Winter weather updates

Winter weather updates

Students, faculty and staff should monitor their Lipscomb email for the latest weather information and updates.

Office of Public Relations & Communications | 01/25/2026

Update: Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 - 8:34 a.m.

As the winter storm continues to impact Middle Tennessee, residential students are urged to use extreme caution when moving about campus today. Sleet and freezing rain have created slippery conditions, and some tree branches have fallen due to the weight of the ice. Our Service Operations team is on-site and working diligently this morning to clear pathways.

If walking over to Bennett Campus Center, please walk slowly and wear shoes with good traction. Also, avoid walking under or near any trees to avoid any limbs that may fall.

Power remains on throughout campus. Starbucks and Bison Café are open today with normal operating hours, and there is ample food available for residential students.

Please continue to monitor your Lipscomb email throughout the day for additional updates and information.

Update: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 - 3:39 p.m.

Weather forecasts for Nashville continue to predict a challenging winter weather event with a mix of snow, freezing rain, sleet and ice this weekend. It is clear that Nashville is located in the path of several inches of snow and some ice. While the exact type of precipitation and accumulation amounts remain uncertain, we want to share what you can expect regarding campus operations, classes, housing and essential services as we prepare for winter weather and plan for as much as we can. This is a follow-up to the message we shared yesterday with a few reminders, updates and additional information to help our community plan and prepare. There is a lot of information included in this email, so please read all the way to the end.

Weekend classes, events and activities:

• Graduate classes: No in-person classes will be held on campus this weekend. Faculty teaching weekend graduate courses should determine whether to cancel or pivot to an online format and communicate plans to students as soon as possible. Students should contact their professors with any questions.
• All campus events and activities scheduled for Saturday and Sunday are cancelled. Additional information about events next week will be shared over the weekend.

Class and office operations on Monday, Jan. 26:

• In cases of inclement weather when the university remains open, and the Class Schedule Disruption Policy is activated, faculty and students are advised to avoid unnecessary travel risks. (NOTE TO FACULTY: In this circumstance, if you intend to hold class in person, please consider providing a Zoom or online option for commuter students who may have difficulty getting to campus.)
• If winter weather requires disruption of the entire class schedule, students will be notified via Lipscomb University email and the university's main social media channels.
• An update regarding Monday, Jan. 26, classes and operations will be sent by 7 p.m. Sunday evening.

Facilities and snow preparation:

• Our facilities team has been hard at work today salting sidewalks, parking lots, steps and other concrete surfaces to establish a foundational layer ahead of possible snow or ice.
• Snow removal will begin after snowfall has stopped to avoid repeated shoveling. We anticipate this will take place at some point on Sunday when precipitation is forecasted to end. If you are on campus before snow removal begins, please use extra caution when moving about.

Dining services and essential operations:

• The university has a generator that powers Bennett Campus Center, ensuring that food services will remain available to students in the event of a power disruption.
• Dining Services: Sodexo has staff staying in nearby hotels and will be well-staffed through the weekend and into next week. Bison Café will operate according to normal hours, and there will be ample food available for residential students. Other campus dining options will be temporarily closed.
• Service Operations, housekeeping and security teams will have staff on campus throughout the weekend to support the community.

Power outage possibility:

While we have made many preparations to avoid power loss, outages may be inevitable due to the projected magnitude of this winter storm. So, in the event of a large-scale power outage that affects Nashville and our campus, we will contact residential students via email and through your head resident. We have developed a plan for relocation to on-campus generator-powered locations if needed. Bennett Campus Center will always serve as a hub for any needs and will have WiFi access and supplies of essential items. We will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and potential ice impacts throughout the day and overnight on both Saturday and Sunday. Additional updates will be shared with residential students if needed, as we know more about weather conditions and any effects on our campus.

Parking guidance for residential students:

• Residential students are asked to move vehicles into one of the three on-campus parking garages by THIS evening. This helps protect vehicles from ice and snow and allows parking lots to be plowed more efficiently.

Health, wellness and campus services:

If disruption of services continues beyond the weekend, students should watch for updates from the Office of Student Life regarding the availability of Lipscomb Health Services and the University Counseling Center and the operating hours for the Student Activities Center.

Residential Students: Important reminders:

• Winter weather could make travel difficult for several days. Please plan ahead by securing prescription refills, medications and other essential items before Friday night, when the winter weather is forecasted to begin.
• Keep windows closed in residence halls.
• If applicable, leave the cabinets under sinks in your dorm room open to help prevent frozen pipes.
• If there is a power outage, hot water will not be available.
• Charge phones, laptops and power banks in advance.
• Use your phone's flashlight feature if lighting is limited.
• If a pipe bursts in the dorm, residential students should immediately contact Lipscomb Security at 615.966.7600 so facilities can respond as quickly as possible.
• Lipscomb Health Services is closed over the weekend as per the usual schedule. In case of injury or emergency, call 911. Please note that emergency response times across Nashville may be delayed due to high demand and hazardous conditions.

Faculty and Staff: Important reminders:

• Turn off any space heaters before leaving campus.
• Leave water dripping from sinks in offices located in portables or houses adjacent to campus.
• Close windows before leaving.
• Take home laptops and any materials you may need to work remotely if conditions require that on Monday.

Winter weather safety: Please use caution:

Winter weather can create hazardous conditions, especially when ice is present. We urge everyone to prioritize personal safety and use extreme caution throughout the weekend.

• Avoid unnecessary travel. Driving on icy roads is dangerous, and conditions may change quickly. If you do not need to be on the road, please stay put.
• Use caution when outdoors. Ice may be present on sidewalks, stairs and parking areas, particularly before snow and ice removal is completed. Walk slowly, wear appropriate footwear and remain alert.
• Do not play on icy surfaces. While snow and ice may look inviting and fun to play in, injuries can occur easily in extreme cold or slippery conditions.
• Be mindful of extreme cold. Limit time outside, dress in layers and protect exposed skin.
• Your safety is our top priority. Please take precautions, look out for one another and make decisions that reduce risk during winter weather conditions.

Thank you for your care and cooperation as we prepare for the weekend. Please continue to monitor your Lipscomb email for updates.