ALERT - High Wind Warning for 12/15 Shelter in place begins at 4 p.m. tomorrow

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Campus will be closing to the public at 3 p.m. and students are to shelter in their residence halls starting at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 15 due to the potential of dangerous winds. The National Weather Service is predicting that wind gusts may exceed 60 miles an hour in our area beginning in the late afternoon through the overnight hours. Safety is our top priority, and we want to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are home and/or in their residence halls before the weather intensifies.

Building Access: Students need to be in their residence halls or off-campus residence by 4 p.m. Campus buildings will be accessible by P-card for emergency purposes only (i.e. someone being caught outside). Students who live in off-campus housing and wish to shelter in place from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday at the Bear Athletic Center, should contact Residence Life by 1 p.m. Wednesday at extension 3700.

Campus Safety: Campus safety will be suspending non-emergency escorts at 3 p.m.

Dining: Spencer Grille and the Dining Hall will close at 3:30 p.m. Dinner service will begin at 1:30 p.m. with to-go containers available throughout the afternoon until 3:30 p.m.

SHAW: Walk-in COVID-19 testing will be open from 12 - 1 p.m. The clinic will close at 2 p.m.

Workday Arrangements: Staff whose positions are pre-approved to work remotely are asked to do so tomorrow. Campus Safety and Facilities Management employees should work with their supervisors to modify their work schedules as needed.

Administrative offices will close at 3 p.m. Employees with children in school systems/childcare that are closing early may leave early to pick up their children. Please reference the inclement weather policy in the employee handbook or contact Human Resources with questions. Employees who are unable to travel home safely may contact Conference Operations to arrange housing on campus.

Final Exams/Academic Planning: An email will be coming from the Office of Dean this evening about academic provisions.

Important Reminders:

• Make sure your cell phone (U.S. numbers only) and personal email, if preferred, are up to date in Colleague Self-Service to ensure you receive emergency messages through InformaCast. This is how we will alert you and communicate any updates.

• Charge all your devices prior to tomorrow afternoon/evening in case of a power outage.

• Review tornado safety protocols for your office, home, or residence hall should a tornado warning be issued. In the event of a tornado, seek cover on the lowest level or in an interior room or hallway away from windows or doors. Remain there until the warning expires.

• Students: if the power goes out, please stay in place until further instructed. Residence halls will continue to have emergency lighting in place.

• Anyone scheduled for flights tomorrow or Thursday morning should monitor their flight status as these storms could impact air travel. Students planning to depart campus tomorrow afternoon should make alternate arrangements as necessary.

If you need immediate assistance, please contact Campus Safety, 641-269-4600.

Resources are available at the Need-To-Talk Line 641-269-4404 and Virtual Care Group 855-522-1226.

Thank you for your preparedness and care for yourselves and each other.

Heather Cox, Director of Emergency Management and Risk Mitigation; DPO
Anne F. Harris, President