Hurricane Florence Update (9/13 at 11 am)

Dear Wake Forest parents and families,

Your students received the following update about the status of Hurricane Florence and campus operations this morning. Given the forecast that we were looking at on Monday, this is a sizeable improvement. Still, we are remaining vigilant and are bracing for a lot of rain and some wind.

Our communication plans from here on out are that we will be releasing information somewhere around mid-day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the option of adding additional communications as needed.

I want to thank you, too, for your patience because our office is receiving so many emails that I cannot respond to them all personally. If you have a question that is urgent, please use “Urgent” in the subject line so I can locate those quickly.

Please continue to think good thoughts for those in Florence’s path. North Carolina is home to some spectacularly beautiful places along the coast (as are our neighboring states). Thinking of all those who are living in those areas.

Betsy Chapman (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications and Volunteer Management

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With the health, safety and wellbeing of the campus community as our highest priority, Wake Forest University continues to monitor the track of Hurricane Florence and its potential impact to the campus community.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service indicates 6-10 inches of rain and winds of 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area over the next several days. At this point, tropical storm force winds have been removed from the local forecast. While the reduction in projected winds is good news, emergency managers in the area continue to prepare for rain, winds, potential flooding and possible power outages.

The following information relates to campus services available to students when classes are canceled Friday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 16.

Dining Services

All dining services will operate on the weekend schedule Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please refer to www.deacondining.com for specific hours and updates.

Student Health Service

Student Health Service will operate on an urgent care model starting Friday, just as it does after business hours and on weekends. All appointments for Friday will be rescheduled but limited staff will be on site to take care of urgent needs. Saturday and Sunday operations will not change. In the event of any emergency, people are always instructed to call 911.

Z. Smith Reynolds Library

At this time, ZSR Library plans to maintain normal weekend hours.

Wake Forest Wellbeing Center

The Wake Forest Wellbeing Center (Reynolds Gym) will maintain normal operating hours. Some specific programs, such as Outdoor Pursuits and outdoor intramurals, have been canceled.

Benson University Center

Benson will maintain normal operating hours. A movie marathon will run in Pugh Auditorium during normal business hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Transportation

The Office of Transportation and Parking Services has adjusted the shuttle service schedule to prioritize the safety of drivers and passengers in the coming days.

• Gold/Black Lines – Regular service today. No service on Friday.
• Wake Downtown – Regular service today. No service on Friday, Saturdayand Sunday.
• Gray Line Night – Regular service until 11:00 p.m. today. No Friday or weekend service.
• Target/Hanes Mall – No weekend service.
• Gray Line Day – Regular service today. No service on Friday.
• BB&T University Center shuttle to first-year student vehicles (temporary parking location) – Regular service today. No service on Friday.

OnCall Service

• OnCall service will be available from Thursday at 6:00 p.m. through tonight and into Friday and Saturday, unless weather forecasts or conditions warrant service to end. To get a ride, download the Transloc Rider App at comor call 336.283.1091.

Student Parking

• First-year student vehicles should remain parked at the BB&T University Center off Reynolda Road through the weekend. More information will be forthcoming next week regarding the relocation of vehicles from this lot back to the UCC/Freshman Parking lot.
• Sophomore vehicles should remain parked at the sophomore parking lot through the weekend.

Additional Campus Resources

Many within the campus community have friends and loved ones who will suffer the worst of Hurricane Florence and its aftermath. The University is prepared to provide support in a number of ways:

• Resident advisers and graduate hall directors are available to assist students who need to speak with someone here.
• The University Counseling Center’s24/7 telephone crisis support is always available to students at 336-758-5273.
• Undergraduate students experiencing extraordinary academic circumstances should contact the Office of Academic Advising at undergraduateadvising@wfu.edu. Graduate and professional students should contact their respective Dean’s office.
• Students who need assistance but do not know who to call should contact University Police(336.758.5591 for non-emergencies, 336.758.5911 for emergencies).
• Faculty and staff may seek emotional support through the Employee Assistance Program.
• Parents are encouraged to contact the Office of Family Engagementat parents@wfu.edushould the University need to be aware of any extraordinary circumstances affecting their students. If the need is urgent, please indicate that in the subject line.

Wake Forest will continue to provide mid-day updates Friday, Saturday and Sunday about the Hurricane Florence, or as weather conditions necessitate.

All Hurricane Florence-related updates will be posted on the Wake Alert website (wakealert.wfu.edu). Please continue to monitor the Wake Alert website, follow @WakeAlert on Twitter and Facebook (facebook.com/WakeAlert), and add the Wake Forest Weather/Emergency line (336-758-5935) to phone contacts.

Wake Forest Communications and External Relations!