Update on Hurricane Sandy from Dean Marilyn Jordan Taylor

Dear all,

By now you should have received notice from the University of Pennsylvania through the Melt Line and Text Alerts from Public Safety (below) that university operations have been suspended and classes have been cancelled for Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30. 

Open House is officially cancelled, following the University's lead. We are contacting each individual who accepted personally and will be here to greet anyone already on the way who did not get the message. We are also working to schedule an alternative date in November.

If you are in Philadelphia, the Demystifying Design event has begun. We're in conversation together, but with an eye on the weather so that you can return safely to your home or your accommodations before the late afternoon. There's a wonderful program planned, but we will adjust for the weather and the risks that may arise.

Updates concerning the storm will be posted on the Penn homepage (http://www.upenn.edu/) and the Public Safety web site (http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/).  Faculty, staff and students can also call 215-898-MELT (215-898-6358) to hear a recorded message with any updates regarding the hurricane.

Classes will resume with a normal schedule on Wednesday, October 31. Staff are expected to report back to work on Wednesday, October 31st when the University resumes normal operations. 

We recognize that travel is going to be very difficult over the next few days here on the amazing Atlantic Seaboard and urge you to take the necessary precautions. At PennDesign we are committed to the resilience and impact that design has on individuals and society, but we defer to hurricane-force winds and water.

Thank you and be safe.

With warm regards to you all,

Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Dean and Paley Professor           

School of Design 

University of Pennsylvania