Dear Students,

I write to you to follow up on my email of Jan. 25 related to weather conditions and class instruction on Jan. 26. 

Based on assessments of local roads and sidewalks by the Sewanee Police Department (SPD) and Facilities Management, the administrators who comprise the Emergency Management Executive Team have determined that the University will hold classes on Zoom on Monday, Jan. 26.

With temperatures remaining very cold today, we will continue to monitor streets and sidewalks for icy conditions. The police and Provost will notify the University community by the end of the day on Jan. 26 for plans for instruction on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Depending on weather conditions and staffing levels, some University operations may be affected in the coming days:

  • Food service through Sewanee Dining will continue this week, though dining options may be limited due to disruptions to staffing.

  • The duPont Library intends to maintain regular hours this week, and the 24/7 section of the library will be available for use by students and employees. 

  • University Health Services (UHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will be available for telehealth appointments only. Call 931.598.1270 to schedule an appointment. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or go to Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas-Sewanee (1260 University Ave.).

  • The Fowler Center and FitWell will be closed today and will communicate any disruption of their future services.

  • Work-study students should check with their supervisors to determine whether students should report to work.

Due to expected very cold temperatures during the week, Residential Life encourages students to take the following precautions during winter weather. Students should dress appropriately for cold temperatures (e.g., layers, winter coats, hats, gloves, and shoes with traction). Please ensure that all windows in residence hall rooms are closed to help prevent pipes from freezing. Please do not prop doors open.

To reduce the risk of property damage from falling ice, students should avoid parking vehicles near residence hall buildings and should not use University-provided furniture, equipment, or other items for winter weather activities. Keep your electronic devices charged.

In the event of an extended power outage, McClurg Dining Hall will be open as a warming and shelter location for students. During any outage, students are encouraged to limit the number of times they scan into buildings using key access to conserve battery power. Proctors will remain on call for lockouts and residential concerns, though response times may be delayed due to weather conditions. The proctor on-call can be reached at 931.636.3271.

For additional winter weather safety information, please visit the University’s Winter Weather Safety page. 

Thank you for your attention to this message. Please pay attention to your personal safety today.

Sincerely,
Scott Wilson