Schools
Chestnut Hill College Orientation Weekend Canceled Mid-Move In
Orientation and move-in are postponed until further notice due to Hurricane Irene.
Hundreds of freshman spent this morning moving onto campus, only to be told that orientation weekend has been canceled due to the of Hurricane Irene.
A statement on the college website issued at 1 p.m. states that because the college is in an area that is very likely to flood during the storm, "parents and families of new students are encouraged to finish moving in, close windows, lock the door and take your student home with you when you leave campus."
The earliest that students could be allowed to return is Tuesday, but the campus website will be updated as damage from the storm is assessed, the statement said.
Find out what's happening in Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"The safety of our students, staff and faculty has to be our highest priority, and as [college officials] were finding out more about the storm, they decided it was better to err on the side of caution," Media Relations Manager Lisa Mixon said.
A number of Chestnut Hill College students are from New Jersey, which, , is under a state of emergency.
Find out what's happening in Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patch was on campus during move-in day and spoke with students before the cancellation was announced. Students and their families were calm, if slightly apprehensive about the approaching storm.
Freshman Brittany Hoban, a softball player, is from Tom's River, NJ.
"My house is like five minutes from the ocean—so I'm glad I'm here," Hoban said.
Sophomore Al Graziano, who was on campus with the rest of the soccer team on Friday to help first year students move in, lives in Point Pleasant, NJ. He said he was worried his house would be flooded, given its proximity to the beach.
Mixon said that students who cannot return home with their families or stay with friends were to register with the Security Desk on the ground floor of Fitzsimmons Hall by 6 p.m. Friday.
"I can assure you that the students here on campus will be well taken care of," she said.
The Dr. Seuss-themed orientation weekend was to include a green eggs and ham brunch, quidditch lessons, a drive in movie, Philly-themed meals and a ghost tour.
