Learn how to stay informed as Elon University officials actively monitor a Jan. 30-Feb. 1 forecast calling for the region's second major snowstorm in as many weekends.
FINAL UPDATE: Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 12:35 p.m.
Message from Vice President Jon Dooley to the Elon University community
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Elon University will resume regular university operations on Wednesday, February 4, and all in-person classes will be held on their regular schedule.
Facilities Management crews have made excellent progress on clearing the campus and the warmer temperatures this afternoon will help with getting the campus ready to resume in-person classes and regular operations Wednesday. With variable temperatures in the coming days that will result in re-freezing of melted precipitation, remain alert for ice on roadways, sidewalks, and elevated surfaces – especially late at night and in the mornings. Continued extra caution is advised.
The weather forecast currently calls for a period of light rain beginning Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday. Although it is possible that it could end as a period of light snow Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, minimal accumulation or impact are expected in our area.
Updated Drop/Add Deadline
With the disruptions to the first week of classes, the drop/add deadline for undergraduate full semester spring term classes will be moved to Thursday, February 5. Visit the Registrar’s website for additional information.
Parking Restrictions Through Wednesday Morning
Facilities Management continues to make progress on clearing campus parking lots. Students should continue to park only in the lot where your vehicle is assigned – no student parking in Faculty/Staff lots, even during evening hours. Beginning Wednesday morning parking will return to regular operations, but stay tuned for some parking adjustments to be communicated later this week as we prepare to welcome a large number of visitors to campus for Admissions Fellows Weekend.
A Note of Gratitude
This was a significant winter storm for our area. Please extend your appreciation to the staff from multiple units who provided outstanding service and support to continue essential campus operations throughout this weather event, including staff from: Campus Safety and Police, Facilities Management, Elon Dining, Campus Recreation, Moseley Center, Residence Life, Student Health Services, Belk Library, and Information Technology.
Best wishes as we move forward into a successful spring semester.
–
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life
MONDAY, FEB. 2, at 2:50 p.m.
Message from Vice President Jon Dooley to the Elon University community
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
- In-person meetings are canceled for undergraduate classes and labs Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
- Students should check with instructors for further information about alternative plans, which could include the option for online meetings during the scheduled class time, out-of-class activities, readings, or other assignments.
- Law and graduate program directors will communicate directly with students, faculty, and staff about class meetings for Law and graduate students, as well as facility operations for the Francis Center and the Greensboro and Charlotte campus locations.
- University offices are closed Tuesday, except as noted below.
- Essential/emergency personnel will be notified by your supervisor when to report to campus.
Out of an abundance of caution, we will have one more day of canceled in-person class meetings and office closures. Facilities Management crews have done incredible work cleaning up from what is considered a significant snowstorm for this area. Warmer temperatures this afternoon are helping with that effort, but there is still work to be done on some parts of campus. Overnight temperatures are expected to be in the teens again, so any precipitation remaining at sundown tonight will re-freeze. Caution is encouraged, especially on steps/stairs or elevated surfaces. Black ice will continue to be a problem on roadways overnight and into the morning. We are also aware that many employees are still digging out at home or waiting for roads to be treated in their neighborhood, given the significant nature of this storm.
Plans to Resume Regular Campus Operations on Wednesday, February 4
As we announce another day with no in-person class meetings or open offices, we are currently planning for university operations to resume on schedule Wednesday morning. We will make a final determination on Tuesday based on progress but want the university community to begin to plan.
Parking Restrictions for Monday and Tuesday
Thank you to those who carefully followed the parking restrictions in place since last Friday, which enabled Facilities Management to make progress on many campus parking lots. For Monday and Tuesday students should park only in the lot where your vehicle is assigned – no student parking in Faculty/Staff lots, even during evening hours.
Our next email communication is expected for Sunday afternoon, unless an earlier message is warranted. Updates are also available on the Today at Elon story about this winter storm, as well as university social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram.
SUNDAY, FEB. 1, at 2:20 p.m.
Message from Vice President Jon Dooley to the Elon University community
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
- In-person meetings are canceled for undergraduate and graduate classes and labs at the Elon, Greensboro, and Charlotte campus locations on Monday, February 2, 2026.
- Students should check with instructors for further information about alternative plans, which could include the option for online meetings during the scheduled class time, out-of-class activities, readings, or other assignments.
- Graduate program directors will communicate directly with students, faculty, and staff about class meetings and facility operations for the Francis Center and the Greensboro and Charlotte campus locations.
- University offices are closed Monday, except as noted below.
- Essential/emergency personnel will be notified by your supervisor when to report to campus.
Locations in our area received anywhere from 7-12” of snow in this storm. Facilities Management crews have been working throughout the day to clear sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways around campus and that work will continue today and tomorrow. Students are reminded that there will continue to be slippery spots on campus, so proper footwear and winter clothing are advised when walking around campus. Melting precipitation today, combined with another round of bitter cold temperatures overnight will lead to icy conditions tonight and into tomorrow. Black ice on roadways will be a concern this evening and tomorrow morning, so driving is discouraged.
Parking Restrictions Extended Through Tuesday Morning
So that Facilities Management can clear as much ice and snow as possible off parking lot surfaces, the parking restrictions announced Friday have been extended through at least Tuesday morning at 6 a.m.
No cars should be parked in the following lots today through Tuesday morning at 6 a.m.:
- Inman Admissions Lot
- Innovation Quad Lot
- Koury Athletic Center Lot
- Lindner Hall Lot
- McMichael Hall Lot
- Oaks Parking Lot – faculty/staff and visitor spaces must be cleared; Oaks residents with an OK tag can still park in the student spaces in the Oaks Lot
Additionally, students may only park their vehicles in the lots to which they are assigned. No student vehicles should be parked in Faculty/Staff lots at any time Sunday, February 1 through Tuesday, February 3.
Faculty and staff who may be coming to campus Monday, February 2, should not plan to park in Faculty/Staff lots. Essential personnel who normally park in those lots should consult with their supervisor or with Campus Safety and Police for guidance on parking locations.
Adjustments to Campus Safety and Services
Our next email communication is expected for Monday afternoon, unless an earlier message is warranted. Updates are also available on the Today at Elon story about this winter storm, as well as university social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram.
SATURDAY, JAN. 31, at 3:25 p.m.
Message from Vice President Jon Dooley to the Elon University community
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
The National Weather Service forecast for expected total accumulation has been reduced slightly to 3-7 inches of snow for the Triad area (including Elon and Greensboro), while Charlotte is still predicted to receive 6-10 inches of snow. The rate of snowfall is expected to increase this afternoon and continue into the late evening. This storm will produce higher amounts of snow in some locations, and gusty winds could still contribute to downed trees and power outages. Bitter cold temperatures are expected for tonight.
Facilities Management crews are out in force, working on keeping sidewalks and roadways as clear as possible. Caution is encouraged when walking around campus. Sturdy shoes/boots are recommended, and slippery spots should be expected. Roads are snow-covered and slippery – driving is discouraged this afternoon and evening. Review additional guidance in the university Emergency & Severe Weather Resources and “Power Outage Tips” in the campus Emergency Response Guide.
The Today at Elon story on adjustments to campus operations is being updated continuously as we become aware of any changes. As of Saturday afternoon, there are no changes to the hours of campus facilities and operations from what we published Friday afternoon. Belk Library, Campus Recreation, Elon Dining, and Moseley Center are all maintaining weekend hours throughout the storm.
The following updates have been made to campus events:
- The weekend performances of “Love & Information” at Scott Studios at Arts West have been canceled.
- Saturday night’s SUB Cinema screening of La La Land (2016) has been moved to the first floor of the Moseley Center at 7 p.m.
- The start time for the women’s basketball game against Towson on Sunday, February 1 has been moved to 3 p.m.
Our next email communication is expected for Sunday afternoon, unless an earlier message is warranted. Updates are also available on the Today at Elon story about this winter storm, as well as university social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram.
FRIDAY, JAN. 30, at 3:55 p.m.
Message from Vice President Jon Dooley to the Elon University community
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
This is our first afternoon update regarding plans for the impact of the winter weather expected this weekend. As of Friday at 3 p.m., the forecast for our region continues to call for snow beginning later this evening, continuing through Sunday morning, with total accumulations ranging from 4-8 inches with the possibility of localized amounts of 10+ inches. According to the National Weather Service, unlike last weekend, this storm will include wind gusts that are projected to result in scattered downed trees and power outages.
- Resources to Prepare for Winter Weather and Potential Power Outages
Students, faculty, and staff should make personal preparations now, including careful review of the university Emergency & Severe Weather Resources and “Power Outage Tips” in the campus Emergency Response Guide.
- Deteriorating Driving Conditions
With snow falling on top of any remaining ice, road conditions are expected to be hazardous for driving, and will deteriorate throughout the day Saturday. Students are advised to avoid driving when accessing campus services on Saturday – especially in the afternoon, into the evening and overnight.
- Essential Services and Updated University Operations
Many essential services will maintain operations throughout the weekend. A special Today at Elon story about adjustments to campus operations, linked here, includes the weekend hours for Belk Library, Campus Recreation, Elon Dining, Elon Express Shuttles, Moseley Center and Mail Services, and Student Health Services.
As a residential campus, there will be some activities that may continue on campus, while others will be canceled. Student Involvement will update PhoenixConnect, which lists many of the student organization sponsored events. For updated, real-time information on student events, please visit Phoenix CONNECT.
- Parking Restrictions Friday at 4 p.m. through Sunday at 5 p.m.
As a reminder, university offices closed at 3 p.m. today (Friday). There will be parking restrictions in several lots from 4 p.m. today (Friday) through 5 p.m. Sunday – those lots were listed in this morning’s initial message (included below).
Our next email communication is expected for Saturday afternoon, unless an earlier message is warranted. Updates are also available on the Today at Elon story about this winter storm, as well as university social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram.
FRIDAY, JAN. 30, at 10:50 a.m.
Message from Vice President Jon Dooley to the Elon University community
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
- Winter Storm Warning in effect Friday evening, January 30 through Sunday morning, February 1.
- University offices to close at 3 p.m. today and parking restrictions announced for this evening through Sunday.
Forecasters are calling for another round of winter weather headed our way and the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Central North Carolina (including the Elon/Greensboro area) and the Charlotte area from 4 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Sunday.
The storm will develop off the coast and snow is expected for all of central North Carolina. The forecast models are still being refined, but as of this morning, the heaviest snowfalls are expected during the day and evening on Saturday. Current estimates for total snowfall amount are 4-7” in the Triad (including Elon and Greensboro) and the Charlotte area, with narrow bands of locally higher snowfall amounts possible with this storm. Because new snow will be added on top of existing ice and snow remaining from last weekend, the storm could lead more quickly to hazardous driving conditions, widespread road closures or transportation disruptions, and power outages.
We are monitoring the forecast and are already preparing the campus for this next round of weather, even as we continue clean-up from last weekend. Students, faculty, and staff should make personal preparations now, including careful review of the university Emergency & Severe Weather Resources and “Power Outage Tips” in the campus Emergency Response Guide.
Please make note of additional important information:
University Offices to Close at 3 p.m. Friday
To provide employees with an early start on their commute and time for their storm preparations, university offices will close at 3 p.m. today. Essential personnel listed in the university’s Severe Weather Guide should check with their supervisor about expectations for campus services this evening.
Parking Restrictions Beginning at 4 p.m. Friday
So that crews from Facilities Management can clear as much ice and snow as possible off parking lot surfaces before and after this next round of snow, please move cars out of the following lots by 4 p.m. Friday, January 30. No parking will be allowed in these lots through 5 p.m. Sunday, February 1:
- Inman Admissions Lot
- Innovation Quad Lot
- Koury Athletic Center Lot
- Lindner Hall Lot
- McMichael Hall Lot
- Oaks Parking Lot – faculty/staff and visitor spaces must be cleared; Oaks residents with an OK tag can still park in the student spaces in the Oaks Lot
Adjusted Basketball Game Start Times Friday and Saturday
- The Elon women’s basketball team takes on College of Charleston at the Schar Center Friday, January 30. Tip off has been moved to 6 p.m. to accommodate visiting team travel after the game.
- On Saturday, January 31, the men’s basketball game will be moved from 7 p.m. to 12 noon as the Phoenix host Stony Brook in the Schar Center.
Impact to Weekend Events and Campus Operations
If the storm materializes as projected, we anticipate there could be some disruption to weekend activities, including the men’s and women’s basketball games, the hours of campus facilities and services (such as Moseley Center, Campus Recreation, Belk Library, and Elon Dining), and student organization events. We will communicate any planned changes by email, starting with this afternoon’s storm update message.
Communication Plans
As we did with last weekend’s winter weather, we will inform the university community about any campus impact through the following sources:
- A daily late-afternoon email update
- Updates to a storm-related Today at Elon story
- E-Alert text message (for short emergency messages) – Sign up or verify your registration online here.
- Elon social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram.
Our next email message, with an updated forecast and anticipated impact to campus services and events, will be sent later this afternoon.
–
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life