Staff report

Note: This 10 a.m. Saturday update from Catawba College comes from Tonia Black-Gold, communications director.

As the remnants of what was Hurricane Florence continue to move inland, Catawba College officials are waiting to see what effects the forecast high winds and heavy rains will bring to the campus. Catawba College will be closed and all day and evening classes will be cancelled on Monday, September 17.

Catawba’s Emergency Response Group met again this morning to share campus updates and finalize preparations, and will continue daily meetings through the storm’s duration.

Those residential students who remain on campus have access to food service, public safety, and essential personnel. Staff members in Student Affairs, Public Safety, Facilities, and Information Technology will be available through the weather event.

The personal safety of Catawba’s students, faculty and staff continues to be of upmost concern to college administrators, and members of the campus community are encouraged to use their best judgment to assure their well-being during the storm.

Residential students on campus during the storm are encouraged to limit their time outdoors to travel between their residence hall and the Cannon Student Center, where dining facilities are located. If the campus loses power, a daily curfew of 8 p.m. will be in place for residential students who remain in their residence halls.

Frock Athletic Fields and the Catawba Ecological Preserve remain closed until after the effects of Hurricane Florence subside. The parking lot adjacent to Newman Park and Shuford Stadium is also closed.

Residential students who remain on campus may move their vehicles to any faculty/staff parking areas on campus, including the Chapel Circle (which has the least amount of trees), through 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Members of the campus community should anticipate notifications by a CatawbAlert or can monitor the college website at www.catawba.edu and the college’s social media platforms for the latest updates.

And a reminder, that Catawba has about 150 students whose families live in the counties of N.C. and S.C. and who are being directly impacted by the effects of Hurricane Florence. “The campus community is thinking of you and your loved ones and holding you in our hearts and prayers.

“If you are a student who needs administrative or counseling support in the days ahead, please reach out to your resident assistant if you live on campus, or call Catawba’s Public Safety at 704-637-4000 or 704-202-1734 to access on-call staff.”