Contact: Sid Salter

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s Starkville campus will remain closed Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, due to state travel warnings. Severe winter weather conditions and long periods of sub-freezing temperatures in Central and North Mississippi have made driving conditions extremely dangerous, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.

Monitor www.meridian.msstate.edu for the status of the MSU Meridian campus, which was closed Tuesday afternoon. A decision about Wednesday operations on the Meridian campus will be made tonight. Classes at the MSU-Gulf Coast Community College campus in Gautier are cancelled today and tonight. Follow www.mgccc.edu for updates.

“Black ice” on road and bridge surfaces that are unlikely to melt because of protracted hours of sub-freezing temperatures are the primary concern. Students, faculty and non-essential staff are urged not to attempt to drive in these conditions. Mississippi State’s Wednesday classes, day and evening, are being cancelled for the Starkville campus.

Non-essential employees should not report to work. Faculty, staff and students are urged to use caution to ensure personal safety. At this point, the university expects to reopen Thursday morning, Jan. 18, for normal operations. Students, faculty and staff who live in areas where driving may remain hazardous are urged to make wise travel decisions and the university will work with impacted stakeholders on a case-by-case basis for Thursday absences from class or work.

Monitor the MSU website and social media for updates. Monitor local news outlets for changing conditions and advisories. Starkville campus residence halls remain open.

The Student Health Center will be open Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to treat ill students.

For students and staff on campus, Perry Cafeteria will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fresh Food Co. will be open from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. Burger King will be open from 5 p.m. until midnight. Subway will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Moe’s will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. PODs in Hathorn and Dogwood will be open from 9 a.m. until midnight. Other MSU dining facilities will be closed, including those in the Colvard Student Union Food Court.

Mitchell Memorial Library will be closed Wednesday. Sanderson Center will be open Wednesday from noon until 4:30 p.m. Students are urged to use caution as they move around campus. Sidewalks and outside stairs will be extremely slippery and most likely covered with ice in some areas.

MSU Athletics will hold the MSU Men’s Basketball game on Tuesday at 6 p.m., but the university urges safety and caution for any travel to campus for any purpose. State officials have advised against such travel.

Media inquiries should be directed to Sid Salter, MSU Chief Communications Officer, at 601-507-8004 or ss51@msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.