Valdosta State University will be closed starting Sunday, Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. Students, refer to the email below by Dr. Carvajal regarding student evacuation. The Spectator will continue to post current forecasts of Hurricane Irma’s projected path and safety information. The National Weather Service has predicted the storm will directly impact South Georgia and the Valdosta area. Stay safe Blazers.

Email regarding Campus Closure

“Valdosta State University is ceasing normal business operations beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, and continuing through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, due to the threat of inclement weather from Hurricane Irma, which is expected to impact the region Sunday night.

All classes on Monday, Sept. 11, and Tuesday, Sept. 12, have been cancelled. This includes all online classes and classes held at Moody Air Force Base. VSU’s Camden County campus will close at 6 p.m. today and resume normal operations on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Residence halls will remain open and staffed. If you are a student who lives on campus, please visit www.valdosta.edu/hurricanehousing and let us know if or when you plan to leave campus. Housing staff will remain in the halls during the storm to assist on-campus students. Follow all housing staff guidelines during this time. If you have a vehicle on campus, please move it to a parking deck or away from any trees or potential falling objects on or before Friday evening.

Palms Dining will be open on Sunday from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. On Monday, breakfast and lunch will be provided to on-campus residents in the residence halls. Palms Dining will be open on Monday from 5 p.m. through 10 p.m., and will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. All other dining locations will be closed from 5 p.m. Sunday until 5 p.m. Tuesday.

All activities scheduled for this weekend will continue as planned until 5 p.m. on Sunday. This includes the Okefenokee Football Classic in Waycross on Saturday at 7 p.m. and any organizational meetings and activities scheduled on campus.    

All activities and events scheduled during the closure period have been cancelled. The soccer game on Sunday has been cancelled.

The university will resume normal operations at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12. This includes Odum Library, the Student Recreation Center, the Student Union and its dining facilities, and any scheduled activities.

Administrative offices will remain closed from 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, until 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Supervisors will notify any essential personnel required to report to work during the closure period.

Classes will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Because of the expected power outages and damage throughout the storm’s projected path, faculty members are asked to be flexible during this time and to work with our online and on-campus students on the best accommodation necessary.

VSU Public Safety continues to closely monitor the situation, alongside the Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency and other area first responders. Hurricane Irma-related updates will be posted at www.valdosta.edu/news, on Facebook (VStateNews) and Twitter (@VStateNews); shared with area news media; and sent directly to students, faculty, and staff through the Campus Alert System via text message, voice call, and email.

The safety and security of our Blazer Nation family is always our primary concern. Students, faculty, staff, and parents with questions or concerns during this closure should call the VSU Public Safety office at (229) 333-7816.

VSU is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service-certified StormReady Campus. This means that VSU has the communication and safety tools necessary to help save lives during hazardous weather conditions. Nationally, only 5.6 percent of four-year degree-granting institutions of higher education hold this designation. “

– Dr. Carvajal

See more regarding VSU campus closure. For more news, look here.

Story by Seth Willard. Photos by the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.