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If a "rolling blackout" occurs during hours of daylight, Faculty and Staff should:

Do Not Use The Elevators. Elevators stop operating when there is no power. In all buildings, when there is a power interruption, the elevators stop where they are. The door will not open but there are battery-operated lights in the elevators. If there is a power interruption, elevators will be checked immediately. The elevator will be lowered to the next floor by Physical Plant staff. Please be patient and don't panic. It may take a few minutes to assist you.
If it is not possible to continue working due to the blackout, please exit the building. Building wardens will be available to assist in any evacuation efforts. Special assistance will be provided to individuals who are not able to go down the stairs on their own.
Open doors and window coverings to take advantage of natural light.
Help those in need of assistance.
Remain at your work location and/or work with your Vice President's Office to relocate faculty/staff and classes to areas where there is natural light.
Resume normal operating procedures when power is restored (approximately one hour).
Shut off any equipment that was left on when the blackout occurred to minimize damage from a sudden surge once the power is restored.
Carry flashlights for use in restrooms or other rooms in which there is no light. In the event of a blackout, flashlights will be distributed.

In the event of a blackout, the campus emergency lighting system will activate. This lighting is primarily located in hallways and stairwells. If someone needs to leave a multi-story building during a blackout and is not able to take the stairs, we have evacuation chairs available that will allow us to assist anyone down the stairs.

There are many things that each of us can do to help conserve energy in order to help us avoid the risk of a rolling blackout.

If you have any questions or concerns about possible blackouts or other safety issues, you can contact:

Environmental Health and Safety: 3995
Public Safety: 3639
Physical Plant: 3804

If a "rolling blackout" occurs during hours of darkness, Faculty and Staff should:

Initially remain in your location and open doors and window coverings to take advantage of emergency lights.
If there are no lights operating on campus, it is safe to assume a "rolling blackout" has occurred.
Classes should evacuate the campus and the campus will close.
Use flashlights and "light sticks" to assist everyone from the building.
Lock offices and turn off all equipment, if feasible.
Prior to leaving the building, check to ensure no one is trapped in an elevator (shout to them). If someone is inside, advise them to use the emergency phone and call the Police Department at x.3639.
Assume the campus will remain closed for the rest of the evening. Advise everyone campus will reopen the following day.

If a power outage occurs during daylight hours - Campus will remain open - Implement "Daylight Procedures" listed above.

If a power outage occurs during the hours of darkness - Campus will close - Implement the "Nighttime Procedures" listed above.

Generally, elevators stop operating when there is no power. In all buildings when there is a power interruption, the elevators stop where they are. The door will not open but there are battery-operated lights in the elevators. If someone is stranded inside they can use the emergency phone and call the Police Department. The elevator will be lowered to the next available floor by a mechanic. Be patient and don't panic. It may take a few minutes to assist you.