The following messages were sent to the campus community from the Emergency Management Team in connection with a Winter Storm Jan. 25 – 28, 2026 – Ed.
W&M Reopens Wednesday, Jan. 28 and Returns to Normal Operations
Dear William & Mary community,
The university will be open Wednesday, January 28 under a normal operating schedule. Classes will be in session.
The provost asks faculty to be flexible with tardiness and absences, given that commuting to and/or traversing campus safely may take additional time.
Thanks to the terrific work of our Facilities Management colleagues, campus is accessible with parking lots and walkways in good shape. Due to persistent cold temperatures, there may be some slick spots. Continue to use caution, utilize cleared pathways and be aware of your surroundings.
As the sun begins to melt snow and ice on rooftops, there is an increasing chance of falling ice around buildings. Please be alert, particularly as you enter and exit buildings. If you see a safety concern on campus, report it to Work Control at 757-221-2270.
Liberal leave is in effect. Employees who are unable to report to work safely may use leave from available leave balances without advance approval. Employees must notify supervisors to use liberal leave. Additionally, supervisors are encouraged to allow remote work, for those who are eligible.
Stay safe.
Cliff Everton, EMT chair
William & Mary
W&M Closed and All Univ. Events Cancelled Tuesday, Jan. 27
Dear William & Mary community,
Due to continued impacts from the weekend’s winter storm, the university will be closed on Tuesday, January 27. The provost has cancelled all classes – virtual and otherwise, for this period. We will send a message by 2 p.m. Tuesday regarding university and class status for Wednesday.
Essential employees should continue to consult with their supervisors and may be required to report to campus. For all other employees, the campus is closed. Non-essential employees should not be on campus and telework is not required during this closure period.
Icy Conditions
Conditions on and around campus remain icy. Please use caution. As ice treatments and the sun begin melting the build up, the potential for falling icicles and ice sheets from trees, buildings or moving cars increases. Be aware of your surroundings if you are moving about campus.
Reminders
- Please use the cleared and treated pathways.
- If you see a safety concern on campus, report it to Work Control at 757-221-2270.
- Do not use city roadways as an alternative for sidewalks, only walk where the sidewalks are clear and passable. City roadways need to be clear for emergency responders and utility crews.
- Watch where you are going, keep your eyes up and off of your phones.
- During the closure period, University Libraries, the Sadler Center and the Campus Rec Center will be closed.
Resources
- Students may access dining hall schedules at W&M Dining
- Mobility services will not be in operation during this closure period. Anyone with mobility needs during this time should contact William & Mary Police at 757-221-4596.
- State officials have requested that individuals avoid vehicular travel if possible.
- Power outages remain a possibility. In the event of an extended power outage, campus residents should rely on instructions from their Residence Hall staff.
Facilities Management crews continue to work on roadways and pathways. We appreciate all of their care for your safety, along with William & Mary Police, as they work in frigid temperatures and difficult conditions.
Watch for falling ice, beware of slippery conditions and stay safe.
Cliff Everton, EMT chair
William & Mary
Reminder, W&M Closed and All Univ. Events Cancelled Monday, Jan. 26
Dear William & Mary community,
The Williamsburg area remains under a Winter Storm Warning. As announced on Friday, the university is closed on Monday, January 26 and the provost has cancelled classes – virtual and otherwise. We will send a message by 2 p.m. tomorrow regarding university and class status for Tuesday.
The region is forecasted to continue to see periods of freezing rain and rain through the early hours Monday and temperatures are predicted to remain primarily below freezing for the coming week.
Facilities Management crews continue to work on campus roadways and pathways, but icy conditions persist and there may be areas of black ice. It is important to use caution traversing campus.
- Please use the cleared and treated pathways.
- Watch where you are going, keep your eyes up and off of your phones.
- Be aware of your surroundings as ice and icicles are developing on buildings and trees.
- Do not use city roadways as an alternative for sidewalks, only walk where the sidewalks are clear and passable. City roadways need to be clear for emergency responders and utility crews.
As reminders
- Students may access dining hall schedules at W&M Dining
- Mobility services will not be in operation during this closure period. Anyone with mobility needs during this time should contact William & Mary Police at 757-221-4596.
- State officials have requested that individuals avoid vehicular travel if possible.
- Power outages remain a possibility. In the event of an extended power outage, campus residents should rely on instructions from their Residence Hall staff.
Continue to stay safe and take necessary precautions during this inclement weather.
Cliff Everton, EMT chair
William & Mary
W&M Closed and All Univ. Events Cancelled as of 5 P.M. Saturday – Monday, Jan. 26
Dear William & Mary community,
Williamsburg and the broader region are under a Winter Storm Watch through 1 p.m. on Monday, January 26. The National Weather Service is forecasting a wintry-mix accumulation of about five inches over the weekend, very cold temperatures and the potential for dangerous and icy travel conditions.
For the campus community’s safety, the university will be closed as of 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan. 26 and the provost has cancelled all classes, virtual and otherwise, for that period.
Essential employees should consult with their supervisors and may be required to report to campus. For all other employees, the campus is closed. Non-essential employees should not be on campus and telework is not required during this closure period.
- During this closure period, University Libraries, the Sadler Center and the Campus Rec Center will be closed.
- Students may access dining hall schedules at https://dining.wm.edu
- Mobility services will not be in operation during this closure period. Anyone with mobility needs during this time should contact William & Mary Police at 757-221-4596.
- For community members with vehicles on campus, please visit https://www.wm.edu/parking for guidance on the best places to park your vehicle during the storm period.
- In the event of an extended power outage, campus residents should rely on instructions from their Residence Hall staff.
Facilities Management has already begun campus preparations and will begin clearing and treating pathways on campus as soon as it is safe to do so. Please use these cleared and treated pathways.
For All Employees
It is possible that the campus will re-open on Tuesday, Jan. 27. However, student and employee well-being and safety is our primary concern. Please be prepared to work remotely on Tuesday, or until you feel safe returning to campus. If you are ineligible for remote work, please coordinate with your supervisor on using liberal leave or making alternative work arrangements.
Next Update
An update on campus conditions and operations will be provided by Sunday evening.
Stay safe and take necessary precautions during this inclement weather.
Cliff Everton, EMT chair
William & Mary