Since we last emailed you, Harvey has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane. The storm is now expected to make landfall tonight north of Corpus Christi, possibly over Rockport. Current models indicate that Harvey is most likely to stall just inland.

As we head into the weekend, undergraduate students are reminded that:
· On Saturday, Seibel and North serveries will be open for breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4:45 to 6:15 p.m.
· On Sunday, Siebel and North serveries will be open for brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. All four major serveries – Seibel, North Colleges, West and South – will be open for dinner from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Crisis Management Team continues to meet regularly, monitoring weather and road conditions carefully. We anticipate that we will make an announcement about the university's operating status for Sunday by tomorrow afternoon.

Kevin and I spent some time early this evening visiting the serveries and talking with some of our wonderful staff who are here to ensure the campus is safe, and people’s needs are being met. The undergraduates are in good spirits, and the magisters are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. We were so impressed with the positive attitude of our staff. From electricians to plumbers to IT specialists to housing and dining staffers, everyone just wants to make sure that the campus continues to function effectively.

So, even in the face of a Category 4 hurricane, there are so many good things happening at Rice.

If you have comments or questions, send an email to cmtcomment@rice.edu.

Kevin Kirby
Vice President for Administration
Chair of the Crisis Management Team

Provost Marie Lynn Miranda