UC Santa Cruz classes canceled for Thursday as power shutoffs begin

UPDATE 10/9/19 11:41 P.M.:

The University of California Santa Cruz announced late Wednesday night that classes for Thursday have been canceled due to PG&E’s power shutdowns. Power is currently out at the main campus, Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and the Scotts Valley Center.

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Classes at UC Santa Cruz have been canceled for the day.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has started its large-scale power shutdown to preemptively cut power to a large swath of Central and Northern California to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires during dry and extremely windy weather in the forecast for later this week.

As of this morning, UC Santa Cruz continues to have power at the main campus, Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and the Scotts Valley Center.

Based on the best information available late last night, campus leaders decided to cancel classes for today.

The campus has switched a number of buildings on Science Hill to independent power provided by their cogeneration plant, in the event that PG&E power is lost. Researchers and staff should consider taking appropriate pre-emptive and cautionary measures to protect critical equipment at any site.

With the residential campus, Coastal Science Campus, 2300 Delaware, and Scotts Valley Center continuing to operate with power, employees should show up for work and be in touch with their managers and supervisors. Additionally, student employees are expected to show up for work. If student employees have questions, they should also contact their manager or supervisor.

Campus officials say they understand that regardless of the campus power situation, employees might be experiencing power outages at their homes. Managers should try to be flexible with employees. Employees should check with their manager or supervisor if they have specific questions or concerns about being able to make it to work due to their personal power circumstances.

Updates about campus service impacts will be shared throughout the day at ucsc.edu/status and 831-459-INFO.

The campus will provide more information as it becomes available. Another email update will be shared later today.

KION 2019