Classes canceled because of area wildfires
Updated Thursday, Aug. 30, 10:50 a.m.: Chadron State College has canceled classes Thursday and Friday as a series of wildfires rage in northwest Nebraska.
Cancellations and Postponements
The campus will remain open, but CSC officials say the cancellation of classes will allow students who are planning to return home for the Labor Day weekend to leave early.
“The campus is in no imminent danger, but when we’re dealing with something as uncertain as wildfires we want to be extremely cautious,” said Dale Grant, CSC vice president for administration and finance.
Grant said students living in the residence halls are not required to leave. If students do leave, they are being asked ot check out at the front desk so residence life staff can monitor who is still on-campus.
“This is not an evacuation,” Grant said. “But, if students were planning to leave for the weekend, this will give them the opportunity to do so early.”
Because the campus is open, CSC employees will still report to work if possible. Most of the college's services, including the Student Center and cafeteria, are open.
Students enrolled in online courses are encouraged to contact their instructors if they are concerned about not meeting a deadline because of the fires.
U.S. Highway 385 south of Chadron has been closed, but remains open north of Chadron. U.S. Highway 20 east and west of town also is open. The fire most threatening to Chadron was burning in the Chadron State Park area Thursday morning. Many residents southwest of Chadron were evacuated from their homes during the night.
Although an evacuation did not appear likely Thursday morning, CSC official are preparing for the worst-case scenerio. In the case of an evacuation, alternative accommodations will be made for students living the residence halls, said Aaron Prestwich, CSC interim executive director of student life.
"If a student has no place to go, we certainly wouldn't send them away," Prestwich said.
CSC officials encourage students and employees to follow media reports and make safety a top priority as crews battle the fires. They also encourage students to ensure that their contact information on the MyCSC portal is up-to-date so they can receive emergency notifications from the institution.
Classes for Thursday and Friday
Community Choir Rehearsal
Social Work Club Meeting
School of Liberal Arts Faculty Meeting
POSTPONEMENTS
Club Fair, to a later date
Late Night at the Pit and deadline for Find the Flamingo Entries, to Thursday, Sept. 6
CLOSINGS
The Nelson Physical Activity Center is closing at 2:30 p.m. Thursday and will remain closed until Tuesday.
(Report cancellations and postponements to jhaag@csc.edu or 308-432-6213)
Category: Campus Announcements, Campus News