Update: Tropical Storm Hilary
Note: This page serves as a repository for all campus-based information about Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary. Updates to this page will be made at the top with older (time stamped) posts below.
Update: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 21, 2023:
Good morning Chargers,
We hope you are all safe after a wild weekend of weather. As the storm passes, we want to again emphasize that we will begin our semester on Tuesday when campus operations will re-open. Classes will still meet on the day they are assigned — meaning that if you have a course that meets on Mondays only, your first meeting will be on Monday, August 28; if the class meets on Monday and Wednesday, your first class session will be on Wednesday, August 23. Today our virtual services and division offices are also open to serve you remotely. Please check our web directory to help you find the office you need.
We are aware that some of your professors have sent you notification of Monday Zoom courses being held to check-in with you, review your syllabi, and/or make sure you have your textbooks. Although these meetings are not mandatory, if you can attend, please do so. If you are unable to attend, let your professor know, if possible. No one will be dropped or penalized in any way for not being able to attend a Zoom meeting today.
We know that many of you are still dealing with the aftermath of power outages, flooding, your children’s schools closing and other post-storm emergencies, and we want to get you off to a positive start when classes and the campus re-opens Tuesday.
Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you very soon at Cypress College. If you have any questions, you may contact info@cypresscollege.edu.
We Take This Journey Together,
JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D.
President, Cypress College
Update: 8:36 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2023:
Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure all of our students and employees are safe, Cypress College’s campus will be closed on Monday, August 21, 2023 as a result of Tropical Storm Hilary. Cypress College’s fall semester will begin on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
All services to students will be available remotely. Students can reach offices such as admissions, counseling, financial aid, the library, and other services in this virtual capacity. To access these services please go to this link:
https://cypress.craniumcafe.com/login.
The decision to close the campus is based on current and projected conditions, including:
- Impacted travel across the greater Southern California area;
- Potential for storm damage such as downed trees and flooding;
- Potential for power outages;
- A weather warning from the Orange County Emergency Operations Center; and
- The need for students and employees to manage childcare, safety, and have timely information for decision making.
We encourage our students and employees to monitor our website, campus email, social media, and emergency text messaging systems.
Running updates will be posted to: https://www.cypresscollege.edu/2023/08/20/update-tropical-storm-hilary/.
We encourage everyone to stay safely at home until the storm passes and the damage is cleaned up. We look forward to welcoming you to the fall semester on Tuesday.
We take this journey together,
JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D.
President, Cypress College
Update: 9:49 a.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2023:
Cypress College continues to monitor Tropical Storm Hilary and is keeping in close contact with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for updates on this event. Currently, the storm is expected to bring “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” to Baja California and Southern California as well as other parts of the U.S. Southwest. The impacts are expected to last until Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency throughout much of Southern California.
We are continuing to assess whether the college will be open on Monday for the start of fall term and ask you to continue to check your email, texts, and campus communications for more direction. As you go about your day, however, we ask for you to do so with these safety measures in mind.
Here are the top 5 tips from the Governor’s advisory:
- Stay connected. Californians are reminded to dial 3-1-1 to get help or ask questions. If you have a critical emergency, call 911.
- Prepare for high winds and ocean surges.
- Travel safely. Avoid non-essential travel during the peak of the storm expected Sunday and Monday.
- Be ready in case of power outages.
- Listen to local authorities. Always follow the guidance of your local authorities, including evacuation orders, road closures and other official notices.
We wish for our entire Cypress College community to stay safe and respect the power of this storm.
We Take This Journey Together,
JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D.
President, Cypress College
Update: 4:36 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023:
Many of you have heard about the potential hurricane which is scheduled to bring heavy rain and possible gale force winds to Southern California Sunday or Monday. Staff at Cypress College are monitoring the storm and are taking measures to ensure your safety and the well-being of our campus community.
As of now, classes will begin for the fall semester on Monday, August 21, as planned, but we will be monitoring this storm and its progress throughout the weekend and ask you to check your emails, texts, Canvas notifications, social media, and other official campus communications throughout the weekend for updates. Our administrators, as well as our Maintenance and Operations staff, will be monitoring campus conditions throughout the weekend and if anything changes our regularly scheduled classes on Monday, you will be informed.
Every employee and student is automatically enrolled in our emergency texting system using the phone you provided upon enrollment or employment and we will use this to inform you of any action that might disrupt classes on Monday.
Your safety is paramount and we thank you for your patience while we manage the unpredictably of this storm.
Have a safe weekend and we look forward to welcoming you to another successful fall semester at Cypress College.
JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D.
President, Cypress College