Dear Campus Community,
At this time, the College of Charleston plans to follow regular class and work schedules and modes on Tuesday, January 21, with in-person classes beginning at 8 a.m. and regular campus business hours beginning at 8:30 a.m. Confirmation of this schedule or any changes to this schedule will be announced to campus on Monday afternoon. While we are currently planning for normal operations on Tuesday, we are prepared for changes and will inform campus accordingly.
The College is closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The National Weather Service is forecasting hazardous winter weather conditions for the Charleston area beginning late Tuesday, January 21, and possibly continuing into Thursday, January 23. The cold front is expected to bring bitterly cold temperatures and a mixture of snow, freezing rain, sleet and black ice to the region.
Per the advisory sent Friday, January 17, students, faculty and staff should have brought class and/or work materials and equipment with them in the event adjustments are made to class and work modes. If the weather forces a closure of campus, the College will prioritize maintaining academic and work continuity in a remote/virtual environment to the extent possible. Residence halls and necessary support services will continue to be provided. For general information about online learning during a campus closure, please refer here.
The Forecast
- The coldest period will be late Tuesday night through Wednesday night when temperatures drop into the upper teens to mid-20s, and breezy/cold conditions maintain lower wind-chill temperatures during daylight hours on Wednesday. Minimum wind-chill values as cold as 8-15 degrees above zero are possible.
- The greatest risk for accumulating winter precipitation is Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning.
- Significant accumulations of snow (1-2”) and freezing rain (0.05-0.20”) are possible.
- There is a low-end risk that freezing rain will occur Thursday and again Friday, mainly in the mornings.
- Cold Weather Advisories and Extreme Cold Watches/Warnings are likely to be issued.
Cold Weather Tips
If you go outdoors:
- Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat and mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
- Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
- If traveling in a vehicle, consider taking a blanket, extra coat and boots in the event your vehicle becomes disabled.
- Make certain cell phone batteries are fully charged.
- Watch for patches of ice when walking and driving. Remember, bridges have a tendency to freeze before roadways.
On campus:
- Report leaking or ruptured pipes and other building issues on campus to Facilities Management using the Facilities Work Orders tile in MyPortal.
- For campus emergencies, contact College of Charleston Public Safety Department by calling 911. For non-emergencies, contact Public Safety at 843.953.5609.
If you live off campus:
- Ensure doors and windows are closed to prevent cold air from entering buildings and reaching water lines.
- Keep thermostats at a reasonable temperature and avoid any setting below 60 degrees.
- Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
- Protect water pipes by allowing faucets to drip slowly.
- Bring pets inside.
Additional tips on preparing for and staying safe during periods of extreme cold can be found on the National Weather Service website.
Sincerely,
CofC Emergency Management Team