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College delays opening due to hurricane

Because of a strong possibility that a hurricane will hit the New London area, Connecticut College will delay its opening by several days. New student arrival day, previously scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27, will be delayed to Thursday, Sept. 1.

All returning students previously scheduled to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday, Aug. 30 or 31, should return to campus on Saturday or Sunday, Sept. 3 or 4. If it's not feasible for arriving students and their families to change their travel plans, the College will have limited staffing and very limited programming available. Any students who must arrive on campus on Saturday, Aug. 27, should go straight to the Office of Residential Education and Living in Warnshuis Health Center. All students currently on campus are asked to go home, if possible, by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Accommodations will be made for students who cannot go home. Students who are leaving campus - whether to go home or to stay with a relative or friend - must notify the Office of Student Life of their plans. All students currently on campus will receive an email from the Office of Residential Education and Living with further instructions and a form they must fill out indicating their plans. If students change their plans, they should keep the Office of Student Life informed at 860-439-2825 or e-mail studentlife@conncoll.edu.

The first day of classes is now scheduled for Monday, Sept. 5. The College's Centennial Convocation is now scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 6. We understand that this decision will have implications for all of our students and their families, however, our students' safety - and that of faculty and staff - is of paramount importance. We realize the weather could change at any time, making a delay seem unnecessary, but this decision is based on the information we have at this time, and was made only because so many of our students are scheduled to be traveling during the most severe weather.

All students, faculty and staff should review and make any necessary changes to their Connect-ED emergency contact information. The form is listed as "My Connect-ED Info" on the CamelWeb home page under Featured Sites and Documents. This delay will require some staff to work irregular hours; staff members should check with their supervisors for assignments.

Regular office hours resume on Monday, Aug. 29 - this will not change with the weather delay. Please remember to close your office windows and shades on Friday before you leave the campus, and check the emergency information hotline (860-439-5000) on Monday before leaving your home for work. During an emergency, the College will use a variety of communications methods to get information to students, faculty and staff. The redundancies help ensure that everyone has the most up-to-date information possible.

Please keep in mind that under certain circumstances, all methods of communication may not be operational. Look for information on email first, then turn to the College's website, Facebook, Twitter and emergency phone messaging system.

- EMERGENCY PHONE MESSAGES: 860-439-5000

- FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/connecticutcollege

- TWITTER: http://twitter.com/ConnCollege

The new schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Sept. 1 - Freshmen and transfers arrive on campus/orientation begins Friday, Sept. 2 - Academic advising begins Saturday/Sunday, Sept. 3/4 - Returning students arrive on campus Monday, Sept. 5 - Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 6 - Centennial Convocation

UPDATE: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 3:45 p.m.:
The new Orientation schedule has been posted here: www.conncoll.edu/offices/deanofstudies/8524.htm.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 9:30 a.m.:
The College is still experiencing telephone problems. Calls coming in from off-campus numbers are not getting through. The problem is related to widespread power outages in the region and is not affecting cell phone service. To reach offices or individuals on campus, please use email. The College's Athletic Center is still without power, and the pool and fitness center will be closed until power is restored.

UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 29, 4:30 p.m.:
The College is experiencing telephone problems related to the power outages off-campus. Phone calls coming in from off-campus numbers are not getting through. Phone calls made from within the College system, from one College extension to another, are working at this time. To reach someone on campus, please use email.

UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 29, 9:45 a.m.:
Campus crews are working to clear debris and fallen trees and limbs. There is still no power at the Athletic Center or on portions of Williams Street, however the main campus does have power. The College is open regular hours for staff.

UPDATE: Sunday, Aug. 28, 3:30 p.m.:
Tropical Storm Irene continues to move out of the New London area. Connecticut College has not sustained any structural damage and the majority of the campus has power. There is no power at the Athletic Center, and some portions of Williams Street are without power at this time. Connecticut College will continue to be open for regular hours on Monday, Aug. 29. Weather forecasts are predicting strong winds for the remainder of the day. Students who are on campus are encouraged to remain in the residence houses until conditions improve.

UPDATE: Sunday, Aug. 28, 9:30 a.m.:
Hurricane Irene has been downgraded to a tropical storm. New London is currently experiencing tropical storm conditions. Connecticut College has had no structural damage and no injuries, and the power remains on at this time. Students who are on campus are strongly encouraged to remain in the residence halls for the remainder of the storm.



August 25, 2011