As of Monday, May 12, 2008, Berklee is open, and activities are taking place as usual.

Berklee Emergency Notification System (BENS) Test: Thursday, March 27, 2008

The college will conduct a test of the Berklee Emergency Notification System, also known as BENS, on Thursday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. This is only a system test, and no action will be required.

The test message will be sent to all Berklee telephones and email addresses, and to the mobile phones, local home telephones, and alternate email addresses of those at Berklee who have registered this contact information.

Many telephones and mobile phones will ring at about the same time on Thursday morning. This reminder is to help you and those around you to be mindful, when it takes place, that this is a test.

On the day before the BENS test, Wednesday, the 26th, a message will be sent to those who provided a mobile phone number. This will confirm their ability to receive text messages from BENS.

Thanks for your cooperation in this important campus safety initiative.

About College Closings

In general, when weather or another emergency situation prevents the conduct of safe, effective education at Berklee, we will cancel classes and may close other facilities. An effective, efficient system is important because many faculty, staff, and students commute considerable distances. If it is necessary to close the college, television and radio stations (see listing at left) will be notified at the earliest possible opportunity. If there is uncertainty about whether Berklee will be closed or not, let common sense and your personal safety be your guide. Continue listening to the radio, tune in to one of the television channels, or call a colleague or your supervisor. Even if it means getting a late start, you may avoid making an unsafe or needless trip. Emergency staff with specific responsibilities in such situations will be notified in advance and are expected to work on these days.

The Berklee Performance Center generally operates independently of college closings. In the event of a college closing, college events (such as clinics and master classes) will not be held, but professional shows (such as evening concerts) may still be held. If the college is closed, call the Performance Center Concert Line at (617) 747-2261 to confirm whether a show will or will not be held.

A closing will normally cover one specific or, at most, a 24-hour period, unless stated otherwise in the initial communication. Buildings will normally follow the usual Saturday schedule. 1140 Boylston, 921 Boylston, and 22 The Fenway will be closed at 5 p.m. The 168 Mass. Ave. mail rooms as well as the 171 Massachusetts Avenue and Fordham Road practice rooms (hours are 12 noon to midnight) will remain open unless conditions make it impossible for the personnel who work there to get to work. Call the front desk, 617-747-2250, for information about the 171 Mass. Ave. facility. Call 617-747-8699 for information about the Fordham Road facility. Most labs and the Library will be closed. A message regarding the closing will be placed on the college's main telephone number, (617) 266-1400.

Closing for special weekend programs will be coordinated by the program director in conjunction with security.