Month: November 2011

11/1/11 11:56 AM

Dear Friends,

With the restoration of power to the core of the Wesleyan campus, the university will reopen and classes will resume on Wednesday, November 2.

We realize that a significant number of our students living in program houses and in the wood-frames are still without power. We are making alternative sleeping quarters available for these students. Those who want to bunk with friends in the residence halls are encouraged to do so. Those who would like the university to find them a place to sleep until power is restored (and those who want to offer to take in a student needing a warm room) should contact Residential Life at: 860 685-3550. We will use common spaces and lounges in our residence halls and will open other venues as needed.

By resuming classes we aim to return to the normal rhythms of our educational mission. The libraries will be open, and meals are being served in Usdan. We are hopeful that the Freeman Athletic Center will have power this afternoon. We are aware, of course, that this return to academic work may be challenging for students who are seeking alternative living arrangements through the aftermath of the storm. Those students who are not able to return to campus by tomorrow are encouraged to contact their professors to make appropriate arrangements to complete their assignments. We are asking faculty and students alike to be flexible.

Much of Connecticut is still without power, and many people, including students, faculty and staff, have been pitching in to help those in need. We want to encourage the Wesleyan community to work together to bring the campus back to full and happy functioning. As a community pulling together, we will make the most of this disrupted semester.

Thank you, as always, for your cooperation and support. We will send a further update at the end of the day today.

——-

Had lunch in Usdan after sending this.

Hot meals work wonders.

The following message was sent to the Wesleyan community this morning.

Dear Friends,

At 10:00 pm last night we were able to restore power to the central core of the Wesleyan campus, including most classrooms and the residence halls. However, the program houses, wood-frame houses, and the Freeman Athletic Center still have no power, and it is unclear when they will be brought back on line.  We are in regular communication with CL&P, and, as you would expect, are making a strong case that power be restored to these facilities as quickly as possible.

The Usdan University Center is up and running, and we will be serving a hot brunch from 10- 2. Regular dinner service will resume this evening.

This morning we are evaluating all our facilities and will communicate again before noon today about the resumption of classes. We are hopeful that things will be back on track for Homecoming/Family Weekend, and we will send a communication in that regard before tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.

I am very grateful for the hard work of our staff during this difficult period. Many have worked extraordinarily long hours to get us back on track, even as their own homes were without power. I also want to thank the Wesleyan students and their families for their patience, good cheer and messages of support.