Students, faculty and staff:This week’s unprecedented weather event and the resulting flooding and travel impacts have forced Louisiana Tech to alter our schedules and operations in an effort to safeguard our students, faculty, and staff, both on campus and in the community. Above all other factors, my highest priority is the safety of our people and to ensure our institution is able to operate in an efficient and effective manner. Protecting our students, faculty, and staff is always the first and most important consideration when making the decision to close campus or modify class schedules.Our Emergency Response Team has been working throughout this weather event and campus closure to continuously monitor conditions on and off campus, and to provide me with the best information possible. Going forward, we will continue to provide the campus community with information and recommendations through the Emergency Response Team website (http://ert.latech.edu). I ask that you continue to monitor this site regularly for official and updates. We will also continue to communicate through the Louisiana Tech website, social media sites, local media outlets, and the text message/notification system.I know that many of our students, staff and their families who live across the region have had some significant damage and personal loss from the flooding. Let’s keep all of these families and others across the region in our thoughts and prayers.I hope all students, faculty, and staff and their families will continue to heed the warnings and advisories issued by the National Weather Service, the Louisiana Tech Police Department, and our other public safety agencies throughout this weather event. Please stay safe and avoid travel on area roadways unless it is absolutely necessary. We will continue to provide you with information and updates as often as possible.Leslie K. GuicePresident