President gives update on hurricane damage and thanks staff and students

Wednesday, October 31 - Office of the President

Dear Campus Community,

As the Eastern U.S. begins its cleanup following the impact of Hurricane Sandy I would like to express my concern to all students, faculty and staff who have family and friends in the states most impacted by this storm. It is my hope for a speedy recovery for the Washington, D.C., area as well as for our neighbors, particularly to the north where the storm made landfall.

Here at Gallaudet, members of our Crisis Leadership Team were present on campus and in communication throughout the storm. We did not lose power or experience any major damage, although we did experience some flooding. The university's facilities staff has been conducting thorough assessments of all residence halls, academic buildings, etc., to identify and assess any structural impacts or flooding issues. So far, all incidences that have been found are minor and we are working as quickly as possible to repair any damage resulting from the storm. I am aware that heating in some of the residence halls has been an issue. The facilities staff is working diligently to provide heating to all residence halls as soon as possible and I appreciate their hard work and efforts in the days following the storm.

I want to express my deep appreciation to our Residence Life staff at both the university and at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and the Department of Public Safety staff on duty, for working throughout the storm to ensure the safety and comfort of residential students. I would also like to thank our students directly and commend you for your cooperation and flexibility throughout the weekend and early part of this week so that essential staff could focus on storm-related issues.

Warmly,
Alan

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Tuesday, October 30 - Department of Public Safety

Gallaudet University, Model Secondary School, and Kendall Demonstration Elementary School will open on schedule Wednesday,  October 31, 2012.

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Monday, October 29 - Department of Public Safety

Because of continued high winds with heavy rains  and flooding, Gallaudet University will close Tuesday, October 30, 2012.

Gallaudet's Crisis Leadership Team will continue to monitor the track of the storm Tuesday and announce Tuesday evening any decision regarding the status of campus on Wednesday.

Students staying on campus should use caution during the storm and pay attention to any posted warnings or direction from Residence Life staff and Department of Public Safety officers.

Students living off-campus and faculty and staff are urged to be prepared as well.

KDES and MSSD will be closed for teachers and students Tuesday, October 30. MSSD students will have activities planned and run by residential staff already on campus for the duration of the storm.  At this time, we anticipate no interruption to cafeteria services.

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October 29, 2012

Dear Parents and Families:

Please know that during Hurricane Sandy we are doing everything possible to ensure that your student is safe. Dean of Student Affairs and Academic Support A. Dwight Benedict, serves as chair of our Crisis Leadership Team, and is working very closely with our students, along with the Office of Residence Life and Housing, the Department of Public Safety, and the Facilities Department. Dean Benedict can be reached via email at Student.Affairs@gallaudet.edu, and Susan Hanraham, Director of Residence Life and Housing, can be reached via email at Susan.Hanrahan@gallaudet.edu.

There are two systems - Gallaudet Alert and Alert DC - which provide electronic emergency alerts regarding university closures, health-related issues, major crisis, and emergencies at the university and in Washington, D.C. Information about subscribing to these alert systems is available at:

http://www.gallaudet.edu/DPS/Electronic_Emergency_and_Incident_Alert_Systems.html

You can monitor Gallaudet's website for latest updates on the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the campus itself at: http://www.gallaudet.edu/News/Hurricane_Sandy_2012.html

You can follow the Gallaudet University Department of Public Safety on Facebook and Twitter (@GallaudetDPS).

If you live in an area that is impacted by the storm, we ask that you, too, be safe. For local Washington, D.C., weather updates you can check www.WTOP.com for the latest weather news. Information about hurricane preparedness is available at http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

For your information, the email message after this letter was sent to all Gallaudet University students.

Warmly,

T. Alan Hurwitz
President

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October 28, 2012

Dear Students:

As you know, the University will be closed on Monday, October 29, and a decision will be made on Monday evening about opening on Tuesday, October 30. I have encouraged your professors to communicate with you, using email or Blackboard, to let you know how this impacts you and your classes. This is a shared responsibility: Please communicate with your professors as well. (Allow for the possibility that some of your professors may not have electrical power and/or Internet service once the storm hits.)

As stated in the campus alert earlier this afternoon, "students staying on campus should use caution during the storm and pay attention to any posted warnings or direction from Residence Life staff and Department of Public Safety officers." "Students living off-campus ... are urged to be prepared as well."

Dean Benedict, the Office of Residence Life and Housing, the Department of Public Safety, and the Facilities Department are all monitoring the storm closely. You should do so as well. If you have not already subscribed to the Gallaudet electronic emergency and incident alert systems, please do so now. Instructions are at http://www.gallaudet.edu/DPS/Electronic_Emergency_and_Incident_Alert_Systems.html. You can also follow the Gallaudet University Department of Public Safety on Facebook and Twitter (@GallaudetDPS).

I ask that you show your appreciation to the staff members who will report to work as usual to provide essential services and to ensure your safety and comfort.

Above all, be safe.

Sincerely,

Stephen F. Weiner
Provost

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October 28, 2012, Department of Public Safety

Because of high winds and heavy rains expected this evening and the probability of worsening conditions tomorrow Gallaudet University will close Monday, October 29, 2012.

Gallaudet's Crisis Leadership Team will continue to monitor the track of the storm Monday and announce Monday evening any decision regarding the status of campus on Tuesday.

Students staying on campus should use caution during the storm and pay attention to any posted warnings or direction from Residence Life staff and Department of Public Safety officers.

Students living off-campus and faculty and staff are urged to be prepared as well.

KDES and MSSD will be closed for teachers and students Monday, October 29 and Tuesday October 30. MSSD students will have activities planned and run by residential staff already on campus for the duration of the storm. At this time, we anticipate no interruption to cafeteria services.

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October 26, 2012, Department of Public Safety

Dear Campus Community,

Weather forecasters are predicting that a major hurricane, Hurricane Sandy, is heading towards the mid-Atlantic area and will likely have a serious impact on our area. As always, the safety of the campus community is our top priority. The Crisis Leadership Team is monitoring the path of this storm closely and is keeping in touch with local emergency management. The campus is taking preliminary steps to prepare for the storm.

It is likely that the metropolitan area will experience high winds and heavy rains that may begin as early as Sunday evening and last into Tuesday. Power outages, downed trees and limbs, and some street flooding are possible and likely.

Please stay tuned for updates which will be posted on the Gallaudet website and sent out via the campus alert systems as necessary.

Students staying on campus should use caution during the storm and pay attention to any posted warnings or direction from Residence Life staff and Department of Public Safety officers.

Students living off-campus and faculty and staff are urged to be prepared as well.

Here are some suggestions of emergency supplies to have on hand and other preparation tips:

• Flashlight
• Telecommunications devices that allow you to receive messages and make sure the devices are charged
• Food that can be prepared without electricity
• First aid supplies and medications
• Adequate supplies for infants and pets
• Contact information for family members, friends, doctors, and emergency numbers
• Fill your gas tank.
• Secure outside items that may blow around in high winds
  (flags, lawn furniture, trash cans, etc.)
• Check your gutters and downspouts to make sure they are clear of debris
• Keep an eye on street drains and help keep them clear to prevent flooding
• Report power outages; don't assume that the power companies are aware of the outage
• More tips and suggestions (PDF)

The key to being prepared is to be informed. Monitor local communications channels, such as WTOP weather, for updates and changing conditions. The Vice President for Administration and Finance Paul Kelly will be sending his annual Inclement Weather Policy message out shortly with information about policies on weather-related closings and how to sign up for the Gallaudet Alert listserv.

It is not expected that this weather system will have much impact on Homecoming activities this weekend but everyone is urged to stay informed about changing weather conditions and to make appropriate preparations as we look forward to the upcoming week.

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Inclement Weather Policy memo (PDF), sent October 26, 2012