As stated earlier, the College will be closed beginning Tuesday, September 11. Only essential College personnel should report to campus on Tuesday and Wednesday in order to make storm preparations and provide appropriate student support services.
Below is some information that you may find useful as you make your storm preparations.
Road Closures
For students and families, please note that the eastbound lanes of I-26 will be closed early Tuesday morning, September 11, in preparation for a noon mandatory evacuation. This lane reversal may impact some students’ evacuation plans, so please be aware of this change.
From Charleston to Columbia: A full four-lane reversal on I-26 in Charleston will begin at the interchange of I-26 and I-526. The full reversal continues west until the I-26 crossover to I-77 just outside Columbia in Lexington County.
Please note: that the Charleston peninsula is not closed and that other routes into the city will be open.
Residence Hall Closures
All residence hall and historic houses will be closed as of 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 12.
Students who are planning to leave campus after that time may wait for their ride at the Stern Student Center until 2:00 p.m.
For those students evacuating with the College, details will be provided by the Residence Life team.
Dining Facilities Closures
Liberty Fresh Food Company (the main dining facility on campus) will remain open until 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 12.
Box lunches will be available in Stern Student Center for those student evacuating on buses or students waiting in the Stern Student Center. All other meals will be provided for students who are evacuating with us.
Evacuation Needs
Only fill out the Hurricane Florence Evacuation Needs Form if you need College-provided transportation and shelter. You will be signing up for a bus transporting you to the College’s designated emergency location. Note: students on these buses will not be choosing a destination. And students will not be allowed to leave that location until the College organizes the return trip to Charleston and they will return on the busses.
Students needing transportation will assemble on Wednesday, September 12, at 11:00 a.m. at the Stern Student Center.
Returning to Campus
We remind students not to come back until the campus has been officially reopened by College officials. Depending on the severity of the storm, the College’s facilities management and public safety teams need to inspect and clear each building before students may return. This includes both residence halls and historic houses as well as general campus buildings.
At this moment, the College anticipates that residence halls and historic houses will be reopened Sunday, September 16; however, please wait for official notification from the College through the College’s Cougar Alert system.
The College hopes to resume classes on Monday, September 17.