Hurricane, September 26, 2024

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10:24 p.m. The Savannah State University (SSU) administrators are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Helene and severe weather alerts to assess the potential impact on the Savannah area. Therefore, all classes will be shifted online for Thursday, September 26, 2024, beginning at 12:30 p.m. in an asynchronous style learning environment. Tomorrow, we will provide updates regarding the Friday, September 27th schedule. SSU professors will provide details and instructions for all students through email and Brightspace/D2L accounts. Essential personnel, including staff from the Department of Public Safety and Campus Police, Facilities, Information Technology, as well as select Student Affairs team members, are expected to report to work in person. All other employees should plan to report to work in person and shift to working remotely at 12:30 p.m. Additionally, please follow us on social media for updates. We will keep you updated through campus email and postings to the SSU Social Media sites if there are any further modifications to classes and/or University operations. Thank you for your continued support. Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander

We want to keep you informed as we continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Helene and its impact on the Savannah area. The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff are our utmost priority. As a precaution, Savannah State University will continue classes and university operations remotely on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. This will ensure continuity of learning and service to our students without compromising safety. The storm is expected to subside Friday afternoon and all weekend events are expected to be held as planned. Professors will communicate any necessary updates and instructions to all students through email and Brightspace/D2L accounts. Essential personnel, including staff from the Department of Public Safety and Campus Police, Facilities, Information Technology, and key Student Affairs team members, are expected to report to work in person. We will provide ongoing updates through campus email and our SSU Social Media sites regarding any further changes to classes or University operations. Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this time. Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander

Sunday, Sept. 29, 5:10 p.m. Greetings Campus Community! On behalf of the entire Savannah State University family, I want to thank our students for their incredible patience, community spirit and heart shown to one another and our staff. We have worked together to provide the highest level of comfort, care, food service and support during this unprecedented storm and recovery period. Our number one priority has been and continues to be to ensure safety for everyone within the confines of limited power. At this time the campus and the surrounding areas are still without power. Despite these circumstances our staff and Aladdin food service teams continue to operate in the Student Union on an emergency generator. Students are provided meals throughout the day and into the evening hours as well as access to charging stations to support electronic devices. Internet access and charging capabilities are also available in the Hubbert D building on campus The Savannah State leadership team, staff and faculty are grateful for the many calls of support, encouragement and prayers that we continue to receive. Our amazing staff and faculty have served the campus community with grace and true “Tiger Spirit” even as they are trying to manage without power and resources at their homes. We have approximately 1,320 students on campus. We seek your prayers for our students and staff who have not been able to reach their loved ones in other highly impacted storm areas such as Augusta and Valdosta. The Student Affairs team will be available in the Student Union today, Sunday, September 29th from 3:00 – 8:00 pm., with information on how students with families in affected areas can access updates. Likewise, we extend heartfelt concern to the many other USG institutions and students who are also managing the aftermath of this storm. I am in constant contact with Georgia Power as they work to restore power on campus in the immediate surrounding community. In addition, the Water Utility Management issued boil water advisories for several counties listed here https://www.wtoc.com/2024/09/29/water-utility-management-issues-boil-water-advisories-several-coastal-empire-counties/ . All classes are cancelled for Monday, September 30th and Tuesday, October 1st. We are cautiously optimistic that SSU campus will have power soon. Therefore, at the earliest we anticipate that classes and campus operation will resume on Wednesday, October 2nd. More information will be forthcoming as power is restored. Additionally, academic affairs will provide updates regarding the rescheduling of mid-term exams, grades and the withdrawal deadline. Should you have any additional questions regarding operations during this period please refer to SSU website and social media channels. We have fared incredibly well with no personal injuries, damage to facilities, or flooding. Thank you for your support, commitment and care for our entire SSU community. Yours with Tiger resilience, Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D.