Contact: Sid Salter

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University (all campuses) will close Tuesday, Jan. 29 due to an abundance of caution over predicted winter weather. Severe winter weather conditions are predicted in Central and North Mississippi that are expected to make driving conditions extremely dangerous.

Monitor www.msstate.edu and www.meridian.msstate.edu for updates and specific instructions for Wednesday, Jan. 30 status and schedules.

The National Weather Service is predicting snow accumulations on road and bridge surfaces that are unlikely to melt because of protracted hours of sub-freezing temperatures. Students, faculty and non-essential staff are urged not to attempt to drive in these conditions. Mississippi State’s Tuesday classes, day and evening, are being canceled for all campuses.

Non-essential employees should not report to work. Faculty, staff and students are urged to use caution to ensure personal safety. Essential personnel required to work during the closing will be notified by their supervisor. The university will make an announcement Tuesday by 6 p.m. about the status of the institution for Wednesday, Jan. 30. Monitor the MSU website and social media for updates. Monitor local news outlets for changing conditions and advisories. Starkville Campus residence halls remain open.

For students and staff on the Starkville Campus, Marketplace at Perry Cafeteria will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fresh Food Company will open from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. Dogwood Provisions on Demand (POD) will open from noon until 10 p.m., and Hathorn Hall’s POD will open from noon until 6 p.m. Other MSU dining facilities will be closed, including those in the Colvard Student Union Food Court.

Mitchell Memorial Library will close Monday night at midnight and will remain closed Tuesday. Sanderson Center will be open Tuesday at 8 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. All intramural sports activities are canceled for Tuesday. Barnes and Noble will open at 10 a.m.

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

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 consult with Southeastern Conference officials regarding scheduled sporting events. Follow hailstate.com and monitor HailState social media for updates, but at the present time the Men’s Basketball game on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Alabama is expected to be played if game officials are able to travel to Tuscaloosa.

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.