College of Charleston Will Host Unplug Week
The Charleston campus will host a series of tech-free activities and events from September 28 through October 3.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Lecture and Seminars
Live Poll
Do you plan to intentionally spend less time on your personal devices this week?
Beginning September 28, 2026, the College of Charleston will hold its biannual Unplug Week to encourage intentional technology use. The weeklong initiative runs through October 3, 2026.
Why it matters
The program aims to foster deeper connection, creativity, and movement by creating space for campus members to disconnect from devices. Organizers hope to encourage the community to prioritize in-person interaction over digital consumption.
The weeklong event series includes outdoor programs, meditation sessions, and cooking classes, alongside device-free meeting mandates for faculty. The schedule concludes on October 3, 2026.
The players
College of Charleston
This public university located in Charleston, S.C., frequently hosts community-facing events and student wellness initiatives.
Sara Robin
She is a filmmaker whose documentary work explores the complexities of the modern attention economy.
The Civility Initiative
This organization works within the campus community to promote constructive dialogue and intentional engagement.
The details
The College of Charleston is hosting a variety of tech-free and tech-light events, including game nights and improv sessions, to help participants disengage from the attention economy. Filmmaker Sara Robin will host a public screening of her documentary, Your Attention Please, followed by a Q&A session co-sponsored by the Civility Initiative.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: Unplug Week activities begin.
October 3, 2026: Unplug Week activities conclude.
Industry Dynamics
This initiative reflects a broader movement within academic institutions to counter the rising influence of the digital attention economy on student focus. It aligns with growing cultural efforts to prioritize physical connection and cognitive breaks from device-based entertainment.
Members of the Charleston public can attend the documentary screening and Q&A session at no additional barrier beyond the scheduled event time. Faculty and staff should plan for potential changes to meeting structures during this six-day period.
The takeaway
Participants can maximize the benefit of the week by selecting one specific daily habit to replace with in-person activities like improv or meditation. Setting clear boundaries during device-free meetings can help maintain the momentum of the event beyond the official conclusion date.
Further reading
Explore more programs and academic discussions at the Charleston Lecture and Seminars section.
Live Poll
Do you plan to intentionally spend less time on your personal devices this week?
