Message from Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D. President of Iona College

October 31, 2012 (2:40 pm)

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Administrators,

I write to provide an update on the status of Iona College.

First, each of you is a vital part of Iona College and your families remain in our prayers as you work to cope and overcome the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. Your personal and family’s safety and well-being are of the greatest importance to us. 

The Iona campus has partial power and remains a resource for you and your family.  For example, students and employees alike have been charging cell phones and computers at charging stations in McSpedon and the Arrigoni Center. Please feel free to come to campus to charge your electronic equipment, review emails, make calls to your loved ones, dine with us at LaPenta, or simply warm up.  The full resources of the College remain available to you.

Due to widespread power outages, classes have been cancelled through Friday, November 2^nd. Safety and weather permitting, we encourage students to be with their immediate families. We will also continue to shelter students who remain on campus.  The Office of Student Development and SGA will continue to plan activities for students, while attempting to make everyone as comfortable as possible.

The campus will remain open Thursday through Sunday. Employees working in McSpedon Hall, Murphy Center, or the LaPenta Student Union will be permitted to work on site, provided they can safely travel to campus. Please note that only employees designated to directly support residential students, provide for the safety of the campus, or critical to bringing the College back to operational status are required to come to campus to work. Questions regarding works status should be directed to your departmental or division supervisors. Your personal safety and the well-being of your families are the highest priority.

The Iona College Open House scheduled for Sunday, November 4^th will occur with central activities in Murphy and Arrigoni centers. Additional communications will be forthcoming.

The Iona community remains grateful to security, facilities, residential life, senior administrative, and Chartwells employees who continue to provide services to students and the campus.  Many of these employees have slept on campus in order to provide 24 hour services.

Time, faith, and your efforts will overcome the impact of the storm. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please continue to stay in touch and let us know if we can help you in any way.

Thank you and may God bless you. 

Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D.

President