There is no immediate threat to campus from the Tea Fire, which is 40
percent contained and greatly diminished. An evacuation order for the
area around Westmont remains in effect tonight and could continue
another 24 to 48 hours. Only essential personnel are allowed on campus
with pre-arranged escort from fire officials. All entrances to the
campus are closed and manned by public safety officials, who are also
patrolling the campus. All buildings and residence hall rooms are locked
and secure. Electricity, water and natural gas on campus are not yet
fully restored. Work has begun in several areas: fencing off damaged
buildings, removing ash and smoke residue and smell from buildings
otherwise untouched by the fire, and general cleaning. Insurance
adjusters have toured the campus, and county building officials have
begun assessing the condition of all buildings.
When will classes resume?
November 15th, 2008
We are eager to make a decision about when to resume classes, but
factors outside of our control prevent us from doing so at this time. As
soon as the evacuation order is lifted, electricity, natural gas and
water have been restored to the entire campus, and the fire department
has given us permission to occupy all undamaged buildings, we will have
a better idea of when classes can begin. We are working with faculty, 15
of whom have lost their homes, to determine how best to complete the
semester and maintain the integrity of the academic program and course
syllabi. If we can resume classes on Wednesday, we want to do so, but we
also want to make a decision as quickly as possible because students and
their families are anxiously waiting for this information. We will make
this announcement no later than 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17.
Access to Student Rooms
November 15th, 2008
Students will be allowed into their rooms as soon as Westmont determines
it's safe to return to campus and enter the residence hall buildings.
The evacuation order must be lifted and all buildings be cleared of
smoke and deemed structurally safe for entry. If a student's room has
been affected by fire, Westmont will determine if and when it is safe
for a student or family members to attempt to retrieve personal
belongings from any material left behind by the blaze. As soon as we
know when students can have access to their rooms, we will post that
information on the Web site.
Plans and assistance for displaced students
November 15th, 2008
Westmont is working diligently to find permanent on-campus housing for
those students who were living in Clark Halls M and S and whose rooms
were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the fire. There are a few
rooms in Page where students will have to move out only for a short
period of time. Nothing inside the rooms in Page was destroyed.
The goal is to keep roommates and suitemates together. One of Westmont's
strengths is its residential campus, giving students the opportunity to
interact and live in community. We are committed to minimizing this
disruption and finding the best living solution for our students as
quickly as possible.
The Student Life office is also appointing an ombudsman for each damaged
room who will assist students and their families file claims, get
settled in their new rooms and provide whatever support students and
families need. The college will post more information about this program
as soon as it is available, and the ombudsmen will be in contact with
the affected students and their families.
Event Schedule Changes
November 15th, 2008
* Men's GSAC playoff game is at Azusa Pacific at 2 p.m. on Monday
* No classes until Wednesday at the earliest
* Don't return to campus until notified
* Registration for spring semester classes, which was scheduled for
Monday, Nov. 17, will be rescheduled no earlier than Nov. 24.
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