Author: Mary Jo Stockton

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Update: Classes now canceled starting at 12:30 Thursday; Convocation moved up to 1:30

The overall storm forecast for Longwood and Virginia has improved substantially over the last day. However, it remains uncertain and constantly evolving. We’ve heard from the SGA and others how important it is to students and families both to participate in Convocation and also to have ample time, if they choose to leave campus, to get home safely.

Convocation is one of the main ceremonies of the year and cannot feasibly be rescheduled. But in light of student feedback and the constantly updating forecast, classes will now be canceled starting at 12:30 Thursday, and Convocation will be moved ahead to 1:30 p.m. Students should gather in Willett starting at 12:45, and faculty at 1 p.m.

Longwood remains well prepared for the storm. Students should make the best decision for their circumstances, but are welcome and encouraged to stay on campus through the weekend. An updated list of facilities hours and other information can be found in the FAQ on Hurricane Florence.

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Am I safe staying on campus?

Longwood staff is well prepared to deal with severe weather, and has been preparing for Hurricane Florence while closely monitoring its track. We are confident that campus is a safe place for students during the storm.

What if I need to leave campus before classes are canceled beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday?

First, students are encouraged to read their syllabi for their courses to understand their professor’s attendance policy for absences; many professors also have a policy for inclement weather. While the university is open, it is up to individual professors to determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused, according to the parameters set by the university attendance policy. If students feel they need to miss classes, then they must communicate with their professor about their absence as they would in other circumstances and ask the professor if they may make up any work missed. Many professors will also communicate with their classes about their plans, so please check Canvas and your email for potential updates from your instructors.

What happens if I lose power in my residence hall?

If you lose power, hall staff are trained to help. Emergency generators will provide power to life and safety systems in the building (fire alarms and sprinklers) and emergency exit lighting. Please be sure to keep your phones well charged and flashlights handy if the power does go out. If your building does lose power, facilities and power company crews will begin working to restore power.

If power is out on campus, will I be able to eat at the dining hall?

Yes, there will be food available at the dining hall, though it may operate on limited hours. Please check alerts.longwood.cloud for updated information and D-Hall hours.

If the power is out, how do I get into my residence hall?

If the power goes out, the key to your room will also work on the outside entrances to your residence hall.

Is there a place I can go to get up-to-date information?

All information we send out will be kept at alerts.longwood.cloud.

What are hours for on-campus facilities while classes are closed?

Amended hours for on-campus facilities are as follows:

Health & Fitness Center:
Thursday 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-10 p.m.

Dorrill Dining Hall:
Thursday closing at 8 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 4-7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 4-7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 4-8 p.m.

Student Union:
Thursday closing at 5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday closed; Sunday open at 5 p.m.

Greenwood Library:
Thursday 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-2 a.m.

University Health Center:
Thursday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday closed; Saturday closed; Sunday closed

CAPS:
Thursday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday closed; Saturday closed; Sunday closed

If I need to move my car, where can I park?

There is ample parking in the Wynne lots, behind the Health & Fitness Center near the athletic fields on main campus.

Will Family Weekend be rescheduled?

We will still hold the scheduled Casino Night event on Friday from 7-10 p.m. in Lankford, and host a magician Saturday at 8 p.m. in Jarman, but the rest of the Family Weekend events can’t be rescheduled. Parents are of course welcome every weekend, including a campus favorite Oktoberfest weekend coming up.

Who do I call if I have a problem?

Your first point of contact for non-emergencies is your Resident Assistant. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Here are some helpful numbers to keep handy:

Campus Police
(434) 395-2091

Farmville Emergency Communications Center
(434) 392-3332

Student Health & Wellness
(434) 395-2102

Technology Help Desk
(434) 395-4357 (HELP)

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Hurricane Florence’s projected landfall timing has slowed and remains several days away, and the forecast is evolving considerably. We’re in close contact with public officials and monitoring the latest timeline projections. However, we also know the Longwood community is eager to plan ahead. So we’re making the following announcements.

We plan to proceed normally until Thursday afternoon.

Classes will be canceled starting at 2 p.m. Thursday through the weekend.

Based on the current forecast timeline, we plan to go ahead with Convocation, but move the event ahead one hour. It will now begin at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Family weekend will be canceled.

On Friday, the university will ask employees to report on an essential personnel basis.

Longwood’s maintenance staff, police, residence hall staff and food services are preparing thoroughly for the storm. Even when class is canceled, Longwood’s campus, including residence halls, dining halls and the library, expects to remain open and functional for students, and many campus activities will continue.

We will continue to communicate over the coming days as we learn more about the forecast and road conditions around Virginia. All students should make the best decision for their own circumstances. However, we encourage students to consider that staying at Longwood may be their best option.

Watch these channels and alerts.longwood.cloud for further updates.

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Over the weekend, there were about seven reported cases of norovirus-like illness on campus. According to the Virginia Department of Health, this is well within the expected and usual range for this region of Virginia at this time of year. Cleaning staff are continuing to respond to reports with stepped-up efforts.

Please continue to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands thoroughly and often, and using hand sanitizer. There are other viruses circulating around the region, as is common this time of year. Longwood officials continue to monitor the situation, and will communicate updates as necessary.

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Norovirus remains on  campus, though reports of possible new cases have decreased. As of 11 a.m. today we had reports of five new cases of norovirus-like illness over the past 24 hours—a slower rate than the past few days.

Please continue to be vigilant and practice good hygiene to protect yourself even if you are traveling off campus over the weekend. Longwood staff is continuing with stepped-up cleaning efforts across campus and tracking all reports of possible cases.

If you require cleanup over the weekend, please call campus dispatch at 395-2091.

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Norovirus continues to be present on campus though at the moment its transmission appears to be fairly stable. As of 11 a.m. today we had reports of about 16 new cases of norovirus-like illness over the past 24 hours – about the same rate as the past few days. As the symptoms tend to last 24-48 hours, students are also getting well, so the overall prevalence on campus is fairly stable at the moment.

“Cases of norovirus are very common for this area this time of year,” said David Martin, an official with the Piedmont District of the Virginia Department of Health. “We have seen cases across the region, and the numbers we have tracked at Longwood are not unusual. The best thing to do to protect yourself from the virus is continue washing hands often and practice good hygiene. The Virginia Department of Health and Longwood are working closely together to coordinate response and information.”

If you have symptoms of norovirus, please do not attend classes or report for work. If you are student, as always, work with faculty members to coordinate making up work. There is no reason for well students to stay home. Those who believe they have had norovirus should stay home for two full days after their symptoms disappear.

Longwood staff is continuing with stepped-up cleaning efforts across campus.

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Have there been many cases on Longwood’s campus?

As of Tuesday morning, there are a total of just five confirmed cases of norovirus on Longwood’s campus since last week, but we are remaining vigilant. Part of that is collecting the most information we can, which is why we are gathering reports from Resident Assistants, faculty and staff, Centra Southside Hospital, and reports received in Facilities and campus dispatch.

What about cases you can’t confirm?

We have received other reports of students and staff who are sick, as is common this time of year, but we don’t know for certain if they are norovirus–however we are taking every report seriously. There are fewer than ten of these cases.

What is the university doing to protect students and staff?

Since last week, when the virus hit nearby Hampden-Sydney College, we have ramped up cleaning efforts, focusing on common, high-usage areas and using stronger chemicals. Cleaning crews are on call and prepared to disinfect any area that may be affected. In addition, clorox wipes have been available at the front desks of all residence halls since Friday, Jan. 30.

How is the university coordinating its response?

The university is certainly taking the situation seriously and has taken several steps to prevent the spread of the virus on campus. A group of officials has been meeting daily to monitor both the number of incidents and our response. Our first goal is ensuring and maintaining the safety of the campus community.

What should students or staff do if they have symptoms?

Contact your RA and let them know you are sick, so that cleaning crews can respond. Try to rest and push fluids to prevent dehydration. If you are significantly dehydrated, seek medical attention.

What should students or staff do who don’t have symptoms?

The most important piece in stopping the spread of this virus is personal prevention: washing your hands vigorously and often is paramount. However, if you know of someone who is sick, please contact your RA or call the student health center.