Message from Richard McCarty, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

I have been in contact with Chancellor Zeppos and Vanderbilt police and local emergency personnel concerning the storms that have caused widespread flooding in the Nashville area as well as minor damage to some university buildings. Some of our students have been displaced from their dormitory rooms because of water damage and many of our faculty and staff are dealing with damage to their homes or live in areas threatened by rising waters from nearby streams and rivers. Given these challenges, I have decided to cancel all exams scheduled for Monday, May 3. I ask that all faculty members work with their students to schedule an alternate time or times to administer their exams, including extending the exam period by one day. If a given faculty member and his or her students can go forward with the exam as scheduled, I trust them to make that decision. However, my guiding principle is that no student should be disadvantaged given the events of the past two days. I do not take this action lightly but my primary concern is the safety of our students, staff and faculty.

At this time, emergency officials are urging all Nashville area residents to stay in place unless they are threatened by rising water. If anyone on campus feels in danger from flooding, please call the Vanderbilt University Police Department dispatcher at 615-322-2745.

Please check the Vanderbilt homepage at www.vanderbilt.edu for further updates.

Thank you for your understanding during this most difficult time.