BY KELLY LEWIS
In-person classes are canceled and the campus is closed from Wednesday, October 27 until Monday, November 1 due to power outages after a Nor’easter, causing heavy rainfall and high gusts of winds that swept through Massachusetts.
The campus closure surprisingly has nothing to do with COVID numbers or health concerns, but rather safety concerns.
Residential students were recommended to return home if able, according to an email sent out by Rev. John Denning, C.S.C. on Wednesday, October, 27 at 4:45 p.m.
“Given the ongoing power outage on campus as a result of a downed power line pole at our Rt. 138 entrance and without a clear timeline for power restoration, we have decided to continue to keep the campus closed for the remainder of the week out of concern for the safety and well-being of our community,” Denning said.
The testing center is closed for the remainder of the week and in-person classes are planned to resume on Monday, November 1.
Sometime before 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday the power went out and at 5:36 a.m students and faculty were notified via email and text through the Hill Alert emergency notification system that power was out on campus.
An hour later at 6:25 a.m., another Hill Alert was sent out.
“HILL ALERT: The campus is closed; no classes will be held today due to the power outage. A decision about evening classes (4 pm or later) will be made by 2 pm.”
Eventually, the evening classes were canceled, and by 4:45 p.m. all in-person classes from Thursday, October 28 to Friday, October 29 were canceled.
For students staying on campus, Denning said the College will do everything they can to accommodate those students.
The Office of Residence Life sent out an email to the community at 5:34 p.m. as a follow-up to President John Denning’s email.
According to the email, a limited menu will be available in both the Roche Dining Commons and the Holy Cross Center each day until the power is restored.
The Holy Cross Center has remained unaffected by the power outages, so all residents have been provided with temporary access to this building.
“The College will be sure to share future updates as new information becomes available. I am grateful for your patience as we manage the impact of this significant weather event,” Denning said.
Stay tuned for more updates to come and student reactions.
Photos by Abby Campbell
