UPDATED Monday, January 26, 6 p.m – At this time, the College is working toward reopening campus and resuming normal operations on Wednesday, provided conditions continue to improve. Our Physical Plant teams have done a remarkable job clearing sidewalks and parking lots throughout the campus, and are actively clearing more parking lots to ensure the campus is safe and accessible. We are also in touch with local partners who are making good progress on local roads.

Resuming operations Wednesday would include in-person classes, opening additional offices, athletics events and co-curricular programs as scheduled. This includes the Wednesday evening Men’s Basketball game against Eastern Mennonite University.

An official decision will be shared tomorrow by 1 p.m., once we have fully evaluated conditions on campus and surrounding travel routes.

We recognize that students were encouraged to leave campus ahead of the storm, and that travel circumstances may vary. Students, faculty, and staff must evaluate the circumstances where you are and prioritize safety.

Tuesday Hours

There are no in-person classes at Randolph-Macon Tuesday. Students should follow instructions for virtual or asynchronous work from professors.

The following offices/resources will have hours or services:

• McGraw-Page Library – 12 -5 p.m.; virtual staff supporting remotely via chat through the library website (https://library.rmc.edu) from 8-5 p.m. as well
• Brock Recreation Center – Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Estes Dining Hall – Breakfast/lunch from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Dinner from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Snow day activities through the SEC will be announced via GroupMe, including a screening of Wicked for Good
• Other offices and staff may be contacted via email, with most Randolph-Macon staff working virtually.

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UPDATED Sunday, January 25, 6:45 p.m. – A mix of sleet and freezing rain continues to fall in Ashland and throughout the region. At this time, the National Weather Service calls for a couple more hours of freezing rain. This is the part of the forecast that is most likely to cause major icing and power outages.

Fortunately, the mix and volume of precipitation today has been at the lower end of the forecast, with many more hours of sleet (versus freezing rain) than we feared. Our emergency manager advisors from the state and county level are hopeful these small changes in the forecast will mean a faster recovery from this storm.

At this time, there are no power outages on campus. Except extremely slick conditions, especially tonight.

In addition to virtual or asynchronous classes on Monday and Tuesday, Randolph-Macon is announcing plans for the following hours for campus services:

Monday Hours

• McGraw-Page Library – Closed; virtual staff supporting remotely via chat through the library website (https://library.rmc.edu) (assuming power)
• Brock Recreation Center – Open 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Estes Dining Hall – Breakfast/lunch from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Dinner from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Snow day activities are currently ongoing in Brock Commons. Additional get-togethers may be announced via the GroupMe for students who have remained on campus tomorrow.
• Other offices and staff may be contacted via email, with most Randolph-Macon staff working virtually.

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UPDATED Sunday, January 25, 8:45 a.m. – Randolph-Macon announced the cancellation of in-person classes for Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27. Classes—as well as many campus services—will shift to virtual, where possible.

The Emergency Response email recognized that the threat of power outages may impact the practicalities of virtual classes and work. In general, students should work with faculty (and staff should work directly with supervisors) to communicate about their personal situation.

• Students should reference further instructions from faculty regarding the format and details of virtual class or asynchronous class assignments.  

• Students completing J-term internships should follow the instructions of their on-site supervisor regarding closures or virtual work. 

• PA graduate students should refer to the email from program faculty sent Saturday afternoon. Additional information should be forthcoming by noon on Tuesday. 

• Essential staff and student workers report for work at the direction of your supervisor. Other staff are expected to work remotely as you are able, in consultation with your supervisor.  

Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens for the next few days, which means that any ice conditions will persist for several days. Given the fluid situation regarding transportation and power, ERT will announce more details for campus services Monday (Library, Brock, and Dining) later today. 

Students on campus should join the GroupMe, where announcements of additional snow day activities will be posted.

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Saturday, January 24, 2026, 9 p.m. – The anticipated winter storm has arrived in Ashland and the region with light snow. All models indicate that the morning hours will bring a challenging combination of sleet and freezing rain that will have serious impacts on the region and on campus.

Both the Brock Center and the McGraw-Page Library will be closed Sunday, January 25. Estes Dining Hall will be open for brunch from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and for dinner service from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  

Physical Plant will be working to keep walkways clear throughout this weather event, but it is highly likely that the weather will mean extremely slick surfaces throughout campus and the region. Please be extremely careful when outside. Anticipate both cold temperatures and treacherous walking.  

While the Emergency Response Team is planning for all contingencies, our expectation remains that there will be significant challenges here on campus. In addition to lights, outlets, etc., a power outage will affect wifi and heat in impacted buildings. It is possible this will be a multi-day outage.

Here are important preparatory steps to take, particularly if you remain on campus: 

Water Disruption 

• Fill water bottles tonight and endeavor to keep them full over the next hours and days. In the event that the region experiences a significant water emergency (as we did last year), drinkable water will be critical. 

• In the event of a water failure, we will communicate protocols for a significant challenge with toilets and other non-drinkable water.  

Communication Disruption 

• In the event of significant disruptions to wifi and power on campus, we will shift our communication to campus alerts and our storm-specific GroupMe. (Please opt in to both now – don’t wait!)  

• For that reason, it is also very important to keep your cell (all devices) charged. We will have back-up charging locations in Brock Commons, but they are limited and will not support the number of students we have on campus.  

In case of emergency, contact 911 and/or Campus Safety 804-752-4710. If the Campus Safety phone line is disrupted, the alternate emergency phone number is 804-837-3662.