West Virginia University (WVU) is taking precautions due to Winter Storm Fern. For Monday, January 26, all in-person classes are canceled, and most campus operations will close. Employees able to work remotely will maintain their usual schedules but should avoid campus travel.
Essential staff not yet notified should connect with their supervisors to check if they need to be on-site. Online classes will continue as scheduled.
This closure aligns with advice from local emergency officials, who are urging everyone to stay off the roads as conditions are expected to worsen with further snowfall and lower temperatures. Chief Sherry St. Clair of University Police warns that travel is dangerous and asks people to prioritize safety.
WVU Health Sciences personnel working in patient care or clinical rotations should confirm their schedules with deans or program directors, if they haven’t already. All WVU Dental clinics will be closed, and the parking shuttle service for Health Sciences employees will not run.
Snow removal efforts are in full swing, as crews work to keep the campus accessible. Charles “Chuck” Roberts, associate vice president for Facilities Operations, assured that the team is actively addressing snow accumulation. He reminds the community that snow management takes time and patience is appreciated.
Some dining facilities will have limited hours, while the WVU Visitors Center will be closed. Regular operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, January 27, at 12:01 a.m.
WVU is keeping a close watch on weather updates from the National Weather Service, assessing local conditions regularly. For any changes, the university will keep everyone informed through various communication channels, including email and social media.
This isn’t the first time weather has disrupted university operations. Historically, inclement weather has caused numerous closures in the past, reminding us that such actions are often necessary for public safety. Interestingly, surveys show that during severe weather events, a significant majority of students support these closures for their safety.
For ongoing updates, check the WVU Safety Notification System and follow relevant university social media accounts.
Stay safe and stay warm!
