All the RAs on campus recently received an ominous email, OTR has been told. Apparently there is a big storm headed our way tomorrow, and ResLife is implementing some safety protocols:

The forecast is predicting a storm tomorrow which may bring heavy rain and wind gusts of 50-75 mph, particularly in our area. Please be aware of the following:

1.) In the event that the campus loses power, Public Safety will institute fire watches within the residence halls.

2.) Remind your residents that candles are still prohibited in the event of a power loss.

3.) It may be a good idea to have flashlights on hand.

4.) Public Safety will monitor the storm progress and communicate pertinent information as needed – so you and your residents should pay attention to any flyers that are put up in buildings or emails sent out.

Now, we're all for safety and stuff, but some of this is a little ridiculous. Fire Watches? Are these what we think they are? Just people wandering the halls looking for fire? Isn't this something everyone does already? "That looks like a fire in my dorm...but I guess it's not really my place to say anything."

Also, are flyers really the most efficient means of communicating safety information to Tufts students? Seems like we've developed faster methods now-and-days (Pony Express, anyone?)...wish there was time to say something snarky, but we're too busy watching the walls for information.