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University makes preparations for Hurricane Rita
The University of Texas at Austin is committed to keeping students, faculty and staff informed of any changes to class or work schedules that may arise from this weather event. As with past severe weather situations, the university will use local radio and television stations, our group e-mail system, the university Web site and internal departmental communications to keep our campus community informed.
Updated 3 p.m. September 23, 2005
The university will be open on Friday, Sept. 23, but classes, non-essential services and programs will be shut down on Saturday, Sept. 24. Campus operations normally scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 25 will proceed as planned. The university will operate on its regular schedule on Monday, Sept. 26.
The university’s decision regarding closure is based on weather conditions in the immediate Austin area and advisories from state, local and federal officials. Our ultimate goal is to provide our students, faculty and staff with the information necessary to stay informed and be safe. While Austin is housing evacuees, the university and the immediate metro area is at very little risk of inclement weather today (Friday, Sept. 23) and/or tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 24) due to the hurricane’s projected path. All national advisories indicate that Hurricane Rita is drifting away from most of the Texas Gulf Coast region. The university recognizes that many Gulf Coast residents have sought shelter with family and friends in Austin, which may present unique hardships. As a result, colleges and departments have been urged to consider each individual’s unique situation during the state of emergency in Texas and address it with leniency. Faculty and staff are committed to aiding students and their parents during this crisis.
Several area schools closed so that the Red Cross can set up shelters for hurricane evacuees on their campuses. At this time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has advised the university that our campus will not be needed. However, we remain ready to assist if called.
Kevin Hegarty
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Chair, Hurricane Rita/Hurricane Katrina Committee
Updated 11:30 a.m. September 23, 2005
Message from President Larry R. Faulkner
Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff:
Members of the university community are concerned about the potential impact of Hurricane Rita in the Austin area. As Hurricane Rita approaches the Texas coast, Austin has again become a safe place for storm evacuees. Our location with respect to the storm allows us to offer shelter and security to those in need.
Weather forecasts predict the Austin area may experience heavy rains and strong winds on Saturday. The university will be open on Friday, Sept. 23, but classes, non-essential services and programs will be shut down on Saturday, Sept. 24. Campus operations normally scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 25 will proceed as planned. The university will operate on its regular schedule on Monday, Sept. 26.
As this weather situation progresses, The University of Texas at Austin is committed to keeping our students, faculty and staff informed. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our principal concern. This Web site has been created that provides regular updates on Rita, information about sheltering employees from other institutions, guidelines for preparedness and university leave policies for those providing assistance.
Updated 9 a.m. September 23, 2005
Parking Relocations for Hurricane Rita
from Parking and Transportation Services
Attention: All Members of the University Community
This message is for all UT faculty, staff and students with personal vehicles on the university campus. While the exact impact on Austin from Hurricane Rita remains to be seen, you should be prepared to protect your personal vehicles over the weekend. For vehicles located on the UT campus, be prepared to move them to covered parking areas to eliminate potential damage from falling or blowing debris. If covered parking is not already provided, you may begin moving all vehicles into the San Antonio (SAG), Twenty-Seventh Street (TSG) and Manor (MAG) Garages as early as 2 p.m. Friday afternoon, Sept. 23. As long as your vehicle is removed after the close of business on Friday and before 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, there will be no charge for parking. Please Note: Vehicles entering and exiting the garages on Friday are subject to normal daily charges.
If these locations fill up, we will make alternative locations available on campus. We will post signage and personnel will be available Friday via the intercom call boxes located at all garage entrances to help with the distribution of information. When moving personal vehicles to the garages, drivers need to pull a ticket and park in any available space except the roof or ramp leading to the roof. We will ask that these personal vehicles be removed no later than 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, or if the university were to close, the first day of official business. We will open the gates for these garages at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and they will remain open until 8 a.m. on the first regular business day. Vehicles may exit at no charge from these facilities as needed during this time. We will resume normal operations for garages at 8 a.m. on the first regular day of business after the passing of the storm. All vehicles remaining in the garage at that time will need to pay the daily fee in order to remain in the garage.
Please remain informed about changing weather patterns because your safety is important to all of us at UT.
To Staff Responsible for UT Vehicles:
This message is for all those responsible for UT vehicles. While the exact impact on Austin from Hurricane Rita remains to be seen, we should be prepared to protect our university fleet over the weekend. For vehicles located on the Main Campus or at PRC, please make preparations to move them to covered parking areas to eliminate potential damage from falling or blowing debris. If current covered parking is not adequate, you may begin moving vehicles, including carts, to the San Jacinto (SJG) and Speedway (SWG) garages as early as 2 p.m. Friday afternoon, Sept. 23.
If moving them to the garages, drivers will need to pull a ticket and park in any available space except the roof or ramp leading to the roof. We will ask that these vehicles be removed no later than 8 a.m. Monday, Sep. 26, or if the university were to close, the first day of official business. We will open the gates for these garages at 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and vehicles may exit from these facilities as needed after this time. When the gates are lowered, please present the parking ticket pulled when entering the garage to one of the central pay cashiers. They are located on Level 1 on the San Jacinto side of the SJG facility and Level 2 at 27th Street for SWG. The cashiers will be able to process the tickets to get the vehicles out at no charge.
Most of our vehicles are covered under the UT System Auto Liability Plan. This policy does not cover damages as a result of a storm, so it is important to seek available protection. For historical purposes, please have your vehicle contacts e-mail the number of UT vehicles and carts that will be moved into these garages to fleet@austin.utexas.edu.
All Physical Plant vehicle contacts should wait for specific instructions from Ken Limbrick.
Lastly, if you have a vehicle at the automotive shop, remember to include these vehicles in your plans to move them to protected areas.
Updated 4 p.m. September 22, 2005
Cancellations and Postponements (as of 3:10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23):
Severe Weather Preparation
If you live on campus:
Campus buildings are very strong and residential life staff members are trained to handle weather emergencies. An e-mail sent to all students living on campus instructs them to review the emergency information at the Division of Housing and Food Service Web site. This site addresses everything from “what to expect” to sheltering-in-place instructions.
- All parking garages will be open beginning Friday evening, Sept. 23. Students are encourage to park in the garages instead of open lots.
- Parking will be prohibited on San Jacinto, 24th Street and 21st Street near Waller Creek due to potential flooding.
- Students living in campus housing may host their immediate family members in their room on a temporary basis. Please see your resident adviser for more information.
- Food Service has emergency plans to serve food in cafeterias even in the event of power outages.
If you live off campus:
- Basic supplies to have during a severe weather situation include water, food, first aid, tools and supplies, clothing and bedding, and any special items such as medicine and baby formula.
- ATMs don’t work in a power outage. Visit the bank or an ATM before the weather becomes severe if you need additional cash.
- You should put your important documents (insurance papers, social security card, bank account number, etc.) in a plastic bag or waterproof container.
- Secure items outside of your home (for example, outdoor furniture).
- When the weather approaches, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
- Keep flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a light source.
- If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power surge when electricity is restored.
Before leaving your office:
- Back up important computer data to file servers or removable media. (Copy important documents stored in “Local Documents” or on your desktop to departmental file server.)
- Power down all electrical equipment (scanners, printers and fax machines) according to the manufacturers instructions or established procedures.
- Unplug all power strips and electrical equipment from electrical outlets that are mounted in walls and panels. Disconnect modems from telephone jacks. Disconnecting unpowered accessories from the personal computer is not necessary (for example, mouse and keyboard).
- All employees should remove from floor and cover their computer and monitor with a plastic bag. Power down equipment and unplug it before covering.
- Secure all classified material and lock all security containers.
- Diskettes, CDs, USB keys and other storage media which contain unique or valuable papers should be protected.
- Store all documents, loose paper, books and binders in cabinets or desk.
- Remove all personal valuables from your office or cubicle and take them with you when you leave.
- Close all doors and windows and turn off the lights.
- Leave information with your direct supervisor as to where you will be during and after the storm.
The National Hurricane Center is a good source of information regarding severe weather preparedness (for example, recommended supplies, family plans). Visit the National Hurricane Center Web site or the City of Austin’s Office of Emergency Management Web site for more information.
Leave Policies
As with Hurricane Katrina The University of Texas at Austin has authorization to provide paid emergency leave in cases where employees (faculty and staff) have been asked to provide emergency services. Up to 15 work days may be granted. Participation will only be approved where requested by recognized and established professional or charitable groups engaging in emergency or humanitarian relief.
This leave must be requested in writing by the employee, approved by the employee’s supervisor and dean/vice president or their delegate. Send memos with approvals and supporting documentation to include the name of the organization, the nature of relief activities and the duration requested, to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources (Mail Code J5600). Once approval is granted, instructions on documenting the time will be provided.
Other policies governing leave and employee time are related to first responders including http://www.utexas.edu/policies/hoppm/07.F.15.html and http://www.utexas.edu/policies/hoppm/07.F.03.html.
Finally, if you need to assist immediate family members with evacuation you should request the time from your supervisor. Depending on the circumstances, it may come under the provisions of emergency leave.
Updated September 21, 2005
The University of Texas at Austin needs to identify faculty and staff who are willing to provide temporary shelter for faculty and staff of sister institutions in the path of Hurricane Rita including, UTMB Galveston, M.D. Anderson and UT Health Science Center in Houston.
Those offering such assistance should be prepared to provide food, water and shelter until the crisis subsides. If you are interested in making this charitable offer, please return the information below to rhonda.weldon@austin.utexas.edu.
The University of Texas System will be matching our volunteers with families in need. For more information contact Cynthia Hammond at 512-322-3759.
Hurricane Rita Evacuee Housing Effort
- Employee Name:
- Address:
- Home Phone #:
- Office Phone #:
- Cell Phone #:
- How many people can you accommodate?
Adults__
Children__
- Are you willing to accommodate pets?
Dogs__
Cats__
Reptiles__
Other (explain) __
- Smoking allowed?
(Y/N) __
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