Location: Bowdoin / Campus Information / Preparedness / Hurricane Irene

Tropical Storm Irene

Tropical Storm Irene has moved through Maine, with little damage in the Brunswick area. The region has experienced mutiple power outages. One campus building (Howell House) lost power, due to the malfunction of a nearby transformer. The College has temporarily restored power at Howell House with the use of a generator.

All Orientation activities are proceeding as scheduled.

  Updated 8/28/2011 - 8:39pm

Generator Power Installed at Howell House — A generator has restored power at Howell House (228 Maine Street). The power outage, caused by a malfunctioning transformer, has been reported to Central Maine Power Company.

  Updated 8/28/2011 - 6:21pm

Power Outage — Howell House (228 Maine Street) has lost power. The rest of the campus is not affected. Facilities Management staff is responding to the Howell House outage, which was caused by a transformer failure on Potter Street.

  Updated 8/28/2011 - 3:47pm

Power Outage Information — Bowdoin College buildings and facilities are identified by Central Maine Power Company (CMP) as being on one of three lists: North Loop, South Loop, or CMP. In the event of a power outage, Campus Safety and Security will issue updates based on these CMP designations. Please review this pdf to determine the designation of each campus building or facility.

  Updated 8/28/2011 - 2:30pm

Library and Museum Close — The Hawthorne-Longfellow Library and the Bowdoin College Museum of Art closed at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in order to permit staff to get home safely before weather conditions deteriorate further.

  Updated 8/28/2011 - 2:30pm

Athletic Practices — Information about athletic team practices scheduled for Monday morning will be communicated to athletes by individual coaches.

  Updated 8/28/2011 - 1:40pm

Lodging Information for Stranded Parents/Students — The College has learned that some parents are stranded at the Portland Jetport and other locations due to the storm. The following links provide information about accommodations in the Portland and Brunswick areas:



  Updated 8/27/2011 - 5:12pm

Students Have Returned From Pre-Orientation Trips— All students who participated in Pre-Orientation Trips have returned to campus safe and sound. Orientation activities are proceeding as scheduled.



  Updated 8/26/2011 - 3:06pm

Pre Orientation Trip Status — There are no anticipated changes to the Pre Orientation trips at this time. Trips are continuing as planned.  All trip participants will be returning to campus tomorrow (Saturday, August 27)  by 4:00 p.m. as originally scheduled.



  Updated 8/26/2011 - 12:20pm

Orientation Event Rain Locations — The following Orientation events will be held as scheduled unless weather conditions require alternate locations. The list below includes rain locations for selected events. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

SATURDAY, AUG 27

Arrival Day/Move-In
Boxes with Students’ Arrival Packets can be at the table at each residence hall, protected by plastic bags. For hard rain, the boxes can be moved inside the residence halls to a common area or suitable space.

President’s Welcome
5:30p.m.   Steps of Bowdoin College Museum of Art -  RAIN LOCATION:  Thorne Dining Hall  

SUNDAY, AUG 28

Faculty Panels
11:30a.m. – 12:45p.m.  NO Changes, except to note again that SIX proctors from the four ‘dorm-pairs’ will each lead a separate group of first-years to each of the SIX Faculty Panels.  NOTE:  An Education for the Common Good is split/printed in the schedule.  It’s in Room 315 Searles. 

Class Field Day & Brunswick Downtown Tours

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. On the Quad - RAIN LOCATION:  Smith Union, Sail Room & Game Room 

College House BBQ Dinner 
Scheduled for 5:15p.m. - 6:15p.m. at five college house locations
RAIN LOCATION:  Thorne Dining Hall  (The call to change location will be made at 11:00am – watch for email.)
NEW TIMES:
4:45p.m. – 5:45p.m.  Coleman/MacMillan, Appleton/Quinby, Osher/Ladd, West/Baxter
5:45p.m. – 6:45p.m.  Moore/Reed, Maine/Helmreich, Winthrop/Burnett, Hyde/Howell 

MONDAY, AUG 29

Class Photo
Meet at 5:30p.m., Photo at 5:45p.m. - RAIN LOCATION:  Morrell Lounge, Smith Union

Updated 8/26/2011 - 12:20pm

For the Faculty: Important Notice Regarding First-Year Advising — The likelihood of severe weather associated with Hurricane Irene coincides with the start of first-year orientation.  As a precaution we have moved the advisors' breakfast (Monday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.) from Moulton Union to Daggett Lounge where, in the event of power outage, a generator can supply power.  We recognize that severe weather conditions may make it inadvisable for some faculty to travel to campus on Monday.  It is essential that all advisors who are on campus Monday attend the breakfast.  At that time we will identify any advisors who could not make it to campus so that we can make alternate arrangements for their advisees.  We will also use this gathering to communicate any changes in the orientation schedule and to discuss what resources will be available to advisors in the event of power outages.  If you are able to let us know in advance if you encounter travel difficulties on Monday, we would be grateful. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Jim Higginbotham (jhigginb@bowdoin.edu; mobile 841-0888). 

We are talking with Departments concerning the placement consultations and auditions scheduled for Sunday afternoon. While we do not anticipate any problems resulting from the approaching weather on Sunday, we do want to prepare in case there is any loss of power or travel issues and we are making arrangements directly with individual departments. 

Again, we will clarify any changes and answer questions at our breakfast meeting Monday morning.   

Updated 8/26/2011 - 12:20pm

Information for Upperclassmen Returning to Campus — Upperclass students should plan to return safely to campus when possible.  You will be able to access your Fall 2011 assignment when you arrive. Regular meal plans begin at lunch on Tuesday, August 30, so students returning sooner should add money to their Onecard if they want to eat in campus dining facilities.

Updated 8/26/2011 - 12:20pm

Athletic Team Practices -- If our area is under a hurricane warning Sunday night into Monday morning, we will cancel all athletic team practices scheduled for Monday morning.  Otherwise, we will make a decision on Sunday afternoon regarding moving practices to pre-arranged indoor locations.

Updated 8/26/2011 - 12:20pm

Emergency Telephones -- In the event that the College loses power during the storm, or if cellular telephone service is disrupted, the College maintains land-line emergency "green stripe" telephones in many campus locations. If there is no dial tone on your regular VoIP phone, you may use a green stripe phone. You will need to locate the nearest phone with a green stripe. Green Stripe Phones are located in both Residence Halls and Academic and Administrative buildings. Please familiarize yourself with the location of the Green Stripe Phones in your building, by reviewing these lists: Residence Halls / Academic and Administrative Buildings  (Bowdoin ID and password required).

Making Calls

  • On-campus calls: Simply pick up the Green Stripe Phone and dial the 4 or 5 digit extension.
  • Off-campus local calls: Pick up the phone, dial 9 and the 7 digit telephone number.
  • Long-distance calls: Pick up the phone, dial 9, 1, area code and the 7 digit telephone number. You  will be prompted for your long distance code.

Incoming calls
If your Green Stripe phone extension starts with 6 you will not be able to receive incoming calls from off-campus. You can receive calls from on-campus.