The College of Charleston School of Business and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to provide pro bono consultations to Charleston-area businesses affected by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in a new initiative called Profs on Call.

Profs on Call aims to help business owners and their management staff navigate this unprecedented time by matching College of Charleston School of Business faculty with members of the business community for 15-to-20-minute consulting appointments. These conversations aim to address each business’s most critical needs — all at no charge.

At this time, more than 20 professors have signed on to the program with areas of expertise ranging from digital communication security to small business financing and taxation.

“I believe one of our greatest responsibilities as a business school is to support the business community,” said Alan T. Shao, dean of the College’s School of Business. “As many of our local businesses face uncertain futures for their business operations, we want to assist by connecting them with our business experts and tools that will help them navigate this difficult period.”

The School of Business is nationally ranked. It has several Centers of Excellence and initiatives that support specific industries, conduct research and help to strengthen ties with the local, national and global business community.

“Profs on Call clearly demonstrates the community’s commitment to support each other during this unprecedented time,” said Bryan Derreberry, Charleston Metro Chamber president and CEO. “We are extremely grateful to the College of Charleston School of Business and their faculty for quickly responding to our business community’s needs.”

The Chamber continues to support its 1,700-member organization — as well as the thousands of other Lowcountry businesses — throughout this challenging time by providing additional resources (including local, state and federal guides) ­that can be found at www.charlestonchamber.org/coronavirus-guide.

For more information about Profs on Call or to set up an appointment, please visit www.charlestonchamber.org/profsoncall.