The College of Charleston emergency management team is closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Dorian. At this time, the College plans to remain on its normal operating schedule. If anything changes, the College will provide updates through the Cougar Alert system, the College’s LiveSafe app, and emergency.cofc.edu. All students, employees, families, and guests of the College should be sure to sign-up for or reference one of these emergency information platforms.

Hurricane Preparedness

Throughout hurricane season, we’d like to remind students about the College’s protocols should a voluntary or mandatory evacuation be ordered due to the threat of a storm. Read the student guide to hurricane preparedness.

Also, the City of Charleston tracks road closures and traffic impacts at https://gis.charleston-sc.gov/road-closures. 

Faculty are reminded to please prepare for the possibility of future closure. In consultation with your chair and department colleagues, please devise a course-appropriate plan to allow students to continue their forward progress in your course in the event the College is closed, and as you finalize your syllabus, please include reference to this plan in your syllabus. How you accomplish this will vary depending on the nature of your course(s). Your syllabus, contact information, and basic courses materials should be available to students in OAKS. Please see the email announcement (August 14, 2018) for additional information on OAKS support and sample syllabus statements related to campus closures. If the College decides on a plan for make-up class days, you will be informed as soon as feasible.

Download the LiveSafe App

LiveSafe is a nationally-recognized mobile app used at universities nationwide, designed to offer direct connectivity with emergency dispatchers from users’ cell phones. Just download “LiveSafe” for free to your iPhone or Android, sign up with your school email address, and connect the app with “College of Charleston.”

The app acts as a “mobile blue light,” integrating GPS location information when users contact the emergency dispatch center through the app. CougarAlert messages will be delivered in the LiveSafe app and through the existing CougarAlert text/call/email system. The app also features a function called “SafeWalk” that permits users to virtually share their location with friends as they walk to a destination. App users may also send tips regarding crimes in progress or potentially unsafe situations through the app, and can attach photo and video to provide emergency personnel with further information. Read more at https://today.cofc.edu/2019/08/22/cofc-adopts-livesafe-app-to-enhance-student-safety.

How Do I Download LiveSafe?

1. Download
   Search for and download “LiveSafe” from Apple or Google Play app stores.  Open LiveSafe on your device.
2. Sign Up and Verify Your Account
   Register using your mobile phone number or tap “use email” to sign up with your email instead.  Follow the verification instructions (either via SMS text if registering with your phone number or via email if using your email account).  Once verified, fill out your profile and create a password.  Tap “next.”
3. Select Your Organization
   Your organization should appear at the top of the list if it is nearby.  Otherwise, search for “College of Charleston” and select it.  You’ll know you are in the right place when you see our CofC organization’s logo at the top. When prompted, enable push notifications and location services to receive full benefits of the LiveSafe app.  You’re set!