Emergency Updates

Dear Campus Community:

The hourly weather forecast calls for a better day tomorrow than today, with gradually diminishing winds overnight, and gradually increasing temperatures throughout the day.The temperature will start to climb above zero as of 11:00 a.m. Therefore, the college will resume full normal operations tomorrow (Thursday, January 31). All classes, co-curricular activities, and athletic practices will take place as scheduled.

It is expected to be a sunny day, however, don’t let that fool you – it will remain very cold. Please continue to exercise the recommended precautions when going outside such as dressing in layers of clothing and wearing a hat covering your head and ears, warm gloves or mittens, a scarf covering your face and neck, thick socks, and warm shoes or boots – even if you only plan to be outside for a short time. Managers will continue to make adjustments for staff working in particular areas of the college (post office/mail room, grounds, facilities) to limit the amount of time spent outside.

Have a good evening.

On behalf of the Emergency Steering Committee,

Angela Johnston
Chief of Staff and Secretary of the College

Dear Campus Community:

Extremely cold weather will move into the Wooster area tonight, and the National Weather Service is forecasting daytime temperatures tomorrow between -3 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit, and wind chills of -25 to -30. In these weather conditions, exposed skin can begin to show signs of frostbite in as little as 10 to 15 minutes outside.

To reduce the amount that students have to move around campus under these conditions, the college, like nearly all of our peers in the region, is cancelling all classes on Wednesday, January 30. All co-curricular activities and athletic practices are also cancelled.

There is no snow in the forecast, either overnight or during the day tomorrow, and local authorities have issued no travel advisories. College offices will be open for business as usual, and staff who wish to remain home on Wednesday may take a vacation day to do so. Those who choose to do so must communicate in advance with their supervisor.

Other details as follows:

• Academic buildings, including the libraries, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Lowry Center will be open as usual from 7 a.m. to midnight.
• Lowry Dining will be open as usual from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Mom’s will close at midnight instead of 2 a.m.
• Knowlton Café, Old Main Café, and Pop’s will be closed.
• The C-Store will be open as usual.
• The Scot Center will be open as usual.

On behalf of the Emergency Steering Committee,

WOOSTER, Ohio, Oct. 7, 2018 – The College of Wooster is testing its communication protocols today, as part of a larger emergency response exercise being conducted on campus in partnership with City of Wooster first responders.

The test involves multiple communication channels, including email, website, social media, and a dedicated telephone information line, all of which would be deployed in an actual emergency.

The college’s emergency response team meets regularly to plan and train for a variety of possible scenarios.

This blog is one of the communication tools that the college uses to provide information and updates to the campus community in the event of an emergency. News posted here will also be shared on the college’s main Facebook and Twitter accounts.

In situations where there is an immediate threat to life and safety, the Blackboard Connect emergency notification system will be used to send text, voice, and email alerts to all students, faculty, and staff.