Monitoring Hurricane Dorian

Updated 9-6-19 at 3:25 p.m.

The CSU campus will reopen on Saturday, September 7, at 7 a.m. Residents will be allowed to enter their residence hall at that time. Currently, campus WiFi is unavailable, but we are actively working to restore that service.  

The dining hall will open on Saturday, September 7, at 8 a.m. Java City will reopen Sunday evening and Chick-fil-A will be back to normal operations on Monday. The library will be open on Sunday for normal hours beginning at 3 p.m.

Classes will resume on Monday, Sept. 9 at 8 a.m., and the university will follow normal operating hours. Faculty and staff should report to work at that time. 

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use caution when traveling back to campus as they may encounter heavy traffic and unsafe road conditions. Check out road conditions at here.

Updated 9-6-19 at 1:30 p.m.

Charleston Southern University personnel continue to assess the campus for damage. Due to power outages, we will delay the decision to open campus at this time. If possible, classes and normal campus activities are expected to resume on Monday, Sept. 9. We are working diligently to have students back on campus by early this weekend. Another update will be sent by 6 p.m. today. 

Students should continue coursework via Blackboard. Certain systems, including MyCSU and applications, are down and we are actively working to restore these services.  

Late fees for any student payments due this week will be waived. 

Buccaneer Express for the CSU vs. USC game will continue Saturday as planned. Please park in the Whitfield Stadium parking lot.  

Please continue to monitor the CSU website, BUC Alerts and social media. Before traveling, be sure to also check out road conditions here.

Updated 9-5-19 at 9 p.m.

Now that Hurricane Dorian has moved through the area, Charleston Southern University personnel are assessing for any damage on campus. Once a full assessment is complete and it is deemed safe to do so, officials will announce the campus reopening. Continue to monitor Buc Alerts, CSU social media and charlestonsouthern.edu/news for an update on Friday, September 6.

Updated 9-2-19 at 11:35 a.m.

Evacuation for coastal areas begins today (Sept. 2) and mandatory evacuation for resident students at Charleston Southern University is in effect at 4 p.m. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Resident students must fill out the Evacuation Residential Form! We need to know each one of our students is safe.
2. Lane reversal on I-26 is in effect. This means the entire interstate will flow away from Charleston. Click here to see where you can exit on the evacuation route. You will not be able to take the normal Westbound (to Columbia) lanes from the university. However, residents leaving University Boulevard for I-26 can exit from Hwy 78 to the reverted lanes on the Eastbound side of the interstate, which will take drivers to Columbia.
3. The CSU Dining Hall closes at 1:30 p.m. today until further notice.
4. All activities for the week are canceled. Stay tuned for event rescheduling announcements.
5. New to the area? Get local weather updates from one of the local media websites and social media. (i.e. WTMA 1250 AM, WCBD NBC, WCIV ABC, WCSC CBS, WITV ETV, WTAT FOX)

University leadership will continue to monitor conditions and update as appropriate. Please monitor Buc Alerts, CSU social media and charlestonsouthern.edu/news for the most up-to-date information.

Updated 9-1-19 at 6:55 p.m.

Due to the elevated threat of Hurricane Dorian, classes, athletic events, campus activities and campus visits at Charleston Southern University are canceled beginning Monday, Sept. 2 until further notice.

There is a mandatory evacuation for resident students by Monday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. Students without an evacuation plan should talk to their Resident Assistant now or go to the housing office in Russell West 126 at 8 a.m. tomorrow. All lanes on I-26 will be westbound toward Columbia by noon tomorrow. 

It is mandatory that all resident students complete the Evacuation Residential Form before leaving campus. Students should complete the form online. A copy of the form also may be obtained from an RA or the housing office. Shut down all computers and unplug electronic devices prior to leaving. Students are also encouraged to read the CSU Emergency Procedures at charlestonsouthern.edu/emergency.

Students will not be allowed on campus until they are notified that it has reopened. Students should use Blackboard to keep up with assignments until classes resume. 

International students should complete the Hurricane Tracker and the Emergency Contact Form. Students are welcome to evacuate with the International Programs team. Please contact Stephanie LeVan for evacuation details at slevan@csuniv.edu. 

If you are a CSU student or parent and haven’t signed up for Buc Alerts, please register today. 

The safety of our campus community is always the number one priority. University leadership will continue to monitor conditions and update as appropriate. Please monitor Buc Alerts, CSU social media and charlestonsouthern.edu/news for the most up-to-date information.

Updated 9-1-19 at 3:20 p.m.

Charleston Southern University remains on a normal operating schedule. We are in constant contact with the Charleston County Emergency Operations Center, the Red Cross, and the SC Emergency Management Division as the situation with Hurricane Dorian evolves.

We also work collaboratively with our fellow universities and schools as we are all committed to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. CSU will continue to monitor and make strategic decisions as soon as the National Hurricane Center determines the most probable track for Dorian.

All students should continue to prepare now in the event of an evacuation. Residents, talk to your families and RAs about possible plans. International students should complete the Hurricane Tracker and Emergency Contact Form sent via email.

The safety of the CSU community remains our highest priority. If the weather situation changes and it becomes necessary for class cancellations or campus evacuation and closure, that information will be posted on the CSU webpage, BUC Alerts will be issued and the local media outlets will be informed. Please continue to stay informed and prepared.

If you have not already done so, please review the campus safety plans for hurricanes here, visit the Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness guide or check out the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website for preparation recommendations.

Updated 8-31-19 at 4 p.m.

University officials continue to monitor the projected path of Hurricane Dorian. At this time, CSU remains on a normal operating schedule. Everyone is urged to check weather updates regularly as the hurricane progresses towards Florida. CSU maintains close contact with emergency officials and will await more information from the state and local governments to make any further determinations. 

The safety of the CSU community remains our highest priority. If the weather situation changes and it becomes necessary for class cancellations or campus evacuation and closure, that information will be posted on the CSU webpage, BUC Alerts will be issued and the local media outlets will be informed. Please continue to stay informed and prepared.

Everyone is encouraged to visit the Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness guide or check out the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website.

Updated 8-30-19 at 4 p.m.

Hurricane Dorian continues to be monitored by university officials. At this time, there are no planned changes to campus activities over the weekend. Everyone is urged to check weather updates regularly as the hurricane progresses towards Florida. CSU is maintaining close contact with local emergency officials. If Hurricane Dorian takes a northwesterly turn, South Carolina could be impacted.

The safety of the CSU community remains our highest priority. Currently, CSU remains on a normal operating schedule. Athletic events and other activities will be held as planned. 

If the weather situation changes and it becomes necessary for class cancellations or campus evacuation and closure, that information will be posted on the CSU webpage, BUC Alerts will be issued and the local media outlets will be informed.

Everyone is encouraged to visit the Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness guide or check out the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website. 

Posted 8-29-19 at 2 p.m.

Charleston Southern University officials are monitoring the track of Hurricane Dorian. The university’s top priority is the safety of our campus community. All faculty, staff, coaches and students should monitor local media, the CSU website and Buc Alerts for updates on Hurricane Dorian and begin to formulate personal evacuation plans now in the event of campus closure. 

Current forecast models show the storm’s path may possibly approach Florida or Georgia early next week, with potential impact on South Carolina. At present, CSU remains on its normal operating schedule and all classes are being held as scheduled. PLEASE NOTE: University emergency management or state officials are not stating that an evacuation is necessary or required.

In the event that Hurricane Dorian threatens CSU directly, residential students may be required to evacuate the campus. Residential students should discuss with their parents, coaches or Residence Life Coordinators where they might go should they be required to evacuate.

If CSU closes, everyone but essential personnel will have to evacuate campus. Please stay alert for Buc Alerts and monitor the website for additional information. The campus community is encouraged not to wait until the last minute to obtain the essentials necessary for evacuation (e.g., gas, flashlight, fully charged cell phone).

Please take this time to review the campus safety plans for hurricanes here as well as Charleston County’s Emergency Management page for helpful tips.

Here are some quick tips for a possible student “hurrication”:

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