Weather safety procedures for residents

Residents,

During the spring semester, Oglethorpe and the greater Atlanta area see an increase in severe weather, power outages, and potentials for tornados and damaging winds. This message is to inform you of the policies, practices, and general information regarding severe weather in the residence halls, and on campus.

Please see each incident below for the proper steps in preparing for a severe weather incident. For more information, you can visit the campus safety website here: https://safety.oglethorpe.edu/emergency-preparedness/

In the event of severe weather on-campus, Residence Life will utilize the RAVE alert system to disseminate information and to give notice to the community about impending severe weather. To sign up for RAVE Alerts, please follow this link: https://www.getrave.com/login/oglethorpe

High Winds and Damaging Hail: 

High winds are categorized by sustained wind speeds greater than 40mph. During these events, it is likely that trees will be damaged, and roads or paths across campus could be impeded. If a high wind advisory is in place, or a severe thunderstorm warning is in effect, continue to stay weather aware. Stay indoors, and away from windows as much as possible. Avoid walking around campus, and use caution after the storm as downed trees, power lines, and limbs could impede roads and paths.

Tornados:

If a tornado warning is issued for Atlanta, or the Brookhaven area, seek shelter immediately. A RAVE alert will be sent to the campus community in the event of a tornado warning.

Things to remember: 

If you are outside, seek shelter in the closest building to you. If you are indoors, go to the lowest level of the building, away from windows. If you are in Jobe-Hansen, Bowden-Magbee, Dempsey, or any academic building please get to the first floor of the building, and go to an interior room away from doors or windows. If you are in Traer or any upper-quad building your safest locations are in the bathrooms of your buildings. Cover your head with a pillow, mattress, or with your hands.

If you must go to an area with a large number of people, please remember to wear a mask, as close proximity might be required for safety.

Please wait for an all-clear from a RAVE alert before leaving your building or room.

During a tornado, trees, power lines, and large branches can impede roads and paths. Please use caution when going outside in the immediate aftermath of a tornado.

Campus Power Outages:

In the event of a power outage, some campus facilities are equipped with emergency generators to power critical operations. Most buildings have emergency lighting to aid in the safe evacuation of the building.

To report a campus power outage, please contact Campus Safety at 404-504-1998. Campus Safety, along with our facilities management team, will work to identify the issue and work on a solution as quickly as possible. Information will be shared via email, text, or RAVE Alerts.

Please note, all card-activated doors will work during a power outage.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email, and to familiarize yourself with the policies, practices, and procedures related to severe weather on campus.

-Residence Life & Campus Safety

WEATHER NOTICE – Classes impacted 2/16/21

Good Evening,

With the temperatures dropping into the low 20’s in the morning combined with the wet roads, ALL classes will meet “remote” tomorrow, Tuesday, February 16th.   All “in-person” classes and labs will NOT be in-person tomorrow. Dining services will be operational for residents during the regular schedule.  Safety and Maintenance staff will be on campus as normal.  All campus operations will resume on Wednesday, February 17th.

Thanks and be careful.

Peter D. Stobie
Oglethorpe University
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President for Business & Finance
404-364-8322

 

Thursday January 18: Weather Alert

Oglethorpe University will resume all department services and all activities beginning at 1:00 pm Thursday, January 18. The first classes of the day will be those with 1:00 pm regular start times. Employees and students are urged to travel only if safe conditions exist along their particular routes to campus, and to use caution and allow additional travel time as appropriate. Commuter students will not be penalized if they feel that it is unsafe to travel. Please consult your faculty members if you have any questions.
Brunch opens at 10:30.

Wednesday, January 17: Weather Alert

UPDATE: All university classes and events are cancelled today and tonight due to weather conditions. Essential staff will remain on campus to provide usual services for residents.

6:30 am: Campus is open but faculty has been instructed to contact their classes if they are to be cancelled. Likewise, some students live close to campus and others do not. We want people being safe first.  Be in communication with your professors and check your email or MOOLE for a message.

Campus Dining with will be weekend hours (brunch dining).

Campus Update: September 12 1:00 PM

Evening classes will resume at 6:00 pm TONIGHT. If you are unable to make it to campus, please contact your professor to make alternate arrangements. 

Power is restored to the front of campus, but the TLCC and all residence halls (except for Traer and Greek Row) are without power.  Georgia Power is working on it but we have no timeline yet from them regarding repair.  Our facilities team is busy clearing paths and addressing issues from the storm.

The library’s 24-hour room is open and a good place for residential students to charge their Petrel Pass, devices, and study. The entire library will open for study today from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

For students without hot water who want to take showers, we will have limited locker rooms open at Schmidt/Dorough from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Meal service continues today with brunch going until 1:30 pm, limited items from 1:30-5:00 pm and dinner service from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm in the TLCC.

Classes resume at 6:00 pm tonight.  Dining services will resume normal schedule tomorrow morning at 7:30 am for opening.

For residential students who parked in a central lot, please remember to move your car back to your designated lots in the morning.

Thank you for everyone’s patience and for working together through this storm!

 

Classes & activities cancelled for Monday, September 11

Governor Deal has issued a state of emergency for all of Georgia and our campus is under a tropical storm warning. As weather conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout the day tomorrow, we are cancelling all classes and activities for Monday, September 11. Essential employees have already been notified and arrangements made to report. All other faculty and staff should remain safely at home.

For students choosing to remain on campus, please refer to our previous post for preparation instructions. Food will be served in the dining hall from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm.

Our emergency response team will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day tomorrow for a decision about Tuesday.