Hurricane, September 11, 2018

Hurricane Florence Update: September 10, 2018  (10:40 a.m.) Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Florence on the Richmond Metro area, Virginia Union University will cancel classes beginning at noon on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 (today).   We expect that campus will reopen on Sunday, September 16th and classes will resume on Monday, September 17th. Students who wish to evacuate should plan to leave campus before 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12th (tomorrow). University employees, not affected by the evacuation areas, should plan to work through Wednesday, September 12th at 5:00 p.m. Additional updates for faculty and staff will come from Human Resources. Governor Ralph Northam has declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered mandatory evacuations for low-lying portions of Hampton Roads. VUU will continue to monitor the path of Hurricane Florence and update you by emergency alert, social media, email, and the website.

Hurricane Florence Update: September 11, 2018 (6:00 p.m.) Virginia Union University has alerted students that, if they choose to leave, they should do so by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12th.  Governor Ralph Northam has declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered mandatory evacuations for low-lying portions of Hampton Roads. According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, it may not be safe for anyone to travel after Wednesday evening due to the storms predicted path. Essential faculty, staff, and administrators will remain on campus with students during the evacuation period. It is expected that all classes and offices will resume normal operations on Monday, September 17th. Students who reside on campus and chose to leave will need to make sure that they check-out with a member of Residence Life and Housing staff Click here to start the check-out form. We will need all trash removed from rooms, electrical devices unplugged, everything removed from the floors, and valuable items taken with you. If you are leaving a vehicle behind make sure it is parked in an official university paved lot. Students who remain on campus will be taken care of by the Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Residence Life and Housing staff, campus police, and other essential personnel as directed by each University Department. Residence Halls will remain open with appropriate supervision. Each hall has been supplied with emergency backpacks that include bottled water, flashlights, batteries, snacks, and emergency contact numbers. The Dining Hall will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day with continuous food service and “take home” options for after hours. The Dining Hall will resume regular operating hours on Sunday. Power Loss/Flooding: If there is loss of power or if flooding becomes an issue, students will be moved to areas with generator power support. This includes students with campus housing at The Birches and the Student Leadership house. Evacuation shelter and housing for students will be in the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center, L. Douglas Wilder Library, and Henderson Hall. The Dining Hall will also be open and available for students each day from 9:00 a.m. – 700 p.m. VUU Police and facilities personnel will be on campus throughout the storm to help in the event of an emergency situation. The facilities department is currently working to make sure all drains and window wells are clear to prevent ponding, and that issues of flooding are addressed immediately. VUU encourages all employees, students and their parents/loved ones to register with our emergency alert system so that they are informed about any updates sent out during the storm. If you are not signed up, you can do so by clicking on the following link: bit.ly/2BiBsNI.