What to Know About Projections for Inclement Weather
During weather and other emergency events, parents and students may have questions about processes and protocols on campus. The FAQ below may help address some of those questions.
Once in a while, inclement weather will impact operations at USC Upstate. Here’s what to know if the forecast is causing questions:
USC Upstate will post its status (delayed openings or closures) on the home page of the university website, www.uscupstate.edu.
Per the Governor, USC Upstate follows Spartanburg County schedules, which may differ from local school districts. For information about conditions throughout the state, please visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
We encourage all faculty, staff and students to register for SpartAlert, if you haven’t already. Be sure to include your cell phone number so you are able to receive emergency messages via text.
If and when USC Upstate leadership makes a decision to curtail university activities, cancel classes or close, you will be notified immediately via email and/or text, and the university website will be updated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Preparation at USC Upstate
During weather and other emergency events, parents and students may have questions about processes and protocols on campus. This FAQ may help address some of those questions.
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The University will post official notices to the website, www.uscupstate.edu. Emergency management officials may use the SpartAlert system to send notifications via social media, text and email. Media outlets are usually notified as well. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to register for SpartAlert notifications.
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The University will post official notices to the website, www.uscupstate.edu. Emergency management officials may use the SpartAlert system to send notifications via social media, text and email. Media outlets are usually notified as well. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to register for SpartAlert notifications.
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A decision to evacuate campus is rare and always made in coordination with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. Updates regarding weather and other emergencies can be found on their website. Generally,USC Upstate follows closure decisions made by Spartanburg County offices (not local school districts). Note: Closures at USC Upstate do not follow those of USC in Columbia.
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Yes, residence halls were constructed to meet the highest building code standards and are safe in conditions that do not warrant evacuation. The university’s essential personnel, including police and housing staff, remain on campus under any conditions.
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If students are on campus, some food services remain operational. Schedules and formats may be adjusted to brunch/dinner offerings, for example.
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Cancellation of athletic events is made in conjunction with a decision to cancel classes or close the university. Game cancellations will be posted on the Athletics website, www.uscupstate.edu/athletics/.
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If the University remains open, faculty members will determine how they will manage absences. Students should monitor Blackboard for any messages from their instructors regarding their classes. Students should be aware of their professors’ policies around absences, usually stated in a syllabus, and alert faculty if they will miss class. If the university closes, classes will not meet and no absences will be recorded.
PROCEDURES
In case of inclement weather, decisions about canceling or delaying classes at the University of South Carolina Upstate will be made as early as possible and no later than 6 a.m. When possible, decisions will be made the night before. If Spartanburg County (not local school districts) closes or delays the opening of county offices, the University will follow Spartanburg County’s decision and close or delay opening the campus.
If classes are canceled on the Spartanburg campus, USC Upstate will NOT hold classes at the George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics or the Greenville campus. There may be times USC Upstate is open and the University Center Greenville is closed. Faculty, staff and students working or attending classes at the University Center Greenville should listen to the radio, watch local television, or go to the UCG Website for more information on the status of the University Center Greenville.
Unless changes are posted by the following means, assume that classes will meet as scheduled.
USC Upstate Website
Alerts will be displayed on the USC Upstate homepage during times of inclement weather with information regarding closings or delays.
Local Media Outlets
WSPA-TV7, WYFF-TV4, FOX21
Social Media
Information will be posted to USC Upstate’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Occasionally, media outlets will confuse the message provided by the University. For clarification, please consult the USC Upstate website. In times of inclement weather, students and employees are urged to use their best judgment to determine if traveling to campus will present a safety hazard.
Campus Schedule
Dining Services Schedule:
The hours of operation for Dining Services will be posted on the Dining Services website and Facebook Page.
Library Schedule:
The hours of operation for the Library will be posted on the Library website.
Wellness Center:
When the University is closed for inclement weather, the Wellness Center will be open from Noon to 6 p.m.
Building Access:
The doors closest to Highway 176 (the front of the campus) and accessible entrances on each building are usually the first cleared of snow and ice. Watch for signs directing you toward the safest entrance.
Definitions
- Classes Canceled: Students do not report for class with an indication for day and/or evening classes. Faculty, staff and students working or attending classes at the George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics and the Greenville campus will follow the same schedule as the USC Upstate campus (unless the University Center Greenville is closed). All classes with the exception of online classes are canceled. Employees are expected to report to work but may take annual leave, elect to take the day without pay, or make up the time missed within a specified time frame to be established by Human Resources in conjunction with Payroll.
- Classes Delayed: After the University opens, students should report to their next scheduled class.
- Nursing students: Clinical and laboratory experiences will be joined in progress after the opening of the University.
- Education students: School clinicals will follow the appropriate K-12 school schedules.
- Students enrolled in natural science laboratory classes should join their lab in progress if instructed by their professor after the opening of the University.
- USC Upstate Closed: Classes are canceled for students and employees do not report to work. Employees may elect to take annual leave, take the day without pay, or make up the time missed within a specified time frame to be established by Human Resources in conjunction with Payroll.
Additional Resources:
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division operates 24/7 during weather or other emergency events. Their website includes evacuation routes, official closings and a hurricane guide. www.scemd.org
Information is also available via mobile apps (Android & OS)
Mobile Apps for Emergencies
The State of South Carolina’s Toll-free Public Information Phone System (PIPS) provides accurate evacuation and shelter information to South Carolina residents and visitors. 1-866-246-0133.
The USC Upstate Department of Public Safety operates 24/7 and is in close communication with state and county emergency management officials. Emergency Information