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• Classes are canceled Monday through Wednesday 
• Blood drive set for today, Sept. 30 & Tuesday, Oct. 1 
• Supply collection goes throughout week 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, East Tennessee State University is canceling classes today,  Sept. 30, through Wednesday, Oct. 2. All other university services and facilities will operate on their regular schedules in order to continue providing support to students, employees and the community. However, in an announcement to campus, the university stressed that employees who are not able to come to work because they are supporting loved ones or dealing with personal issues will not be penalized or required to utilize leave hours.  

“We want to offer our students and employees maximum flexibility during this difficult time,” ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland said. “We recognize that many are experiencing unimaginable losses and responding to devastating events. We also know that our campus can be a resource for those in need, so we will attempt to keep campus services and facilities in full operation as much as possible. We appreciate those who can pitch in to help cover shifts and assist with relief efforts as we all work to support one another and the region.”  

ETSU is serving as a collection site for flood buckets and hygiene kits and hosting a community blood drive in partnership with Marsh Regional Blood Center. The relief efforts are being led by the ETSU Student Government Association, working closely with the ETSU Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement and other campus partners. 

The blood drive will be held today, Sept. 30, and Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Culp Ballroom, located on the third floor of ETSU’s D.P. Culp Student Center. During those hours, there will also be a station set up to write letters of love to those affected and to first responders.  

The collection site for flood buckets and hygiene kits will also be on the third floor of the Culp Center and open throughout the week for donations. Donations will also be collected at the ETSU Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, at a designated tent in the tailgate area from 1 p.m. until kickoff. 

Flood buckets consist of 5-gallon round buckets with resealable lids that are filled with cleaning supplies such as clothespins, clotheslines, health-duty trash bags, N-95 masks, kitchen and work gloves, laundry detergent (32-64 oz.), household cleaner (16-40 oz.), dish soap (16-34 oz.), air fresheners (4-8 oz.), insect repellant, scrub brushes, reusable cleaning wipes and scouring pads. 

The hygiene kits will include hand towels (no kitchen or microfiber), washcloths (same restrictions), sturdy combs with 4-7 inches of teeth (no pocket combs or picks), nail clippers (no nail files or emery boards, soap (no Ivory or Jergens and keep in packaging), toothbrushes (keep in packaging), bandages and one-gallon reusable bags. 

Any donations of these items are appreciated for creating flood buckets and hygiene kits for those in critical need following the storm.  

For ongoing updates and ways to help, visit etsu.edu/response. Other opportunities to serve, including information about ETSU’s expanded Stuff the Bus efforts, can be found at ETSU Serves.