The latest PG&E public safety power shutoff and campus information.
Editor’s Note: The following update was posted on October 10 at 8:45 p.m.
San Jose State University remains open on Friday, October 11 for classes and all activities. As PG&E restores power to areas of San Jose, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use public transportation. This is the final update on the PGE4Me Public Safety Power Shutoff.
Editor’s Note: The following update was posted on October 10 at 6:40 a.m.
San Jose State University will remain open today, Thursday, October 10 for classes and all activities. PG&E’s anticipated Public Safety Power Shutoff began last night in the eastern foothills and southern San Jose area near the Almaden Valley, but it does not affect the SJSU campus. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use public transportation whenever possible this week. Further updates will be posted as new information becomes available
Editor’s Note: The following update was posted on October 9 at 8:45 p.m.
San Jose State University will remain open tomorrow, Thursday, October 10 for classes and all activities. PG&E’s anticipated Public Safety Power Shutoff tonight in the eastern foothills and southern San Jose area near the Almaden Valley area is not expected to affect the campus. SJSU encourages students, faculty and staff to use public transportation whenever possible this week. Further updates will be posted as new information becomes available.
Editor’s Note: The following update was posted on October 9 at 4:45 p.m.
PG&E has delayed the previously announced Public Safety Power Shutoff until 8:00 p.m. tonight. The power shutoff is still expected to occur in the eastern foothills and southern San Jose area near Almaden Valley. At this time, no power outage is expected in downtown San Jose.
San Jose State University will remain open for classes and all activities on Thursday, October 10. SJSU recommends faculty, staff and students use public transportation whenever possible this week to limit congestion on city streets. Further updates will be posted as new information becomes available.
Editor’s Note: The following update was posted on October 9 at 6:30 a.m.
San Jose State University will remain open for classes and all activities on Wednesday, October 9. Further updates will be posted as new information becomes available.
Editor’s Note: The following update was posted on October 8 at 8:54 p.m.
PG&E’s planned Public Safety Power Shutoff is still in place. The National Weather Service has no changes to its forecast.
As of this time, the SJSU campus will be open for classes and all activities on Wednesday, October 9.
Updates will be posted as additional information becomes available.
Editor’s note: The following message was emailed to all students, faculty and staff on October 8, 2019. We will post updates on this web page as new information becomes available.
Campus Message on Information Regarding Possible PG&E Power Shutoff Oct. 9 – 10. Sent on Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m. from Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Dear Campus Community,
As of Tuesday, October 8, the SJSU campus is not expected to be impacted and we anticipate remaining open.
On Monday, October 7, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) announced a Public Safety Power Shutoff event (PSPS) due to potential weather conditions including gusty winds and dry conditions that create a heightened fire risk. This high wind event is forecast to begin on Wednesday, October 9 at approximately 4 a.m. and continue through the evening hours of Thursday, October 10.
PG&E may proactively turn off power to customers in 30 counties, including Santa Clara County in the Bay Area. While customers in high fire-threat areas are more likely to be affected, PG&E advises that more than 5 million electric customers across Northern California could have their power shut off. This is because the energy system relies on power lines working together to provide electricity across California.
You can check in advance to see if the power will be shut off at your home or a family member’s home here.
In the event that our campus will be impacted, all residence hall students will receive specific guidance from University Housing Services regarding contingency plans including generators for residence halls as well as food service plans.
Essential personnel who work in University Housing Services, SJSU Dining Commons, Diaz Compean Student Union, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center, Student Health Center, University Police and Strategic Communications personnel will be required to report to campus. If you are essential personnel and are unable to get to campus due to the power outage, contact your supervisor who will make arrangements to cover your duties.
Furthermore, we are collecting information about research spaces that require power and how to support them if we lose power. Faculty who have any concerns about research spaces should contact John Skyberg, senior director of facility services, at john.skyberg@sjsu.edu.
Here are things you can do to prepare for an outage and during an outage:
San Jose State University is closely monitoring weather alerts and advisories from PG&E and will notify you if PG&E decides to shut off power on campus. We will continue to provide updates to keep you informed.
- Watch for SJSU text alerts on Tuesday (10/8) and Wednesday (10/9) as more information becomes available
- We will provide updates on the SJSU Newsroom on Tuesday (10/8) at 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday (10/9) at 7:00 a.m. Additional updates will be provided throughout the week
- Follow us on Twitter at #SJSU for updates
Alert SJSU is SJSU’s campus alert notification system. We strongly urge you to review your contact information by logging onto your “My SJSU” account and clicking on the Alert SJSU tab. Students are automatically enrolled, but if you are not receiving SJSU alerts, check with your cell phone provider. Faculty and staff must enroll through their My SJSU Account. For more information: Alert SJSU
Additional resources:
- Link to PG&E
- Link to City of San Jose
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated as of October 8, 2019
What is a PG&E public safety power shutoff?
For public safety, it may be necessary for PG&E to turn off electricity when gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with heightened fire risk, are forecasted. This is called a “Public Safety Power Shutoff” or “PSPS.”
When is the PG&E public safety power shutdown?
Weather conditions, including potential fire risk, have been forecast that may impact electric service to the PG&E service area. If a decision is made to turn the power off, it will occur between Wednesday, October 9 at approximately 4 a.m. and continue through the evening hours of Thursday, October 10.
Will campus be shut down?
As of Tuesday, October 8 at (5:30 p.m.), the SJSU campus is not impacted and we anticipate remaining open. We have our own Central Energy Plant which supplies much of our own electricity. We also have backup generators to cover key areas that might be impacted. The campus will continue to supply power to critical infrastructure
How Will SJSU communicate updates?
- Watch for SJSU text alerts on Tuesday (10/8) evening or Wednesday (10/9) as more information becomes available
- We will provide updates on the SJSU Newsroom at 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Follow us on Twitter at #SJSU for updates
How will I know if PG&E decides to cut off the power?
PG&E updates can be found here.
How can I find out if the campus is affected or if my house is affected?
You can check on the PSPS of any specific address at: https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/psps-service-impact-map.page
Will campus housing be open?
Yes, all residence halls will remain open. In the event that SJSU is impacted by PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff, all residence hall students will receive specific guidance from University Housing Services regarding contingency plans including generators for residence halls as well as foodservice plans.
Will faculty or staff need to use sick or vacation time if the campus shuts down?
No, if campus shuts down faculty and staff will not be required to use personal, vacation, or sick leave during the closure.
Do essential personnel need to report to campus in case of a closure?
Yes, essential personnel including those who work in University Housing Services, SJSU Dining Commons, Diaz Compean Student Union, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center and Student Health Center will be required to report to campus.
As a supervisor, what should I do to support my team members?
We need to be as flexible as possible with the directly impacted areas. We will not be requiring people to take a vacation, personal, or sick leave if they live in an area directly impacted by the shutoff. Please do your best to cover the functions of your area. If you need additional guidance, contact your supervisor.
What should I do to prepare for a power shutdown?
- Create a safety plan for all members of your family, including pets
- Stock up on non-perishable food
- Prepare an emergency supply kit
- Charge your mobile phone
- Have flashlights ready. Avoid using candles
- Have a battery-powered or crank radio
- Stock up on batteries
- Keep cash on hand and a full tank of gas