Tuesday classes to use remote instruction, stay informed on storm impacts

Dear Campus Community,

All classes on Tuesday, January 10, will be delivered using online or emergency remote instruction, and we continue to encourage our campus community to limit nonessential travel. We are monitoring the weather situation closely and will update the campus by 3 p.m. Tuesday about whether limited emergency remote instruction will continue into Wednesday. The weather conditions and the impacts are rapidly changing, and we are seeking to make the best decision for our campus based on the latest information.

For tonight and into mid-morning tomorrow, the National Weather Service is forecasting rain, heaviest in the early morning hours, and possible thunderstorms. After Monday’s heavy rains, this Tuesday storm is expected to once again create dangerous conditions and lead to challenges across the region due to flooding, downed trees, road closures, and power outages. Numerous roadways and highways throughout our area are already closed and are unlikely to reopen in the next 24 hours. Public Affairs will continue to provide updates on campus impacts at ucsc.edu. We will keep the campus community informed of any major impacts at UC Santa Cruz sites.

The Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL) and Online Education have information and resources about quickly transitioning from in-person to online or remote instruction, including Zoom as well as alternatives to Zoom. Open office hours with instructional support staff are available for drop-in from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Tuesday for any questions related to remote instruction. Instructors of classes scheduled to meet in person Tuesday should email their students and make suitable alternative arrangements for their first class, and students should look for updates from their instructors. While this last-minute switch to emergency remote is necessary, in-person instruction will resume once this event has passed and immediate safety concerns have been resolved.

Campus dining halls are scheduled to be open during regularly scheduled hours. Other student services may have modified service delivery; please contact those services directly for the availability of in-person access.

For employees who are impacted and unable to work, either due to evacuation, road closures or power loss, please inform your manager or department chair as soon as possible and let them know what support you need and the best way to reach you. We ask that managers and supervisors, many of whom may be impacted themselves, show as much flexibility as possible in accommodating employee needs. Work priorities should be examined in light of this emergency situation.

We are continuing to prioritize our community’s safety during this severe storm and will resume in-person instruction as soon as conditions permit. We appreciate your patience and flexibility.

Sincerely,
Cindy, Lori, and Patty

Cynthia Larive
Chancellor

Lori Kletzer
Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Patty Gallagher
Chair, Academic Senate