I have been on the UC Santa Cruz campus for three decades, and I want to tell you that Tuesday was one of the days I will always remember, not just because of the storm that blew through our county, but because of how our campus community members stepped up once again to communicate and ensure everyone was safe.
Finals week can be a stressful time all on its own. When you add downpours, 80-mph winds, falling trees, and power outages into the mix, it can shake one’s sense of security and well-being. Please know that the safety of those in our campus community is our top priority. Throughout the day, staff and faculty were focused on keeping everyone informed and quickly taking care of situations that arose.
According to the forecast, we have made it through the worst of this storm but there is more rain predicted throughout the day today, and we know that many in our county, including some neighborhoods around the campus, remain without electricity. To ensure you have the latest information on campus conditions, please watch for SlugSafe messages and check the National Weather Service website for the most up-to-date weather conditions. If you need to travel, check for travel alerts and use caution when on the roadways.
I encourage students to continue to communicate with instructors regarding final exams and final course requirements, and I ask instructors to be flexible if students feel they cannot make it to campus safely. Staff members who are unable to get to campus should contact their managers as soon as possible.
I am so proud to be part of our outstanding Banana Slug community.
