A message to campus community regarding storm

Dear Students, Staff and Faculty,

In anticipation of a powerful storm that is expected to hit our area this weekend, please be assured that Lehigh administrators are taking precautions and monitoring the potential impact on our campus and our region.

We encourage members of the Lehigh community to check the Lehigh website at www.lehigh.edu for updates or to register to receive LU-ALERTs, the text messaging system that we use to communicate quickly during emergencies. The link to register for LU-ALERTs is: www.lehigh.edu/lu-alert

Please note that Residential Services has informed students that all university residences will be open early (9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22nd) to allow students to return to campus in advance of the storm. Dining Services is also offering several on-campus dining options throughout the weekend. For complete information, please go to
http://www1.lehigh.edu/news/message-students-regarding-weekend-storm

We urge you to check on road conditions in advance of your trip, and to use extreme caution as you travel back to Lehigh.

At this point, we are still expecting to hold most of the activities and events that are planned for this weekend. There are no plans to alter the start of the spring semester, which begins on Monday. Any updates will be posted on the university’s website at www.lehigh.edu and communicated to you through an email message and LU-Alert.

For information and resources regarding emergency preparedness, please visit www.lehigh.edu/emergency. You can also find updated information at 610-758-NEWS (610-758-6397), on the university's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/lehighu and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/LehighU

For students on and off campus

Students are encouraged to consider the following precautions in advance of the storm:

•    Be sure to use caution and good judgment if you need to be outside during periods of heavy snow or high winds.
•    Ensure your cell phones are fully charged.
•    Prepare for a possible power outage by having flashlights and extra batteries. Keep in mind that you cannot use candles or open flames in campus buildings. For fire safety reasons, off-campus students should not use candles or open flames.
•    Ensure windows and doors remain closed during the storm. Students in residence halls should seek necessary assistance from Gryphons on your floor. Those students living in fraternity or sorority houses should seek assistance from the individuals in charge of your house.
•    In cases of extreme emergency--such as reporting a fire, crime or medical emergency--please call the Lehigh University Police Department at 610-758-4200.
•    For health emergencies, students can contact the LU Health and Wellness Center via their on-call service through the center's main number at 610-758-3870, or by dialing directly 610-740-3709. The University Counseling and Psychological Services main number is 610-758-3880 and the direct on-call service number is 610-740-3706.
•    Please share information and updates with your parents and encourage them to go to www.lehigh.edu for official updates and information from the university. They can also stay informed through Lehigh's dedicated Facebook page for parents and families. Anyone wishing to join that group should go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LehighUniversityFamilies/

For faculty and research personnel

In anticipation of a storm that could involve heavy snow, winds and power outages, now is the time to think about how to prepare your space in case of damage to your area or loss of access to your materials. Before you leave for the weekend, consider materials that need to be secured in case of roof leaks or water damage.

For researchers with laboratory or workshop facilities, consider how to prepare your laboratory for possible power loss of power and access over a course of days. For guidance or advice on preparing your lab, please refer to the laboratory shutdown and emergency planning guide at https://research.cc.lehigh.edu/lab-shutdown.

Laboratory safety concerns

To communicate safety concerns, please contact Environmental Health and Safety at (610) 758-6240 or (610) 758-4248.

For office personnel

•    Ensure the windows in your office are closed before leaving for the weekend.
•    Relocate electronics, paperwork and other critically important pieces of information to locations that are protected from potential leaks in your building.
•    Review your business continuity plan and emergency preparedness plan with your staff before leaving for the weekend.

Where to get updated information

In the event of a campus emergency, LU-Alert, 758-NEWS (610-758-6397), and www.lehigh.edu are your key sources of information. You can also stay current with messages on Lehigh's official Facebook and Twitter accounts.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation. Stay safe.

Office of the Provost