Delta State University announces weather-related class and campus schedule adjustments
CLEVELAND, Miss. — Due to an impending winter storm predicted to impact the Mississippi Delta beginning Friday, January 23, Delta State University is implementing adjustments to classes and campus operations out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of the campus community.
All Delta State classes scheduled after 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, will transition to online instruction. All labs and classes with clinical rotations will be rescheduled to an asynchronous online format. Faculty should communicate with students regarding course expectations through Canvas. Students who experience connectivity or power issues will not be penalized but should contact their instructor as soon as possible.
The Delta State University campus will be closed on Friday, January 23. Essential, critical services will continue to operate during the closure.
Residential students: All residential students who are able and have a reliable place to stay with family or trusted friends are strongly encouraged to leave campus during this time. Leaving campus helps reduce risk and eases strain on essential services, allowing our staff and emergency personnel to focus on the students who must remain. If you are able, please consider bringing along a friend who may not have a safe or reliable place to go during this time. Please take any necessary personal items, medications, chargers, and academic materials with you. While University staff will be reaching out to residents to confirm plans, we are asking residents to please call, text, or email your Hall Director or RA before departing. Students who are unable to leave campus will be supported, and additional guidance for those remaining in the residence halls will be shared.
Before leaving campus on Thursday, employees are asked to lock offices and buildings upon departure. Facilities Management team members have begun distributing ice melt at building entrances and taking additional steps to prepare campus facilities for prolonged freezing temperatures. During campus closures, buildings should remain locked at all times. Anyone needing access to a campus building should contact the Delta State University Police Department at 662-846-4155.
Decisions regarding scheduled athletic events will be posted on the Delta State Athletics website (www.gostatesmen.com) and through official social media channels. For the status of other scheduled university events, individuals should contact the event sponsor directly.
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to ensure they are signed up to receive emergency notifications through the Okra Alert system. To register a cell phone number:
- Log in to your DSU Online Services account: http://www.deltastate.edu/portal
- Select Personal Information and add your cell phone number to the emergency text messaging field.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Jackson is predicting a significant winter weather event for the region, with freezing temperatures, mixed precipitation, and hazardous travel conditions possible. Forecasts indicate that temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing until at least Tuesday afternoon, making road conditions – particularly bridges and overpasses – potentially slick and dangerous.
University leadership will meet over the weekend to assess conditions and plan for Monday, January 26, and beyond. Because the situation remains fluid, the university will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will provide additional updates as new information becomes available.
Updates and notifications regarding campus status will be available at www.deltastate.edu, on the university’s Facebook page (facebook.com/deltastateuniversity), and through the Okra Alert Emergency System.
Delta State University will continue to prioritize the safety of its campus community and appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation as weather conditions evolve.
