Starting February with winter weather

Dear Texas Woman’s University Community,

As we watch the weather forecast on this first day of February, I am reminded of the winter storm from a year ago. This one will not be nearly as bad as Winter Storm Uri, but already our emergency management operations are in full effect. So, I want to inform you of our plans for the remainder of this week.

For in-person classes in Dallas and Denton that start after the noon hour on Wednesday, please do not meet on campus. I trust the faculty to use their best judgment in deciding how to keep their classes moving forward even when we cannot commute to campus safely. We have better tools than ever to help maintain continuity of the semester in such situations, but I know that moving online briefly is not possible for all disciplines. Students in clinicals will need to contact their clinical supervisors for direction.

In-person events Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday should also pivot online, or you should cancel them.

Staff who are not essential should return home after the noon hour and those who are able to work from home should do so through Thursday. We want you safe and off the roads before the worst of the weather arrives.

Residence halls will remain open on our Denton campus and modified dining options will be available for our residential students. Blagg-Huey Library will close at noon Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday. You will have access to online library services.

I want to offer a shout-out to all public safety officers, facilities crews, housing and dining team members, and others who always work through these weather events to help keep our community safe and institution strong. Below is a short list of some of what they are working on and planning:

Facilities, Maintenance and Construction (FMC) will implement the sidewalk and road sanding/clearing plan, prioritizing residential and dining facilities.
FMC is conducting winter weather building assessments and implementing preventative actions, including shutting off water lines that are exposed, ensuring that outdoor air dampers are closing correctly and freeze protection systems are active.
FMC will pause evening and weekend temperature “setbacks” in buildings.
Housing is preparing rooms for DPS, FMC, and other essential personnel who have to remain on campus.
Risk Management is planning to drain sprinkler systems and implement a fire watch where appropriate if power is lost during freezing temperatures.
Diesel generators have been winterized and will be inspected in advance of freezing temperatures.

If power disruptions become widespread, we may have to close the university altogether. For now, we plan to reassess on Thursday to see if we need to extend this temporary change in normal operations beyond Thursday. We will make every effort to give you as much advance notice as possible. Please check the homepage and social media (@txwomans) channels for updates.

This weather event will not affect classes or events on the Houston campus.

Also, happy Chinese New Year and happy first day of Black History Month! :-) I hope you all stay safe and warm through this weather event.

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 4:47 PM, February 15, 2022