Emergency Information

Winter Weather Update for Feb. 1, 2021

Significant winter weather conditions are expected to arrive in the Providence area starting early tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 1. A winter storm warning is in effect from 7 a.m. tomorrow morning to 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The highest intensity snowfall is expected tomorrow afternoon, and visibility and travel conditions will be challenging.

Accordingly, classes scheduled to meet in-person prior to 12 noon on Monday, Feb. 1 may do so at the instructor’s discretion; all classes scheduled for noon and after will meet virtually. Other on-campus academic and administrative operations will be closed tomorrow, per the details below. Given the remote nature of most University work due to COVID-19, this closing is different than what we have done in prior years, so please read the following details carefully.

• Offices, departments, staff and faculty who are already working remotely should continue to do so as regularly planned and scheduled. Staff, faculty and students who are working on campus and are able to work remotely should do so on Monday, Feb. 1, and supervisors are instructed to approve remote work for the day. This includes work in laboratories and other academic operations that can be done remotely or deferred to the next business day. As noted above, in-person classes scheduled to meet before noon tomorrow morning may do so at the discretion of the instructor.

• Essential on-site personnel whose work cannot be conducted remotely – such as Facilities Management, Dining Services, Health Services, Public Safety, Center for Animal Resources and Education – will report to work as directed by their supervisors.

• The COVID-19 testing sites at the OMAC, One Davol Square and the Omni will open at their regularly scheduled times and will close at 2 p.m. Testing program participants who have an appointment scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m. or later will receive an email notification from [email protected] to reschedule, and will be able to do so for the soonest available day that works for you.

• Dining Services will provide services with normal operational hours at the Sharpe Refectory, Verney Woolley, Josiah’s and Andrews Commons. The Brown Faculty Club will be closed Monday and Tuesday.

• All members of the community are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel and to remain indoors during the height of the storm. Heavy snowfall, high winds, ice and snow on streets, sidewalks and paths, and a lack of visibility will pose serious risks — please stay safe and stay indoors.

• The City of Providence has issued a citywide parking ban that will go into effect at 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 1. The parking ban will remain in effect until further notice. Residents with overnight parking passes are advised that they cannot park on the street during the duration of the citywide parking ban. Community members who live on the East Side should note that trash and recycling pick-up scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1 will be made on Tuesday, Feb. 2, and all other City of Providence trash collection for the week of Feb. 1 will follow a one-day delayed schedule.

• Given the potential for heavy, wet snow, falling or downed branches and power lines are a particular concern. Do not approach or touch a downed power line under any circumstances, but report it immediately to Public Safety at 863-4111.

• Grounds and custodial staff will be clearing pedestrian paths, stairs and parking areas as soon as conditions allow. Depending on the total amount of accumulation, snow removal may take some time. Members of the community are encouraged to remain patient and exercise caution on paths, which will be covered with snow and ice.

• For information about other University services, please refer to department websites.

• Brown Public Safety and Emergency Medical Services are on patrol and available 24 hours a day. Report any emergencies at 863-4111. Reports of power outages or facilities concerns can be made to Service Response at 863-7800.

We will continue to update the community with additional information as necessary. If you have not already done so, make certain your emergency contact information (personal cell phone and home or off-campus housing phone numbers) is up to date so that we can contact you as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency. Instructions on how to do so for students, faculty and staff can be found here.

Sincerely,

Russell C. Carey
Executive Vice President, Planning and Policy

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Healthy Brown website includes details on Brown's actions to protect the health and safety of the University community during COVID-19 pandemic.

General Information

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