from Rauch Business Center. (Staff will be there to assist students.) For safety reasons, we do not want students returning to residence halls that do not have lights or heat.

Food service in Rathbone and Brodhead for students on campus will continue to operate on a normal schedule. The Health Center will be closing at 1 p.m today.

We have received great cooperation from students and their parents during this time. Thank you for your continued patience while we deal with this situation.

(5:00 a.m, 10/31) Classes for Monday, October 31st are canceled due to a power outage. Only essential services staff are expected to report to campus. Non-faculty instructional staff and non-instructional staff should not report to work.

A determination on Tuesday classes for students will be made this morning at 9 a.m.

(8:00 P.M., Sunday, 10/30) This is a reminder that classes for Monday, October 31st are canceled due to a power outage. Essential services staff, non-faculty instructional staff and non-instructional staff are currently expected to report to work if power is restored. Please call 758-NEWS and check the university web page beginning at 5 a.m. Monday morning if there are changes to this.

A determination on Tuesday classes for students will be made by Monday morning at 9 a.m. Dining services at Rathbone and Brodhead are currently open and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for students.

(2:41 P.M., Sunday, 10/30) All residence halls and Greek houses will be closing at 5 p.m. Sunday, October 30th, and students will not be allowed to remain in them due to power outages. The university will be closed on Monday, October 31st, due to the power outage and no classes will be held. A determination on Tuesday classes will be made by Monday morning at 9 a.m.

Faculty and staff are asked to call 758-NEWS tonight at 8 p.m. for reporting instructions for Monday. Currently, we are urging faculty and staff to not report before 10 a.m. Monday morning.

Students are strongly encouraged to head home or stay with off campus friends who have power. If students do leave campus, we advise they check ahead to ensure roads are clear as roads in several states (NJ, NY, CT and MA) are extremely bad. Please get what you need from your rooms and lock your rooms when you do leave.

If you are not able to depart campus, you will be relocated. See the following list for relocation information, based on your current residence assignment:

• Drinker. Dravo, Richards, M&M, Taylor, Trembley, Hill house, Umoja, Sayre Park, Saucon Village, all fraternity and sorority residences and all off-campus residents without power – should report to Windish Hall, which is across the street from the Rauch Business Center.
  
• Upper Cents residents -- will go to the Lower Cents lounge areas.
  
• Campus Square, Warren Sq, Packer House and South Mountain College - will walk to Brodhead House.
  

If you are relocating, please only bring a backpack, pillow, and blanket, phone chargers, and/or snacks. Due to a high demand for limited power, please do not bring computers/laptops. For those that are located on main campus, Rathbone Dining hall will be open 4:30-8pm this evening; Monday for breakfast from7:30 am - 9:30 am; Monday for lunch from 10:30 am to 2 pm; and Monday night for dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm. For those relocating to Rauch Field House, food will be provided there. For those staying in Brodhead House, dining will be the same as Rathbone hours.

(12:30 P.M., Sunday, 10/30) Lehigh classes are canceled Monday, 10/31 due to the power outage. A determination on Tuesday classes will be made on Monday morning by 9 a.m.

Temperatures will drop in the majority of residence halls later today making conditions unsafe for students to stay. We are recommending that students find shelter with friends or family if they are able. If students do leave campus, we advise they check ahead to ensure roads are clear as roads in several states (NJ, NY, CT and MA) are extremely bad. Please get what you need from your rooms and lock your rooms if you do leave.

We will have more information by 2 p.m. today on alternate accommodations for students who are unable to leave.

(7:03 P.M., Saturday, 10/29) Power is still out in many buildings including street lights on campus.  Many trees are falling.  For your safety, do not venture outside unless absolutely necessary.

(5:52 P.M., Saturday, 10/29) Our local utility company is working to restore power to the campus and surrounding area. We do not know when power will return. Students without power can go to Rathbone, Grace Hall or Ulrich. Meals are being served at Rathbone until 8 p.m. Please be very careful if you leave your residence hall as roadways are extremely treacherous due to te weather. Please only call the Lehigh Police in an emergency. We are trying to keep those phone lines open for emergencies. We will update 758-NEWS with information as we have it.