Lander Alert Information

Winter Weather Information

1/23/26 11:30 a.m.

The Greenwood area is now under an Ice Storm Warning, with the potential for significant ice and sleet accumulations throughout the Upstate. Because of the extremely cold temperatures and the potential for widespread power outages, all students who are able to return home are strongly encouraged to do so this afternoon, before conditions deteriorate.

As a reminder, all classes beginning at 12 p.m. and after are canceled for today (Friday, Jan. 23). Monday and Tuesday will be virtual instruction, as announced last night. 

The University is taking preparations for this storm seriously. To ensure the safety of the campus community, the following updates to services and operations are also being made: 

• Campus dining will operate with reduced hours and menus for Saturday and Sunday, and will offer to-go meal options for hours closed over the weekend. Additional information about dining hours and services will be shared with campus later today. 
• Athletic practices scheduled for this weekend, Monday and Tuesday are canceled.
• The Jackson Library will close at 5 p.m. today (Friday, Jan. 23), and will remain closed Saturday and Sunday. 
• The Lander Line/Bearcat Shuttle will not operate Saturday, Sunday or Monday. 

For students unable to return home, essential services such as dining, health and safety will continue to be available. So that the University can adequately prepare for residential students remaining on campus, those who are not able to return home must notify the Housing Office of their intentions to stay by completing this form: Housing Survey  – Fill out form.

If you have already completed this form, but have now decided to return home, you must email Housing at housing@lander.edu. 

1/22/26 8:00 p.m.

The Upstate remains under a Winter Storm Watch, with the potential for significant ice accumulation leading to widespread power outages and treacherous travel conditions this weekend. Additionally, extremely cold temperatures during the overnight hours on Sunday and Monday will likely extend hazardous conditions into early next week.

In light of these expected conditions, the following operational changes are being made:

• The University will move to virtual, asynchronous instruction for Monday, Jan. 26, and Tuesday, Jan. 27. Students should monitor their email and/or Blackboard for instructions from faculty regarding lessons and assignments for those days.
• Only essential employees should report to campus Monday and Tuesday. Employees should use discretion regarding travel and only travel if it is safe to do so. Non-essential employees should plan to work with their supervisors to utilize telecommuting or annual leave for those days.
• It is possible that conditions could require a shift to virtual instruction for the remainder of next week. Decisions regarding classes and operations for Wednesday will be announced on Tuesday. 

STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO TRAVEL HOME

As a reminder, students are strongly encouraged to travel home tomorrow before road conditions deteriorate. If you are unable to leave campus, you must notify the Housing Office (housing@lander.edu) of your plans to remain on campus. (If you have already notified Housing, but your plans have now changed as a result of this shift, please update the Housing Office.)

Additional operational and campus service updates will be shared tomorrow and throughout the weekend. Please continue to monitor campus email, social media and the website for important updates.

1/22/26 12:00 p.m.

University officials are closely monitoring the winter weather forecast for our region. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for our area for this weekend. Hazardous levels of snow, sleet and ice are possible beginning Saturday afternoon through Sunday, which may cause widespread power outages and make roadways impassable.

Because of this potential, and out of an abundance of caution:

• Classes beginning at 12 p.m. or after for Friday, Jan. 23, are canceled. Students should look for instructions from their professors regarding any assignments for those courses.
• Campus offices will remain open Friday on a regular schedule.
• Campus transportation services (Lander Line/Shuttle) will be suspended Saturday and Sunday.
• No decision has been made at this time regarding classes and operations for Monday, Jan. 26. However, students and faculty should be prepared for remote learning on Monday, should conditions prevent safe travel.  
• Officials will closely monitor conditions throughout the weekend and additional operational updates will be shared via Lander email, social media and website as those decisions are made.

STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO TRAVEL HOME

It is possible that some campus services will be scaled back in order to focus resources on storm preparation and response. Should our community experience power outages, access to some campus amenities, such as retail dining, transportation and internet, may be limited this weekend.  

Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to travel home tomorrow afternoon, before road conditions deteriorate. If you are not able to travel home, you must notify the Housing Office (housing@lander.edu) of your plans to remain on campus. 

STAY INFORMED AND STAY SAFE

Students and employees should plan to closely monitor Lander email for additional updates to campus operations and services this weekend. If you haven’t already done so, sign up for Lander Alert so that you can receive notifications quickly through text and email.

Winter Weather Walkways

This map highlights campus walkways to use during winter weather conditions. When on campus, walk on the grass when possible, or use treated walkways. Avoid areas that have not been treated, especially outdoor or unsheltered stairwells.