Campus community,
A significant winter storm is in the forecast for our area, and Longwood has been meeting and preparing for the storm all week. I thought I’d touch base with some information for you to remember as the snow begins on Saturday. There is a Q&A that can be found here that may be helpful as well.
Dining
During winter weather events when classes are delayed or canceled, Dorrill Dining Hall operates on a weekend schedule (brunch and dinner). Changes to scheduled hours will be announced.
Power
In the event that campus residence halls lose power, generators will keep fire alarm systems and exit light systems on. We will work with the power company on an estimated time for power restoration and stay in communication with the campus community. We also have a liberal guest policy so that students can stay with friends in the event of a power outage.
School closings/delays/opening
Unless you are notified by text or email, the university is open and classes will take place. Decisions on the operating status of the university are made and communicated the day before. If the university does close, essential personnel will report to work and have the campus running as fully as possible, and open hours for buildings like Upchurch, D-Hall, Greenwood Library, N.H. Scott Center at Lankford, etc. will be communicated in the closing email. If in-person classes are canceled, faculty have the ability to hold classes via Zoom or schedule assignments to be completed. It is the student’s responsibility to check for communications from faculty on assignments or remote class meetings.
With the amount of snow in this forecast and the predicted temperatures headed into next week, we expect that classes will be held while there is snow on the ground. Please keep this in mind if you are thinking about traveling this weekend. Our grounds team puts in a lot of hours and works very hard to clear walkways on campus for students, and if you are able to move safely to and from classes, that will be factored into decision-making discussions. Remember, we are primarily a residential academic community, which is different from local K-12 school systems that rely on buses and drivers to get people to school. Even when the in-person classes are canceled, there are a lot of staff members who come to campus to open these buildings and clear walkways, so please remember that a simple “thank you” goes a long way.
Commuter students
If you are a commuter student and in-person classes are being held, but you do not believe you can get safely to campus, please communicate with your faculty individually as soon as possible to explain your situation. Follow specific guidance from your professors.
Thank you,
Matthew McWilliams
University Spokesperson and Deputy to the President
