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Important Weather Update from SSU Regarding Campus Operations this Week (Jan 20, 2025)



Greetings, SSU Campus Community:

In preparation for the impending winter weather, Savannah State University (SSU) will transition to an online format for all classes for students and remote work for non-essential in-person personnel. Essential personnel will report as defined below. Administrators are diligently monitoring the winter weather event and severe weather alerts to evaluate their potential impact to the Savannah area. This weather event is predicted to include rain, sleet/snow mix and due to dangerously low temperatures, including sub-freezing wind chills, lead to hazardous driving conditions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and into Thursday morning. SSU will plan for the online learning/remote work format beginning Tuesday, January 21st through Wednesday, January 22nd. Final decisions regarding the rest of the week will be made and communicated on Wednesday, January 22nd.
 Student Updates:
·      Students should plan for an asynchronous learning environment starting on Tuesday, January 21st, and will continue through Wednesday, January 22nd.
·         Student events scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will be held virtually. A complete list of events for those days will be shared via the Student Life social media platforms.
·         All outdoor athletics practices will be canceled starting Tuesday, January 21st through Wednesday, January 22nd. Practices will resume Thursday, January 23rd, weather permitting
·         Updates will be shared if there are any changes to the SSU dining services schedule
·         There will be no parking allowed around Alexis circle from Tuesday through Thursday, when the area is expected to experience the greatest impacts from the storm.
·         Students are asked to move their vehicles to the Student Union and T.A. Wright Stadium parking lots.
·         If you have any questions or need immediate assistance, reach out to the on-duty phone number for your residence hall or contact the Savannah State University Public Safety Department at 912-358-3004.
Employee Updates:
·         SSU employees that need to retrieve their work items and equipment to facilitate remote work are expected to come in Tuesday morning, before noon and then work remotely from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, January 22nd. Employees with a university issued mobile device should forward all calls to their cell phone.
o   Directions will be provided by Information and Technology Services.
·         Essential personnel, including those from the Department of Public Safety, Campus Police, Facilities, Information Technology, and select members of the Student Affairs team, are required to report to work in person through the week or as directed by your supervisor.
In preparation for the storm, everyone should be planning for heavy mixed precipitation with total snow and sleet accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations up to one quarter of an inch. Impacts to roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions that could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes. Thus, persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared.
Everyone is urged to stay in place until conditions improve. 
  • Be Prepared
    • Stock Up on Essential Supplies: Ensure you have enough non-perishable food, water, prescription medications, and household items (such as toiletries and pet food) to last several days in case of power outages or travel disruptions.
    • Plan for Transportation Delays: If you must travel during the storm, be prepared for delays. Keep your vehicle's gas tank full and have a backup plan for accommodations if you cannot reach your destination.
    • Prepare Your Vehicle: Check tire pressure, windshield wipers, and antifreeze levels. If you need to travel, ensure your vehicle is in good condition and keep the gas tank as full as possible to prevent the fuel line from freezing. When driving, maintain a greater distance from other vehicles to navigate potential ice and snow safely.
    • Stay Warm: During extreme temperatures, try to remain indoors as much as possible. If you must go outside, dress in multiple layers of loose clothing and protect your ears, face, hands, and feet. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a hat will keep you from losing your body heat.
Please be sure you are signed up for the Everbridge app for emergency updates. We will keep you informed through savannahstate.edu, campus email and via SSU's social media channels. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the Savannah State University Public Safety Department at 912-358-3004.

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