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Galveston Campus Tropical Shelter in Place Update, Sept. 14, 12 p.m.    

Updated September 14, 2021, 12:00 PM


By Texas A&M University at Galveston Division of Marketing & Communications

Galveston Campus Tropical Shelter in Place Update, Sept. 14, 12 p.m.
Tropical Shelter-in-Place Expires Immediately

The Galveston Campus has experienced minimal impacts from Hurricane Nicholas. Therefore, we are lifting the Tropical Shelter in Place and will resume normal on-campus activities on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Some areas of campus experienced power outages, parking lot flooding, minor wind-driven water egress and some damage from wind-blown debris overnight. The flash flood advisory was canceled around 9 a.m. Regional tropical storm warnings were canceled and power restored to campus around 10 a.m.

Weather and travel conditions should continue to improve throughout the day. Some power outages may continue to occur. Campus is open to all students, faculty and staff who can safely travel to and from campus, but we strongly encourage all in our campus community to monitor travel conditions in your area and make decisions in the best interest of personal safety.

As communicated this morning, classes remain canceled today due to widespread power outages. Students who experience difficulties completing their course assignments should communicate via their usual means to their faculty member.

Dining services will resume normal food service operations today at 5 p.m. All other on-campus services will resume normal operations Wednesday, Sept. 14.

An error in this morning’s communication implied that only staff should continue remote work. That is incorrect. All employees should continue to work remotely if able to do so today. Employees who experience difficulties completing their duties or work assignments should contact their department head or supervisor to determine available options. Emergency leave will be granted by your department or unit head to regular employees who do not work because an emergency has been declared. Power outages are impeding communications so be prepared to reach out as soon as able.

Students, faculty and staff should closely monitor Sea Aggie Alerts, campus email, campus social media (@aggiesbythesea) and the Galveston Campus mobile app for continued updates in the coming days. Stay alert, weather aware, and monitor travel conditions.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Road and travel conditions should be monitored via the Texas Department of Transportation at drivetexas.org or call toll free at 800-452-9292 prior to departure.

Questions may be sent to infoline@tamug.edu.

 


 

Galveston Campus Update: Tuesday, Sept. 14, 8:00 AM

Due to widespread power outages, classes are canceled for Tuesday, Sept. 14. Staff able to work remotely should continue to do so. Those who are experiencing power outages or other difficulties should contact their supervisor as soon as able. 

  • Power to campus may be restored around noon.
  • Generators are running on campus including OCSB. Faculty and students should check in only if safe to do so.
  • Chartwells is serving no-cook breakfast and lunch in Captain’s Landing only.
  • Road travel may still be hazardous. Check your local conditions before traveling.

Conditions throughout the region are expected to improve today. Additional details concerning campus operations will be communicated this afternoon.

We apologize for the late communication. Like some of you, we experienced connectivity challenges this morning.

Stay safe and weather aware.

 


 

Galveston Campus TS Nicholas Update: Monday, Sept. 13

Tropical Storm Nicholas is expected to move inland late this evening. Primary campus impacts continue to be localized flooding from storm tides and heavy rain that will limit access to and from Pelican Island intermittently. This evening and through the overnight hours, that rain may be accompanied by winds up to Tropical Storm Force (40 mph or greater). Some areas on Galveston Island are currently experiencing sporadic power outages unrelated to the storm.

Travel is strongly discouraged from now through tomorrow afternoon. Hazardous road conditions will begin to develop rapidly as TS Nicholas moves inland and will be reinforced as squalls come ashore and in areas experiencing flash flooding. Closely monitor travel conditions and local media outlets for current information prior to traveling to or from Pelican Island.

Details concerning campus operations on Wednesday, Sept. 15 will be communicated tomorrow afternoon through university communication channels. If conditions on campus warrant immediate action, you will receive a Sea Aggie Alert via text. Charge your cell phones now in case of a power outage.

A tropical shelter-in-place limits access to and from Pelican Island to essential personnel and student residents. Student residents are encouraged to remain on campus. Services on-campus will continue with modified times and service locations. Road conditions will change unexpectedly and rapidly. Intermittent flooding will occur and limit accessibility to Pelican Island for extended periods of time.

Students, faculty and staff should closely monitor Sea Aggie Alerts, campus email, campus social media (@aggiesbythesea) and the Galveston Campus mobile app for continued updates in the coming days. Decisions impacting campus operations, including facilities, classes, remote expectations, etc., will be communicated daily.

 

The information provided below should be used for planning purposes ONLY.

TROPICAL SHELTER-IN-PLACE TIMELINE

Tuesday, Sept. 14

  • Campus is closed except to essential personnel and student residents.
  • All instructional activities will be supported remotely. Staff, unless needed as essential on campus, should work remotely.
  • Students, faculty or staff who anticipate or experience difficulties with remote instruction or work activities should contact their respective faculty member, department head or supervisor to determine available options. Be aware that power outages may impede communication so be prepared to reach out as soon as able.
  • Students, faculty and staff with computing issues can continue to call the Information Technology helpdesk at 409-740-4714 or helpdesk@tamug.edu. Students if you have not used zoom before, detailed information is provided here: https://tamu.zoom.us/
  • All student events and activities are canceled.
  • The Bookstore, Copy Center and Mailroom are closed.
  • Dining services has updated locations and hours on their website: https://dineoncampus.com/tamug.
  • Campus recreation will maintain normal operations at all locations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety.
    The library is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.


Wednesday, Sept. 15

  • Campus operations will be reevaluated and communicated the day prior. Please monitor official communication channels for updated information.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We strive to make decisions in the interest of safety for our students, faculty and staff while also reducing disruption where possible. Therefore, decisions are reevaluated daily and may be adjusted based on current weather conditions. The Galveston Campus Tropical Weather Incident Command Team will continue monitoring developing conditions in consultation with university, regional and state emergency management personnel and provide daily communications updating you on the status of campus operations. All decisions pertaining to campus operations will be communicated the day prior to anticipated impacts.

However, all decisions are fluid and subject to rapid change. We encourage you to prioritize personal safety in your decision making. Stay alert, weather aware, and monitor travel conditions. Road and travel conditions should be monitored via the Texas Department of Transportation at drivetexas.org or call toll free at 800-452-9292 prior to departure.

Questions may be sent to infoline@tamug.edu.

 


 

Galveston Campus TS Nicholas Update: Sunday, Sept. 12

Tropical Storm Nicholas is forecast to impact the Texas Coast beginning Monday, Sept. 13. Therefore, in the interest of the safety of our students, faculty and staff, the Galveston Campus is issuing a tropical shelter-in-place for this weather event effective Monday, Sept. 13 through Tuesday, Sept. 14. The need to extend the tropical shelter-in-place beyond these two days will be evaluated and communicated on Tuesday.

All instructional activities and operations will be shift to an online format and take place remotely Monday, Sept. 13 through Tuesday, Sept. 14.

  • Faculty will be holding class online
  • Students should check their university email for Zoom links to class materials
  • Labs on Monday and Tuesday will be rescheduled
  • All student activities and events are canceled
  • Staff should be prepared to work remotely
  • Only essential personal should be on campus on Monday and Tuesday
  • On-campus services will remain open with modified locations
  • Additional instructions and details are in the timeline below


Primary anticipated impacts to the Galveston Campus on Monday, Sept. 13 are localized flooding from storm tides and heavy rain that will limit access to and from Pelican Island intermittently. On Tuesday, that rain may be accompanied by winds up to Tropical Storm Force (40 mph or greater). This system is expected to generate widespread and significant rainfall. Scattered power and communication outages are anticipated.

A tropical shelter-in-place limits access to and from Pelican Island to essential personnel and student residents. Services on-campus will continue with modified times and service locations. Road conditions will change unexpectedly and rapidly. Intermittent flooding will occur with this weather system and limit accessibility to Pelican Island for extended periods of time. Prior to traveling to or from Pelican Island, students faculty, and staff should monitor travel conditions and local media outlets for current information.

Students, faculty and staff should closely monitor Sea Aggie Alerts, campus email, campus social media (@aggiesbythesea) and the Galveston Campus mobile app for continued updates in the coming days. Decisions impacting campus operations, including facilities, classes, remote expectations, etc., will be communicated daily.

  

The information provided below should be used for planning purposes ONLY.

TROPICAL SHELTER-IN-PLACE TIMELINE

Sunday, Sept. 12

  • All students, faculty and staff leaving campus should gather all necessary supplies today to support remote instruction and operations through Tuesday, Sept. 14. Faculty should update their Canvas sites and make sure to have teaching materials. Faculty should send out zoom links via Canvas for on-line delivery of classes on Monday and Tuesday.
  • Students, faculty or staff who anticipate or experience difficulties with remote instruction or work activities for the established time period should contact their respective faculty member, department head or supervisor to determine available options. Be aware that power outages may impede communication so be prepared to reach out as soon as able.
  • Students, faculty and staff with computing issues can continue to call the Information Technology helpdesk at 409-740-4714 or helpdesk@tamug.edu. Students if you have not used zoom before, detailed information is provided here: https://tamu.zoom.us/
  • All student events and activities scheduled for Monday, Sept. 13 and Tuesday, Sept. 14 are canceled. Check your university email for additional information. 
  • Any students or personnel who remain on campus should remove their vehicle from the tennis court parking lot for the duration of this weather event due to expected flooding.
  • Students should remove or secure any items that are on balconies.
  • Only essential personnel and student residents should be on campus. Faculty and staff should check with their supervisor today to determine if they are considered essential personnel.
  • Dining services will be adjusting service locations but will continue normal operations at Captain’s Landing. Dining locations and hours of service may change through the course of this event due to the availability of staff. Monitor communications for details.
  • Campus recreation will maintain normal operations at all locations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety. In that event, recreation locations and hours of service may change due to the availability of staff.
    The library will maintain normal operations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety. In that event, library hours of service may change due to the availability of staff.

 

Monday, Sept. 13

  • Campus is closed except to essential personnel and student residents. 
  • All instructional activities will be supported remotely. Staff, unless needed as essential on campus, should work remotely.
  • Students, faculty or staff who anticipate or experience difficulties with remote instruction or work activities should contact their respective faculty member, department head or supervisor to determine available options. Be aware that power outages may impede communication so be prepared to reach out as soon as able.
  • All student events and activities are canceled.
  • Campus recreation will maintain normal operations at all locations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety. In that event, recreation locations and hours of service may change due to the availability of staff.
  • Dining services will maintain normal operations at all locations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety. In that event, dining locations and hours of service may change due to the availability of staff.
  • The library will maintain normal operations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety. In that event, library hours of service may change due to the availability of staff.

 

Tuesday, Sept. 14

  • Campus is closed except to essential personnel and student residents.
  • All instructional activities will be supported remotely. Staff, unless needed as essential on campus, should work remotely.
  • Students, faculty or staff who anticipate or experience difficulties with remote instruction or work activities should contact their respective faculty member, department head or supervisor to determine available options. Be aware that power outages may impede communication so be prepared to reach out as soon as able.
  • All student events and activities are canceled.
  • Campus recreation will maintain normal operations at all locations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety. In that event, recreation locations and hours of service may change due to the availability of staff.
  • Dining services will maintain normal operations at all locations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety. In that event, dining locations and hours of service may change due to the availability of staff.
  • The library will maintain normal operations unless weather conditions impact travel or safety. In that event, library hours of service may change due to the availability of staff.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 15

  • Campus operations will be reevaluated and communicated the day prior. Please monitor official communication channels for updated information.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We strive to make decisions in the interest of safety for our students, faculty and staff while also reducing disruption where possible. Therefore, decisions are reevaluated daily and may be adjusted based on current weather conditions. The Galveston Campus Tropical Weather Incident Command Team will continue monitoring developing conditions in consultation with university, regional and state emergency management personnel and provide daily communications updating you on the status of campus operations. All decisions pertaining to campus operations will be communicated the day prior to anticipated impacts.

However, all decisions are fluid and subject to rapid change. We encourage you to prioritize personal safety in your decision making. Stay alert, weather aware, and monitor travel conditions. Road and travel conditions should be monitored via the Texas Department of Transportation at drivetexas.org or call toll free at 800-452-9292 prior to departure.

Questions may be sent to infoline@tamug.edu.

 

 

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Media contact:

Rebecca Watts
Director of Marketing and Communications
(979) 229.0902
rwatts@tamug.edu




Texas A&M University at Galveston is the marine and maritime branch campus of Texas A&M University which educates nearly 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students in science, business, engineering, liberal arts and transportation. It is driving the development of the blue economy in the Gulf Coast Region and is a critical contributor to Texas A&M's rare land-, sea-, space-grant mission with nearly $10 million in research expenditures.

Texas A&M-Galveston is also home to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, one of six state maritime academies and the only one in the southern United States, which trains over 400 cadets annually for maritime service and employment around the world.

Texas A&M-Galveston is located in Galveston, Texas on the Gulf Coast where it is surrounded by industry, environment and programs essential to fulfilling its special-purpose mission. Aggies are known for their deep commitment to the success of each other and their strong desire to serve.