Campus to resume classes, regular business with power restored

October 10, 2019

11:50 a.m.— Due to PG&E's power shutoff, OPERS is operating on a limited basis.

• East Field House: Normal hours, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Fitness Center: Reduced hours, 8 a.m to 6 p.m. Enter at the East Field House entrance.
• Pool Hours: Normal hours
• West Field House Hours: Closed
  
• Thursday PE classes: Cancelled at all locations

11:30 a.m.— Santa Cruz County law enforcement agencies say county residents should expect to see an inordinate number of low-flying helicopters over the next few days, as PG&E crews are inspecting power lines and making repairs as necessary. Residents are asked noty to call 911 about the helicopters.

11:25 a.m.— Looking for a good collection of Public Safety Power Shutoff resources? Santa Cruz County Emergency Services has created a PSPS campaign with a host of links related to the Public Safety Power Shutoff. Text SCRUZSHUTOFF or SCRUZAPAGON to 898-211. No hashtag needed.

10:25 a.m.— A reminder that Emergency Services is offering charging stations across main campus so that campus residents and critical staff are able to charge their electronic devices. The sites are all ADA accessible.  

Jack Baskin Engineering Bldg	Perk's Coffee Cart  - Lounge Area 1st Floor - Center	7 days a week	6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Jack Baskin Engineering Bldg	Jack's Lounge 1st Floor - West	Mon-Fri	6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Earth & Marine Science Bldg	Perk area atrium	M-F	8 a.m.–5 p.m.
East Field House	Student Lounge	M-Th, F, Sat-Sun	6 a.m.-11 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Natural Science 2	3rd floor near 395A	M-F	8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Interdisciplinary Science Bldg	Lobby (206)	M-F	8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sinsheimer Labs	152, 252, 352, 452	M-F	8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Science Library		7 days a week	https://guides.library.ucsc.edu/libraryhours
Thimann Labs	101 Registrar's classroom	M-F	8 a.m.-5 p.m.

10:20 a.m.— During the outage, the campus will continue to operate three dining halls with continuous service during the hours of operation noted below. 

• Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
• Porter/Kresge Dining Hall (serving on compostables), 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Colleges 9 & 10 Dining Hall (serving on compostables), 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Oakes Cafe, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Terra Fresca Restaurant and Coffee Bar, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

10:15 a.m.— As a recap, classes are cancelled today as power remains out at our main campus. Additionally, campus business operations are significantly scaled back. Power is also out at our research facility at 2300 Delaware Ave. in Santa Cruz. The power is on at our Scotts Valley Center, Coastal Science Campus, and Silicon Valley Campus.

Campus Transit is operating as normal during daylight hours. This includes Bike Shuttle, Loops, Upper Campus and Disability Van Services (DVS).

6:50 a.m.—Power is back on at the Scotts Valley Center. 

5:30 a.m.—Classes are cancelled today as power remains out at our main campus, 2300 Delaware, and Scotts Valley Center. Additionally, campus business operations are significantly scaled back.

The Coastal Science Campus still has some power at the moment, though it could also go down.

Pacific Gas and Electric’s power shutdown remains a dynamic situation. Everyone in the campus community is encouraged to check ucsc.edu/status for regular updates.

Employees should check with their supervisors to determine if they need to work during the outage to provide critical services.

We understand that employees might be experiencing power outages at their homes as well. Managers should try to be flexible with employees. Employees should check with their manager or supervisor if they have specific questions or concerns about being able to make it to work due to their personal power circumstances. 

We will share more information when it becomes available. Please continue to check your email, 831-459-INFO, and ucsc.edu/status for updates. Urgent information will be sent via CruzAlert. 

The OES Public Safety Power Shutdown Utility Failure resource page has additional information about:

• Personal Preparedness Tips and Resources
• Disability Resources
• CruzAlert
• Campus Media and Communication System Impacts
• Buildings and Grounds Impacts
• Teaching and Working Business Continuity
• Suggested Media Resources

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October 9, 2019

11:24 p.m.—With power out at our main campus, 2300 Delaware, and Scotts Valley Center, classes are cancelled Thursday. Additionally, campus business operations are significantly scaled back.

Employees should check with their supervisors to determine if they need to work during the outage to provide critical services.

The Coastal Science Campus still has power at the moment, though it could go down soon.

Pacific Gas and Electric’s power shutdown remains a dynamic situation. Everyone in the campus community is encouraged to check ucsc.edu/status for regular updates.

During the outage, the campus will continue to operate three dining halls with continuous service during the hours of operation noted below. 

• Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
• Porter/Kresge Dining Hall (serving on compostables), 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Colleges 9 & 10 Dining Hall (serving on compostables), 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Oakes Cafe, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Terra Fresca Restaurant and Coffee Bar, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Transportation

During the outage, the following measures are being taken for Campus Transit and parking. Please be advised that this information is subject to change.

Transit:

• Campus Transit will operate as normal during daylight hours. This includes Bike Shuttle, Loops, Upper Campus and Disability Van Services (DVS).
• After sundown, Campus Transit will operate only DVS services, as necessary.
• Once power is restored, Campus Transit will be brought back to regular service as quickly as possible.
• At this time, METRO anticipates operating as normal.

Parking:

• The Parking Sales Office and Kiosk will not be open during the power outage.
• In the event that the power outage continues into Friday, Oct. 11, and classes continue to be cancelled, parking permit requirements will temporarily be lifted within East Remote Parking Lot (104) for those days only. All other parking restrictions will remain in place throughout campus.

Health Center

The Cowell Student Health Center will operate with normal hours, as it is receiving backup power. 

Science and Engineering Library

The Science and Engineering library is expected to operate with regular hours, as it is receiving backup power. 

Buildings with power

The campus has proactively switched a number of buildings on Science Hill to independent power provided by our cogeneration plant. 

Buildings that have power from the cogeneration plant are:

• Jack Baskin Engineering Bldg
• Communication Bldg
• Cowell Student Health Center
• Earth & Marine Science Bldg
• East Field House
• Cogen Plant
• Fire Station
• Natural Science 2
• Interdisciplinary Science Bldg
• Center for Adaptive Optics
• Sinsheimer Labs
• Science Library
• Thimann Labs

Charge up

Emergency Services is offering charging stations across the main campus so that campus residents and critical staff are able to charge their electronic devices. The sites are all ADA accessible. 

Jack Baskin Engineering Bldg	Perk's Coffee Cart  - Lounge Area 1st Floor - Center	7 days a week	6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Jack Baskin Engineering Bldg	Jack's Lounge 1st Floor - West	Mon-Fri	6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Earth & Marine Science Bldg	Perk area atrium	M-F	8 a.m.–5 p.m.
East Field House	Student Lounge	M-Th, F, Sat-Sun	6:00 am-11:00 pm, Monday-Thursday; 6 am to 10 pm on Friday; 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Natural Science 2	3rd floor near 395A	M-F	8am-5pm
Interdisciplinary Science Bldg	Lobby (206)	M-F	8am-5pm
Sinsheimer Labs	152, 252, 352, 452	M-F	8am-5pm
Science Library		7 days a week	https://guides.library.ucsc.edu/libraryhours
Thimann Labs	101 Registrar's classroom	M-F	8am-5pm

Off-campus students

Students living off-campus can still access campus services, including dining and health services. Anyone coming to campus in the evening should exercise caution because of low lighting. 

Stay flexible, stay informed

We understand that employees might be experiencing power outages at their homes as well. Managers should try to be flexible with employees. Employees should check with their manager or supervisor if they have specific questions or concerns about being able to make it to work due to their personal power circumstances. 

We will share more information when it becomes available. Please continue to check your email, 831-459-INFO, and ucsc.edu/status for updates. Urgent information will be sent via CruzAlert. 

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8:54 p.m.–The residential campus, Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and Scotts Valley Center currently have power from PG&E. Classes will resume on Thursday and all locations will be fully operational unless there is a power outage tonight or Thursday morning. Campus leaders continue to closely monitor the situation.

The campus community will be notified of any major developments by a CruzAlert. Updates will also be posted to ucsc.edu/status and 831-459-INFO.

The latest reports suggest power may still be cut in Santa Cruz County later tonight.

This situation remains very fluid and dynamic. Everyone is encouraged to check ucsc.edu/status for regular updates.

Employees should remain in regular contact with their managers to discuss the plan for their unit’s operations for the rest of today and for Thursday.

We understand that, regardless of the campus power situation, employees might be experiencing power outages at their homes. Managers should try to be flexible with employees. Employees should check with their manager or supervisor if they have specific questions or concerns about being able to make it to work due to their personal power circumstances.

8 p.m.—To prepare for potential power loss, please visit the OES Public Safety Power Shutdown Utility Failure resource page. 

• Personal Preparedness Tips and Resources
• Disability Resources
• CruzAlert
• Campus Media and Communication System Impacts
• Buildings and Grounds Impacts
• Teaching and Working Business Continuity
• Suggested Media Resources

7:50 p.m.—In the event of a power outage, the residential campus is offering charging stations across campus so that campus residents and critical staff are able to charge their electronic devices. The sites are all ADA accessible.

Charging stations

Jack Baskin Engineering Bldg

Perk’s Coffee Cart - Lounge Area, 1st Floor - Center
All week
6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Jack’s Lounge, 1st Floor - West
Monday-Friday
6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Earth & Marine Science Bldg

Perk area atrium
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

East Field House

Student Lounge
All week
6:00 a.m.–11 p.m. on Monday-Thursday; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Natural Science 2

3rd floor near 395A
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Interdisciplinary Science Bldg

Lobby (206)
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sinsheimer Labs

Rooms 152, 252, 352, 452
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Science Library

All week
Hours: https://guides.library.ucsc.edu/libraryhours

Thimann Labs

101 Registrar’s classroom
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

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3:44 p.m.—PG&E has indicated that parts of Santa Cruz County—including UC Santa Cruz—may lose power at 8 p.m. or later tonight.

If the campus continues to have power tomorrow, classes, academic activities, and regular campus business can continue as scheduled.

Campus leaders continue to closely monitor PG&E’s planned outage. The campus will provide major updates by CruzAlert, at ucsc.edu/status, and on 831–459-INFO.

The sites we expect may be impacted include the residential campus, Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and Scotts Valley Center. While power continues to be currently available at these sites, PG&E has indicated all these sites may lose power today. The latest reports suggest power may be cut in Santa Cruz County by 8 p.m. or later tonight.

This remains a very fluid and dynamic situation. Everyone is encouraged to check ucsc.edu/status for regular updates.

Employees should remain in regular contact with their managers to discuss the plan for their unit’s operations for the rest of today and for tomorrow.

We understand that, regardless of the campus power situation, employees might be experiencing power outages at their homes. Managers should try to be flexible with employees. Employees should check with their manager or supervisor if they have specific questions or concerns about being able to make it to work due to their personal power circumstances.

More information about some important campus services is below.

Dining

At 2 p.m. today all UC Santa Cruz Dining operations with the exception of those listed below closed in anticipation of PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutdown.

The operations that remain open:

• Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall, 6:30 a.m. with continuous service to 11 p.m.
• Porter/Kresge Dining Hall (will be serving on compostables), 6:30 a.m. with continuous service to 7 p.m.
• Colleges 9&10 Dining Hall (will be serving on compostables), 6:30 a.m. with continuous to service 11 p.m. Oakes Cafe is open regular hours 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Terra Fresca Restaurant and Coffee Bar open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Transportation

In the event that the campus experiences a power outage for an extended period of time in the coming days, the following measures will be taken in response as it relates to Campus Transit and parking. Please be advised that this information is subject to change.

Transit:

• Campus Transit will operate as normal during daylight hours. This includes Bike Shuttle, Loops, Upper Campus and Disability Van Services (DVS).
• After sundown, Campus Transit will operate only DVS services, as necessary.
• Once power is restored, Campus Transit will be brought back to regular service as quickly as possible.
• At this time, METRO anticipates operating as normal.

Parking:

• The Parking Sales Office and Kiosk will not be open during an extended power outage and if classes continue to be cancelled.
• In the event that there is a power outage that extends into Thursday, Oct. 10 and Friday, Oct. 11, and classes continue to be cancelled, parking permit requirements will temporarily be lifted within East Remote Parking Lot (104) for those days only. All other parking restrictions will remain in place throughout campus.

Health center

The Cowell Student Health Center will operate with normal hours, as it will continue to have power even if campus power is lost.

Buildings with independent power

The campus proactively switched a number of buildings on Science Hill to independent power provided by our cogeneration plant, anticipating possible power loss.

Buildings that have power from the cogeneration plant are:

• Jack Baskin Engineering Bldg
• Communication Bldg
• Cowell Student Health Center
• Earth & Marine Science Bldg
• East Field House
• Cogen Plant
• Fire Station
• Natural Science 2
• Interdisciplinary Science Bldg
• Center for Adaptive Optics
• Sinsheimer Labs
• Science Library
• Thimann Labs

Charge up

In the event power goes out, the residential campus will be offering charging stations so that students are able to charge their electronic devices. Locations will be shared soon.

Off-campus students

Students living off-campus can still access campus services, including dining and health services, and more. Without power, the dining halls will only accept meal plans, Slug meals, Flexi, and cash.

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2:08 p.m.—The residential campus, the Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and the Scotts Valley Center are all operating with power from PG&E. Campus leaders continue to closely monitor this fluid and dynamic situation. 

12:46 p.m.—The student health center will be open for care during its normal business hours during the shutdown.

12:02 p.m.—The Santa Cruz County Metropolitan Transit District, or Metro, has said it anticipates operating as normal throughout the shutdown. 

11:45 a.m. — At 2 p.m. today all UC Santa Cruz Dining operations with the exception of those listed below will be closed due the Public Safety Power Shutdown.

The operations that will remain open:

• Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall, 6:30 a.m. with continuous service to 11 p.m.

• Porter/Kresge Dining Hall (will be serving on compostables), 6:30 a.m. with continuous service to 7 p.m.

• Colleges 9&10 Dining Hall (will be serving on compostables), 6:30 a.m. with continuous to service 11 p.m. Oakes Cafe is open regular hours 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Terra Fresca Restaurant and Coffee Bar open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

11:23 a.m. — CRUZ ALERT

UC Santa Cruz may lose power today at noon or later as part of the planned power outage by PG&E. However, the situation is still fluid.

The sites that may be impacted by the outage include the residential campus, Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and Scotts Valley Center. Employees should check-in with their managers to discuss the plan for their unit’s operations for the rest of the day. 

This remains a very fluid and dynamic situation. Everyone is encouraged to check ucsc.edu/status for regular updates. If power goes out, the campus will send another message via CruzAlert with additional information, which will also be shared at ucsc.edu/status and at 831-459-INFO. 

The campus has proactively switched a number of buildings on Science Hill to independent power provided by our cogeneration plant, in the event that PG&E power is lost. Researchers and staff are strongly encouraged to take appropriate pre-emptive and cautionary measures to protect critical equipment at any site.

We understand that, regardless of the campus power situation, employees might be experiencing power outages at their homes. Managers should try to be flexible with employees. Employees should check with their manager or supervisor if they have specific questions or concerns about being able to make it to work due to their personal power circumstances. 

If power is cut off, UC Santa Cruz will be able to keep dining halls open at Rachel Carson/Oakes, Porter/Kresge, and Colleges Nine and Ten. In addition to these three dining halls, the University Center Coffee Bar and Terra Fresca restaurant will remain open.

All these locations will operate their regular schedules including late night service at College Nine and Ten, and Rachel Carson/Oakes.

We will share more information when it becomes available. Please continue to check your email, 831-459-INFO, and ucsc.edu/status for updates. Urgent information will be sent via CruzAlert. 

9:45 a.m. — All Dining operated facilities are open for regular service/hours. In addition to the Dining Halls, the University Center Coffee Bar and Terra Fresca restaurant are open. These locations will operate their regular schedules including late night service at 9/10 and Rachel Carson.

9:35 a.m. — Campus transit continues to operate as scheduled. If TAPS needs to make a change, it will post info on TAPS social media, and it will be updated on this site as well.

6:50 a.m. — Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has started its large-scale power shutdown to preemptively cut power to a large swath of Central and Northern California to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires during dry and extremely windy weather in the forecast for later this week.

As of this morning, UC Santa Cruz continues to have power at the main campus, Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and the Scotts Valley Center.

Based on the best information available late last night, campus leaders decided to cancel classes for today.

The campus has proactively switched a number of buildings on Science Hill to independent power provided by our cogeneration plant, in the event that PG&E power is lost. Researchers and staff should consider taking appropriate pre-emptive and cautionary measures to protect critical equipment at any site.

With the residential campus, Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and Scotts Valley Center continuing to operate with power, employees should show up for work and be in touch with their managers and supervisors. Additionally, student employees are expected to show up for work. If student employees have questions, they should also contact their manager or supervisor.

We understand that, regardless of the campus power situation, employees might be experiencing power outages at their homes. Managers should try to be flexible with employees. Employees should check with their manager or supervisor if they have specific questions or concerns about being able to make it to work due to their personal power circumstances.

Updates about campus service impacts will be shared throughout the day at ucsc.edu/status and 831-459-INFO.

The campus will provide more information as it becomes available. Another email update will be shared later today.

Information about preparedness can be found online.

October 8, 2019

11:51 p.m.—PG&E has notified UCSC that the campus will be included in the regional Public Safety Power Shutdown.

By 5 p.m. Wednesday, electric service to the UCSC main campus may be cut. The Coastal Science Campus, 2300 DE and the Scotts Valley Center locations will also likely lose power. The duration for this service reduction is not known. Classes for Wednesday, Oct. 9 are cancelled.

Additional information will be shared when available. Additional information about preparedness can be found online. 

The campus will be providing updates about what unfolds at ucsc.edu/status and on 831-459-INFO.