Cougar Alert: Winter Weather Update
Dear Campus Community,
Due to the freezing temperatures and icy road conditions, the College of Charleston campus will remain closed tomorrow, Friday, January 24. Classes will be conducted via e-learning mode on Friday. Faculty will continue to update students regarding instructional plans for individual classes. Addlestone Library’s virtual services will continue until campus reopens. For general information about online learning during a campus closure, please refer to emergency.cofc.edu.
College staff will receive guidance from their division heads and/or supervisors regarding work hours/modes and campus operations for Friday. Essential College operations will be maintained to keep campus safe and secure. Where possible, employees will work remotely, and campus support operations will be conducted remotely.
Residence halls will remain open, and dining and necessary support services will continue to be provided. Everyone is encouraged to avoid vehicular travel unless an emergency exists. Please use caution when traveling on foot outdoors.
Campus Dining Hours
Thursday, January 23
- Liberty St. Food Hall and The Market are open until 7 p.m.
Friday, January 24
- Liberty St. Food Hall: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- The Market: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Students can use multiple meal taps at The Market for items to stock up. Please visit Campus Services’ Dining Updates section for further updates to dining hours.
Storm Make-up Days for Academics
While the Academic Calendar identifies January 25-26 as storm day make–ups, these dates will not be used. However, Saturday, February 8, is already designated as a storm day make-up, and Sunday, February 9, has just been added on the Registrar’s website. Storm day makeups are scheduled for on-campus instruction for PE Activity Courses, labs, studio and performance courses only; virtual instruction on these makeup days for all other courses.
Weekend Events
No final decisions have been made regarding campus events and activities scheduled for this weekend. Student Affairs will communicate directly with students on Friday regarding any schedule adjustments to weekend events and activities.
Campus Recreation
The George Street Fitness Center and the Johnson Center will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. Check their website for any updated weekend hours.
Athletics (Cougars vs. UNCW – Thursday at 7 p.m.)
The CofC men’s basketball game versus UNCW will be played tonight at 7 p.m. at TD Arena. However, given the continued impacts of the winter weather and in partnership with our local government partners and vendors, we are making the following adjustments:
- No concessions will be provided.
- The game will be broadcast locally on the CW Network for those unable to make it to TD Arena.
- Advance student tickets will not be necessary; students can gain entry with just their student ID/Cougar Card.
Further, the City of Charleston advises that they are continually monitoring road and bridge conditions. Depending on conditions as the temperatures drop tonight, there may be a need for closures that could impact movement around and on and off the downtown peninsula tonight.
Any fan that chooses to come to the game should use extreme caution. With the snow melting and refreezing overnight Wednesday, many sidewalks and roads in the Charleston area remain icy and hazardous for travel. There will be additional melting today as temperatures rise, but significant icy patches are likely to remain around the entrances to TD Arena before, during and after game time on Thursday. Anyone attending the UNCW game tonight should be extremely careful due to slippery sidewalks and the potential for snow and ice to fall from buildings. The College’s Facilities personnel are doing their best to ameliorate these conditions but cannot totally eliminate the danger presented by these icy conditions. Those attending the game do so at their own risk.
The Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory with below freezing temperatures continuing through Friday night. Due to the melting and refreezing of meltwater overnight tonight, black ice will remain a danger in many areas on Friday.
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