The normally calm Cullowhee Creek was flooding, taking out bridges and paths during the rain from Hurricane Helene. Since then, waters have receded but WCU public safety in an email warned that even though waters are receding riverbanks and other areas near water are still soft and can collapse.
Western Carolina University is now operating under Condition Level 3 (Closed), as defined in the Adverse Weather Policy. Conditions on campus are far better than in surrounding communities.
The campus has power, clean water, and internet. Students can continue to make landline calls from the University Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Friday. University officials are asking students to remain on campus because of the road closures and gas shortages. Also, they are asking parents not to come to campus. Routes to campus can be 1 to 2 hours longer than normal due to road closures. The region is still in rescue and recovery so the officials are asking for the roads to be open for the emergency teams.
Internet availability in the county is still spotty but improving so we hope the communication will be normal and easy in the coming days.
The vice chancellor for student affairs, Sam Miller said that they estimate around 2700 students are on campus from the card swipes and meal plan usage. Chancellor Brown, Provost Starnes, Miller, and Dean of Students Betsy Aspinwell hosted a town-hall style Q&A on Tuesday to answer student questions.
Betsy Aspinwell mentioned in the Q&A that if students cannot afford to eat, they should go to the Catamount Cafe and give the workers their 920 identification number to receive meal credits.
Classes in-person and online are canceled until Oct. 4 and due dates on all assignments have been canceled. Faculty will issue instructions about the missed work and assignments when the university resume normal operations.
All WCU non-mandatory offices and services are closed.
There are limited dining services on campus and more are opening daily. Students were very happy when Starbuck’s opened on Sunday, Sept. 30. On Wednesday everything in the Courtyard Dining Hall was open. Check out WCU emergency information website for all the latest updates.
Hunter Library will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offering limited services.
A temporary IT station has been set up in the downstairs of Courtyard Dining hall.
Saturday’s football game against Worrford is confirmed, but there will be no spectators in the stands.
In an email message to faculty and staff Provost Richard Starnes from Sept. 30 said that the university continues to evaluate conditions in Cullowhee, Asheville, and the region as they consider when and how to restart instruction. “No decisions, beyond the suspension of classes I mentioned, have been made. We will communicate any changes as soon as possible,” Starnes said in an email. Starnes later mentioned in the Q&A that the decisions for next week will be made by Friday.
WCU Dean of Students has an emergency student fund that could assist students in need of financial assistance to cover unexpected costs or emergencies. Students need to contact the dean of students, Betsy Aspinwall, or talk to any of your professors or deans for assistance in getting funding. We will keep updating this information so be sure to follow us or listen to WWCU radio station at 93.5 FM.
The university is also providing information if you want to help. Here is a link to donate money to the Student emergency fund as well as donating to help the local and regional community. Jackson County si accepting volunteers with this sign-up sheet. Devastation in Buncombe and Haywood are more extensive and still being assessed as well as in Jackson County.
A volunteer station has been set up at 115 Glance St. in Clyde, North Carolina to assist in clean-up from Hurricane Helene. Donations of water, cleaning supplies, diapers, non-perishable food, hygiene products, and dog/cat food are accepted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 198 WBI Drive in Sylva.
Donations will be distributed from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 86 Mark Watson Park in Sylva and at Cashiers Baptist Church at 213 US-64 Cashiers, North Carolina.
WCU Director of Emergency Services, Shane Stovall, said that during the storm WCU personnel assisted in evacuation of students in Bellamy Apartments because of the potential for flooding.
During the storm WCU because of the flooding of the Cullowhee Creek closed the parking lots across from Ramsey, Camp building, the Walker/Freshman lot. Areas near Bardo Center and Ramsey Stadium were flooded.
The university canceled Mountain Heritage Day and the Old Crow Medicine Show concert was postponed until spring.
