Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor
UPDATE: VCU will reopen and conduct in-person classes on Thursday. VCU Health is open and operational.
VCU is urging the community to use caution while returning to campus. Parking lots, sidewalks and public spaces are largely clear of snow and ice on campus, but there may be varying travel conditions and potential icing due to freeze-thaw cycles.
Ice removals are continuing for surface parking lots. VCU said Parking and Transportation will contact those with their parking locations affected.
With a winter storm approaching Richmond, VCU announced the university will close at 2 p.m. on Saturday and remain closed through Monday. VCU Health inpatient hospitals are open.
“VCU is undertaking significant preparations in advance of the storm, including major preparations by Facilities Management, Residential Life and Housing, VCU Police, Parking and Transportation and VCU Dine,” VCU spokesperson Brian McNeill stated.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning from 1 p.m. on Saturday until 7 p.m. on Monday. Snow will arrive Saturday evening and change to freezing rain and sleet beginning Sunday morning.
VCU is encouraging students who live on campus to travel back home if it is safe for them to do so.
Commons, gym and dining locations could see closures
RamsXpress will not run on Tuesday. RamSafe will not run in the evening on Monday. Updates will be made available on the VCUParking Instagram page.
VCU libraries will be closed on Monday and operate virtually on Tuesday.
Students should expect less dining locations to be open, according to VCU Residential Life and Housing. Cary Street Gym, the Student Commons and other buildings may be closed.
Updates on which dining locations are open will be found at vcu.campusdish.com or on VCU Dining’s social media pages.
Mailrooms will be closed on Sunday and Monday. Normal hours are planned to resume on Tuesday.
Additional university operational decisions will be announced Monday and made available through VCU Alerts.
Dorm residents: Prepare for a power outage
The current forecast calls for four to eight inches of snow, followed by significant icing and bitter cold temperatures, creating the potential for widespread power outages and dangerous travel.
Dominion Energy — Virginia’s largest energy provider — warned customers on Thursday to prepare for the storm by buying non-perishable food items, canned goods, food that does not need to be refrigerated and bottled water. People should fill their prescription medications in advance, as well as fully charge their phones, laptops and backup batteries.
Heating in dorms will be affected if power outages occur. Dorms are equipped with generators that power top-priority systems, such as exit signs and emergency lights.
Students should have flashlights, fresh batteries, extra blankets and warm clothing prepared. They should keep bedroom and apartment windows closed to maintain heat. Candles are still prohibited.
Students should keep their heat on, even if they plan to be away, to keep pipes warm. They should open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing. They can also allow one faucet to drip slowly with lukewarm water.
If power goes out for an extended period, housing staff will post updates near the information desks for each respective dorm.
Students should never use a stove, oven or outdoor grill to heat their dorms, as doing so would create a severe fire hazard and pose risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Students should avoid using elevators and instead use stairs if power flickers. Refrigerators and freezer doors should remain closed as much as possible. Food will stay cold for about four hours in a fridge and 48 hours in a full freezer if unopened.
If the power goes out, students should unplug sensitive electronics, as surges of electricity when the power comes back on could damage them.
MCV will remain open
Inpatient hospitals and emergency departments remain open and fully operational at VCU Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital and VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital, according to McNeill.
VCU Health team members should monitor their email, VCU Health alert and the intranet for updates.
Patients will be contacted directly if their appointment is impacted.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.