On January 22, Assistant Provost Martin McFarlane sent the following message to international student and scholars regarding weather safety:
International Student and Scholar Services is writing to share important safety tips for the incoming winter storm.
Bitterly cold temperatures are expected to affect the Midwest beginning tomorrow, Friday 23, and extending through Saturday, January 24. On campus and in the surrounding community, wind chills around -20F/-29C are expected which can cause frostbite to exposed skin in under 30 minutes. These temperatures are dangerous to everyone, however international students and scholars who have recently arrived on campus and may not have experienced wind chills of this nature are particularly at risk. Regardless of how experienced you are with cold temperatures, please take extra precaution and care as you attend class, study, and rest this week.
We encourage everyone to review the McKinley Health Center's guide on avoiding frostbite during the extreme cold. Key tips include:
- Wear multiple layers of thermal and insulating fabric that contains body head. Finish your layers with a heavy coat, hat, gloves, and a scarf. Insulated boots are recommended, but any footwear that keeps your feet warm and dry is key.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the cold. Areas most affected by frostbite are your hands, feet, ears, nose and face, in that order. Protect your exposed skin as much as possible.
- Stay informed of the temperature using the Central Illinois National Weather Service webpage and make plans to grocery shop, travel or go outside during higher temperature periods.
For the health and safety of our staff, ISSS will be closed to in-person services on Friday January 23. Remote services will continue to be available via phone (217-333-1303), e-mail (isss@illinois.edu), and video conferencing. In person services will resume on Monday January 26.