IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING HURRICANE RITA

Although Hurricane Rita now appears to be taking a path that will have less impact on Central Texas than originally anticipated, University officials have decided to join many of our higher education counterparts and cancel classes scheduled for Friday, Sept. 23. Classes will be held Thursday night as scheduled, however all other university activities scheduled to take place after 5 p.m. Thursday and through the weekend are cancelled.

Leaving campus

It is up to students to decide whether they choose to leave campus or to remain on campus. However, students are encouraged not to leave campus unless they have a safe place to go. University officials are making all necessary preparations to provide a safe environment for students who choose to remain on campus.

Students who plan to leave campus MUST sign out with their R.A. so that they can be accounted for. Sign-out sheets will be posted on RA doors. Those planning to leave campus should be aware that some roads may be closed or converted to one-way. For information on road closures, see www.dot.state.tx.us or call 1-800-452-9292. Students who plan to leave campus should take valuables with them, close the blinds in their rooms, unplug any electrical devices and remove papers and other items from the floors.

Remaining on campus

For students who choose to remain on campus, the Robertson Center will be open for recreational use and the library will be open for studying. Food service will be available in McCombs Center on Friday, and throughout the weekend at locations to be announced.

If it appears that students would be at risk by remaining in their residence halls, they will be moved into these buildings in the following order:

• F.W. Olin
• Jones Theatre
• A. Frank Smith Jr. Library Center

A team of staff and administrators will stay on campus Friday and Saturday nights to oversee these facilities. A curfew may be established in the evenings.

Evacuees

Several families of students have already arrived on campus. We will continue to take immediate family members of students who need to evacuate their homes. Any family members arriving on campus should check in at the McCombs Center. Family members should bring essential items such as bedding. Pets must be in cages.  The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations is matching alumni evacuees with faculty, staff and alumni who have offered to host evacuees in their homes.  If you live in the Gulf Coast region and are seeking shelter, please contact us at 1-800-960-6363 or 512-863-1410. 

Reopening of classes

Students should check the Southwestern Web site (www.southwestern.edu) after 5 p.m. Sunday to verify whether classes will resume Monday. In the event that our Web site goes down, an emergency Web site will be available at emergency.southwestern.edu.