January 28. 2019

Dear Loyola Community,

Although Loyolans are prepared for and regularly manage snow and inclement weather, the temperature in Chicago is predicted to fall to record and dangerous lows on Wednesday. Our priority is the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff while maintaining essential campus operations for the many students who live on or near our campuses. As we continue to monitor the forecast over the next 24 hours, we plan to notify the campus community of any potential class schedule changes or cancellations by 2 p.m. on Tuesday. These adjustments will be communicated through the University homepage, your LUC.edu e-mail, and other communication channels.

In the meantime, please keep in mind these cold weather tips:

• Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. It is best to avoid cotton; wool offers good protection from extreme cold and moisture. A final layer should be a wind-resistant coat or jacket.
• Limit your time outside and make sure to cover all exposed skin. Wear a hat, gloves (mittens are best), and a scarf, covering exposed skin (especially ears, nose, and chin). Two layers work best: mittens over gloves and a hood over a hat. With a wind chill of -18°F to -35°F, frostbite can occur in 10 to 30 minutes if skin is exposed.
• Stay dry. Wear waterproof and insulated boots, along with two pairs of socks—thin for the inside and thick, wool for the outside. But be sure you are able to move your toes, allowing your blood to circulate.
• Be active and keep moving. Stay fueled with balanced meals and warm beverages or broth. Avoid both alcoholic beverages and caffeine, which interfere with the normal physiological defense against cold and can actually increase heat loss.
• Additionally, help the University protect campus buildings during this cold snap by making sure windows are closed and thermostats are set to at least 65°F. When temperatures dip, cold air can interact with pipes, causing the hot water to expand and either freeze or burst the pipes. Even if your windows are open a crack, the small amount of cold air could cause damage. Please report any issues of insufficient heat to Facilities immediately.

Stay warm and safe, and thank you for your patience as we monitor the upcoming conditions.

Sincerely,

Margaret Faut Callahan, CRNA, PhD, FNAP, FAAN
Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Provost, Health Science Division

Thomas M. Kelly
Sr. Vice President for Administrative Services