Winter weather updates

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

Office of Public Relations & Communications  | 

Groups of students on the Lipscomb campus in the snow

Update: Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 - 2 p.m.

Thank you for your flexibility, patience and care for one another as Middle Tennessee continues to recover from this significant winter storm. To help you plan, here is the operational update for the next two days.

Thursday, Jan. 29 and Friday, Jan. 30 will be remote learning days.

Classes:
All undergraduate and graduate classes, day and evening, on Thursday, Jan. 29 and Friday, Jan. 30, will be offered in a remote format. Your professors may offer instruction synchronously or asynchronously, as appropriate, and will communicate directly with you about how to access your classes.

We recognize that circumstances vary widely across our community. Many students and professors are still without power or have power coming in and out, have unstable internet access, are living in alternative locations or are managing other storm-related challenges. If you are experiencing difficulty participating in your courses, please try to communicate directly with your professors so flexibility and support can be provided. We understand that we are operating in an evolving and continuing situation that requires us to extend an extra measure of care, patience and grace to each other

Campus Operations:
Although classes are remote for the next two days, the university remains open to care for and serve our residential students. Essential services will continue to operate, and staff are available to support students on campus.

All non-essential offices will operate in a remote format on Thursday, Jan. 29 and Friday, Jan. 30. Because we will be operating in a remote format, physical offices on campus are officially closed, with employees working remotely. If you need assistance with student services, please visit Bison One Stop online or email the appropriate office. The Health Center will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for in-person appointments on Thursday and Friday. Please feel free to call 615-966-6304 or email healthservices [at] lipscomb.edu (healthservices[at]lipscomb[dot]edu) between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to consult with a member of the health center team.

Use Caution on Campus:
Please take precautions that reduce risk when moving about campus. Although the Service Operations team has worked tirelessly to clear sidewalks, stairs and parking areas, there may still be some places where snow and ice remain. Walk slowly, wear appropriate footwear and remain alert, and avoid walking under trees as they remain under stress from the ice and limbs may fall.

Events on Campus:

  • The women’s basketball games scheduled for Thursday night and Saturday will be played as planned: Thursday, Jan. 29 WBB vs. Jacksonville, 6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31 WBB vs. North Florida, 1 p.m. This is a great opportunity to cheer on the Bisons and get out of your dorm room or house!
  • For all other events, please check directly with the event organizer for updates. Students will receive information from Student Engagement regarding updates to the schedule for bid night and related activities.

As of today, more than 110,000 customers in Nashville remain without power, a reminder of the widespread impact of this storm. As this weather-related event continues to evolve and we reserve the right to switch gears as circumstances may require changes to what we have communicated. We ask for your patience if this is the case.

Thank you for the resilience and flexibility you have shown during this unusually difficult stretch. We are grateful for you and for the way you support one another as members of the Bison community.

Update: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 - 6 p.m.

Power has been restored to campus. Classes – in-person and remote – are still cancelled for tomorrow as announced earlier this afternoon. Consider tomorrow a transition day. We will share more regarding Thursday as soon as we can tomorrow. 

As systems come back online, it is normal to experience some brief power fluctuations. This is occurring in homes and buildings across Nashville as power is restored following the ice storm, and may continue until all power is restored across the city.

Nashville Electric Service (NES) crews remain nearby and are continuing to monitor the situation. As we have shared previously, the Green Hills community, where Lipscomb is located, has been particularly impacted by the ice storm and continues to experience a high volume of outages. As crews work to restore full power throughout the area, there may be a few isolated and brief interruptions while tree limbs are removed from live power lines or damaged poles are repaired. Should this occur, generators will remain connected to Bennett Campus Center, Sewell Hall and the Nursing & Health Sciences Center to ensure continued support.

Lipscomb’s Service Operations team will be on site this evening, inspecting pipes, ensuring hot water is flowing and checking for any issues that may have occurred during the outage.

With a campus as large as ours, fully restoring all systems is a significant process. Thank you for your patience during these next steps and for the flexibility you have shown over the past few days. Please continue to be mindful of fellow students, faculty, staff and members of the Nashville community who remain without power this evening.

Update: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 - 3 p.m.

Operational Status for Wednesday, Jan. 28:
Due to the continued impact of the winter storm and ongoing power outages in the area, Lipscomb University will cancel all classes and close offices on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

All undergraduate and graduate classes, day and evening, are canceled and will not meet in person or remotely. All undergraduate and graduate classes, day and evening, are canceled for Wednesday, Jan. 28. Classes will not meet in person or remotely. Although classes are canceled and offices are closed, the university remains open to care for and serve our residential students during this winter weather event. Essential campus services will continue to operate, and students living on campus will have access to meals and support. 
Please note that all campus events and activities scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 28, are canceled.

Employees who provide essential services and who must report to work to maintain core operations will be notified by their supervisor. Employees who are unsure of their status should check directly with their supervisor. Service Operations, housekeeping and security teams will have staff on campus on Monday to support the community. All non-essential offices will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Remote work is not required, as many employees remain without power.

Power Outage Update:
As of this afternoon, power remains out across campus. We have spoken directly with the Nashville Electric Service (NES) CEO and the mayor’s office, and Lipscomb has been reprioritized for restoration, but the extensive damage in the Green Hills area, including downed trees and power lines, continues to slow repairs. Rising temperatures today have caused additional limbs to fall, creating new challenges for crews. NES is currently working to restore power to more than 132,000 customers across the city.

On campus, generators continue to fully power Bennett Campus Center, Sewell Hall and the Nursing & Health Sciences Center, and residential students remaining on campus have been relocated to these facilities. Residence Hall Directors and Student Life staff continue to serve students around the clock.

Student Life and Dining:

Despite the circumstances, students on campus have been in remarkably good spirits. Last night, students had an opportunity to watch SKETCH in Shamblin Theatre and today, the Student Activities Center was open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to allow students to take advantage of daylight hours to use the basketball courts and walking track.

Dining Services continues to operate smoothly. Sodexo received fresh food shipments today and remains well-staffed, with team members staying in nearby hotels. Bison Café is open during regular hours with ample food available, and Starbucks is also open. We are grateful for these teams who are serving with excellence under challenging conditions.

We recognize that many of our faculty, staff and students are personally experiencing power outages, property damage and significant disruptions at home. Please know that you and your families remain in our prayers, alongside the broader Nashville community.

Thank you for the flexibility and servant-hearted commitment you continue to show our students and one another. Even amid disruption, the care being extended across campus reflects the very best of Lipscomb.

The university will continue to assess weather conditions and determine operational status for Thursday. Please watch your Lipscomb email for updates. 

Update: Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 - 2:45 p.m.

Due to the continued impact of significant winter weather across Middle Tennessee and widespread power outages throughout the area, Lipscomb University will cancel all classes and close offices on Tuesday, Jan. 27, to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community.

All undergraduate and graduate classes, day and evening, are canceled for Tuesday, Jan. 27. Classes will not meet in person or remotely. Although classes are canceled and offices are closed, the university remains open to care for and serve our residential students during this winter weather event. Essential campus services will continue to operate, and students living on campus will have access to meals and support. Please note that all campus events and activities scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, are canceled.

Employees who provide essential services and who must report to work to maintain core operations will be notified by their supervisor. Employees who are unsure of their status should check directly with their supervisor. Service Operations, housekeeping and security teams will have staff on campus on Monday to support the community. All non-essential offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Remote work is not required, as many employees continue to be without power at this time.

Power Outage on Campus:
As of 2 p.m. this afternoon, power remains out on campus. Generators are fully powering Bennett Campus Center, Sewell Hall and the Nursing & Health Sciences Center. Residential students who are on campus have been relocated to one of these buildings. Residence Hall Directors are serving and assisting students as they continue to navigate this outage. Nashville Electric Service is aware of the outage and they are working their way here down Belmont Boulevard. They are in contact with our Service Operations team. Lipscomb continues to be on the priority list behind hospitals and nursing homes. Due to the extensive tree damage and power lines down in the Green Hills neighborhood surrounding Lipscomb, we know this is a challenging operation. We expect to hear more about progress soon.

Bennett Campus Center is powered by a generator, ensuring that food services remain available to students. Dining Services: Sodexo has staff staying in nearby hotels and will be well-staffed this week. Bison Café is operating according to normal hours, and there will be ample food available for residential students this week. Other campus dining options will be temporarily closed.

We recognize that many in our community remain without power and are facing significant personal challenges due to this winter weather. Please continue to pray for our Lipscomb and Nashville community as we navigate this challenging time. 

Update: Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 - 5:15 p.m.

Due to the continued impact of significant winter weather across Middle Tennessee and widespread power outages throughout the area, Lipscomb University will cancel all classes and close offices on Monday, Jan. 26, to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community.

All undergraduate and graduate classes, day and evening, are cancelled for Monday, Jan. 26. Classes will not meet in person or remotely. Although classes are cancelled and offices are closed, the university remains open to care for and serve our residential students during this winter weather event. Essential campus services will continue to operate, and students living on campus will have access to meals and support. Please note that all campus events and activities scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, are cancelled.

Employees who provide essential services and who must report to work to maintain core operations will be notified by their supervisor. Employees who are unsure of their status should check directly with their supervisor. Service Operations, housekeeping and security teams will have staff on campus on Monday to support the community. All non-essential offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26. Remote working is not required since so many employees are without power at this time. 

Power Outage on Campus:
As of 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, power has been disrupted on campus. Generators are fully powering Bennett Campus Center, Sewell Hall and the Nursing & Health Sciences Center. Residential students who are on campus have been relocated to one of these buildings. Residence Hall Directors are serving and assisting students as they navigate this outage. Nashville Electric Service is aware of the outage and they are in contact with our Service Operations team. Lipscomb is on the priority list behind hospitals and nursing homes, and they should be working on the outage soon. We will keep you posted.

Bennett Campus Center is powered by a generator, ensuring that food services 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 this week. Bison Café is operating according to normal hours, and there will be ample food available for residential students this week. Other campus dining options will be temporarily closed.

Other Updates and Reminders:

  • The Office of Student Life will email students information regarding the availability of Lipscomb Health Services and the University Counseling Center and the operating hours for the Student Activities Center for the next few days.
    REMEMBER: Winter weather can create hazardous conditions, especially when ice is present. Your safety is our top priority. Please take precautions, prioritize personal safety and make decisions that reduce risk during winter weather conditions.
    • 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. Although the Service Operations team has worked tirelessly to clear sidewalks, stairs and parking areas, there may still be some places where snow and ice remain. 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.

We recognize that many in our community are without power and are managing significant personal challenges related to this winter weather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility during this winter weather event. The university will continue to assess weather conditions and determine operational status for Tuesday. Please watch your Lipscomb email for updates. 

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.