Planning for this weekend's expected inclement weather

9:41 AM

Students, faculty and staff:

As we prepare for the potential of significant snowfall this weekend, please know that university leadership is already working with local and regional officials to take all necessary precautions and ensure the continued provision of essential services for our campus community.

Facilities personnel will begin treating university roads and sidewalks on Friday, Jan. 23, and will continue servicing the campus throughout the weekend.

The university has also recently added a redundant electrical utility feed that will serve as a backup for the campus in the event that our primary electrical circuit suffers a blackout.

Please take note of the following updates and recommendations as we plan for the incoming weather and work to keep our community safe:

• ​A decision regarding a campus closure for Monday, Jan. 26, will be made no later than noon on Sunday, Jan. 25.
  
  
• Please refer to tntech.edu/weather for information on where campus closure or delay announcements will be shared.
  
  
• In the event of a campus closure, residence halls will remain staffed and fully operational for all on-campus students, and Dining Services will continue serving meals at The Caf.
  
  
• Determinations on the ability to open additional campus dining locations and other campus services (e.g., The Burn, Health Services) will be made as weather conditions permit.
  
  
• You can help us maintain campus safety by following these helpful tips:
  
  
• When the campus is closed, this typically means all employees are excused from their duties unless informed otherwise by their supervisor (e.g., essential on-site personnel for campus operations). However, in the event of a prolonged closure, some staff may be asked to begin working remotely. Therefore, university employees are encouraged to take their work devices home on Friday, Jan. 23. Employees should also ensure all windows in their buildings are closed before departing campus.
  
  
• In the event of a campus closure, employees who are not required to report to campus to perform their duties can help us prioritize student needs by remaining at home and keeping roads clear for facilities teams and emergency personnel.
  
  
• During icy conditions, some building entrances and stairwells may become hazardous. Whenever possible, use each building's ADA accessible entrance for safer passage.
  
  
• Students who remain on campus are encouraged to park in green-zoned parking lots to reduce walking distances to residence halls and allow our teams to use red- and gold-zoned lots for snow removal.
  
  
• Students residing at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville are strongly encouraged to consider alternate arrangements for the weekend due to the center’s remote location and the potential for impassable roads. University representatives will reach out directly to affected students.
  
  All students, whether residing on or off campus, may wish to consider gathering some emergency supplies, such as nonperishable food items, a flashlight with extra batteries, and items to stay warm. This resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides further guidance.

Stay safe, warm and keep your Wings Up!