This story was written by Quintin Ellison, originally published in The Sylva Herald.
You might want to go ahead and pump some fuel into the car and get your big-box store and grocery shopping done.
Along with an expected flood of eclipse visitors into the area, about 2,000 Western Carolina University freshmen move into residential halls Friday, with thousands more students arriving through the weekend.
Last year, 1,913 first-time, full-time students enrolled, making the Class of 2020 the largest incoming class in WCU history. “This fall should break that record, with total first-year enrollment likely to approach or exceed 2,000 when final numbers are tallied,” Phil Cauley, WCU assistant vice chancellor for undergraduate enrollment, said.
The university’s total enrollment appears destined to eclipse 11,000, surpassing last fall’s record enrollment of 10,806, he said.
The total solar eclipse takes place Monday afternoon – the first day of classes for WCU students. Jackson County Schools were set to open then, too, but administrators decided to postpone by one day the return of K-12 students.
WCU has canceled classes between 1-3 p.m. Monday to allow students and faculty to witness the eclipse. Music, food and panel discussions for students will take place on the University Center lawn and Central Plaza fountain area.
University police and safety officials have cautioned commuting students, faculty and staff to anticipate the possibility of heavy traffic before and after the eclipse, and to plan accordingly.
Every hotel and motel room in Jackson County is booked, according to the Jackson County Tourism and Development Authority.
“We are encouraging friends and family who are helping students move into campus residence halls to get to Cullowhee, get their students settled in and then head back home,” Melissa Wargo, WCU chief of staff, said.
