San Marcos,
14
May
2014
|
14:31 PM
America/Los_Angeles

CSUSM Wildfire Updates, Campus will Reopen May 20

Summary

On Wednesday, May 14, CSUSM evacuated the campus as wildfires broke out in the hills south of the University. The Cocos Fire, which burned nearly 2,000 acres and destroyed 40 structures, led to a five-day campus closure, cancellation of final exams and postponement of CSUSM's Commencement Ceremonies.

Below are the announcements issued by CSUSM's Emergency Operation Center.

Update: 3:12 PM, May 18, 2014

Campus Update: CSUSM will reopen Tuesday, May 20

Cal State San Marcos including CSUSM at Temecula will reopen on Tuesday, May 20. All city roads have been opened and neighborhood evacuations lifted. While the fires came very close to campus the only physical damage noted to date is secondary. Buildings have been inspected and air quality assessed.

All employees should plan to report to work at their regularly scheduled time on Tuesday, May 20. As we focus our energies toward the rescheduled commencement ceremonies for Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, all non-essential meetings and events should be postponed until after May 26.

We are very appreciative of the first responders who worked to keep our campus safe. Special thanks goes to our campus Emergency Response Team, University Police, Facilities, Communications and Student Affairs staff members who worked long hours over the last several days to ensure campus safety, provide important updates and ensure the needs of our students were met.

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Update: 4:22 PM, May 17, 2014

Campus Housing Update:

Any students who have not checked out of campus housing will be able to check out when the University reopens. CSUSM anticipates reopening on Tuesday, May 20, but will confirm the reopen date tomorrow afternoon (Sunday, May 18). Checkout will be held during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and students are asked to complete the move-out process by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 22.

Students needing to make special arrangements can email mgrsanmarcos@edrtrust.com.

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Update: 3:16 PM, May 17, 2014

CSUSM will remain closed through Monday, May 19. We anticipate re-opening on Tuesday, May 20 to the entire campus community, depending upon the completion of systematic cleaning of the buildings and road closures in the vicinity. Tomorrow afternoon (Sunday, May 18) we will confirm the status of reopening on Tuesday. Please continue to check back for details.

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Update: 6:36 PM, May 16, 2014

Due to the wildfires and evacuations, the CSUSM Bookstore has extended the textbook rental check-in due date until Friday, May 30. In addition, the CSUSM Store will continue to have caps and gowns available to purchase during the week leading up to Commencement, as well as on the days of May 24 and May 25.

Note: If you purchased regalia and are not able to participate in the ceremonies, the CSUSM Store will accept returns until Thursday, May 22. For additional Bookstore questions, please email the Bookstore at csusm@bkstr.com; we will respond to inquiries as soon as staff are allowed back to campus.

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Update: 4:50 PM, May 16, 2014

Residential students will be allowed on campus for another opportunity to pack and move out at University Village Apartments and The QUAD on Saturday, May 17, 2014 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Students will not have access to campus before 12 p.m. and will not be able to stay past 7 p.m.

We will also have dates and times available for move-out next week, however due to the fluid nature of the wildfires that are still in the area, we do not have the details at this time. They will be posted when available.

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Update: 3:58 PM, May 16, 2014

Campus housing questions and concerns can be directed to the following phone numbers between 4 and 7 p.m. today, Friday, May 16. The QUAD: 760-750-3730 and University Village Apartments: 760-750-3711.

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Update: 2:45 PM, May 16, 2014

Campus Housing Move-Out:

While CSUSM and the local area continues to be under evacuation, residential students will be allowed on campus for an expedited move out process at the UVA and The QUAD today, Friday, May 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. Students will not have access to campus before 4 p.m. and will not be able to stay past 7 p.m.

Residents of the UVA and The QUAD will need to arrive at the law enforcement check point, located on Twin Oaks Valley Rd. and State Route 78, with a valid CSUSM student I.D. Due to active road closures in place this will be the only entrance into campus. At this time, non-residential students are not able to come on campus.

Campus personnel will be available to assist students and their families with the move-out process.

If students are unable to make it to campus today, there will be another opportunity to move out tomorrow. We will provide an update with the specific times as soon as possible.

Representatives from the University Bookstore will be on site to facilitate rental book returns and text book buybacks.

Staff from the Dean of Students Office will also be present with resources to assist students with questions.

Please be aware, air quality continues to be a concern in the University area. In addition, this situation continues to be fluid and depending on wildfire activity in the area, we may have to re-evacuate at a moment’s notice.

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Update: 9:00 AM, May 16, 2014

Student Affairs and Campus Housing staff are working diligently with University police to check the air quality and safety of the University Village Apartments and The QUAD. Law enforcement has roads closed surrounding campus. We will provide updates related to move-out as soon as possible.

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Update: 8:26 PM, May 15, 2014

A "Frequently Asked Questions" page about CSUSM's Commencement Ceremonies, rescheduled for Saturday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25, has been posted online and will continue to be updated as more information is available.

View the FAQ page at www.csusm.edu/commencement/graduates/index.html.

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Update: 6:05 PM, May 15, 2014

Due to the evacuations and road closures around campus, we cannot allow student residents to access housing today. CSUSM will provide an update midday tomorrow. Please continue to check back for updates or follow CSUSM on Twitter (@csusmnews).

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Update: 4:28 PM, May 15, 2014

Message from President Haynes:

To honor this year’s graduates we will hold our 2014 Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, 2014 on campus.

Saturday, May 24, 2014
College of Business Administration, 10:30 a.m.
College of Education, Health and Human Services, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 25, 2014
College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, 9:30 a.m.
College of Science and Mathematics, 3:00 p.m.

The decision to cancel this weekend’s Commencement Ceremonies was a difficult one. Thank you for your continued understanding as we monitor the broad-reaching impact of the wildfires on the campus and our surrounding region over the coming days.

We know that you share with us the concern for the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and community. Our thoughts are with those who are being affected by the wildfires and we thank our region’s first responders for their dedication and support.

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Update: 4:26 PM, May 15, 2014

Message from President Haynes and Provost regarding finals and grading:

With students in mind, we are convinced that it is unreasonable to ask students to make up final exams in light of the uncertainty of present circumstances. We are asking that instructors post grades by Thursday, May 22, using their discretion in assigning a final grade for that particular class.

Where faculty are unable to assign a grade, the registrar's office will administratively assign an "incomplete" for the class until the faculty member is able to provide the final grade.

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Update: 10:52 AM, May 15, 2014

We are dealing with this situation in priority order. The safety of our campus community is our first priority. We will be issuing a statement later today regarding commencement.

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Update: 9:55 AM, May 15, 2014

There has been no structural damage to the CSUSM campus at this time. City of San Marcos and Cal Fire report that the Cocos Fire has impacted 800 acres and is currently 5 percent contained.

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Update: 8:01 PM, May 14, 2014

Message from President Haynes: "As a first-generation college student myself, I understand the importance and significance of crossing the stage at Commencement to receive a degree. It not only has special meaning for you but also for your extended family and friends who have supported you in your journey along the way. Canceling Commencement was not a decision we took lightly and we are saddened by the circumstances..." (Read more)

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Update: 6:56 PM, May 14, 2014

CSUSM at Temecula is closed for the rest of the week.

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Update: 6:35 PM, May 14, 2014

Due to the numerous wildfires in the region, CSUSM's Commencement Ceremonies scheduled for Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 have been canceled. The campus will remain closed through Friday, May 16.

The safety of our students, faculty, staff and their families is our primary concern.

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Update: 5:58 PM, May 14, 2014

The Senior Experience Trade Show, scheduled for Thursday, May 15 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, is canceled. All classes and finals have been cancelled for the week.

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Update: 5:00 PM, May 14, 2014

Campus will remain closed through tomorrow, Thursday, May 15. All scheduled classes and finals have been canceled. Please check back for updates.

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Update: 4:50 PM, May 14, 2014

Campus housing residents that need shelter are being evacuated to Mission Hills High School (1 Mission Hills Ct, San Marcos, CA 92069). A sweep of the entire campus is taking place now to ensure the safety of all.

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Update: 3:40 PM, May 14, 2014

CSUSM is being evacuated due to a wildfire on the hillside behind campus.

Please refer to the campus website and Twitter for the most timely updates.

In the meantime, please make your safety and the safety of your loved ones your highest priority.