KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Students at the University of Tennessee may move into a closed campus on Friday after a winter storm brought frigid temperatures, layers of ice and several inches of snow.
The campus will be closed on Friday, according to a post from the university on social media. However, students will still be able to move back into dorms and Greek Life housing that day. UT Housing posted on social media that even if the university is closed administratively, students would still be able to move back in since residence halls would still be open. UT Dining services will also be available.
Services like TRECS will have limited hours through the weekend, and UT said staff will be available at residence halls to welcome students back to campus.
Students will also have an extra day of winter break after UT canceled class on Monday — both in-person and online. UT said by canceling classes, students would have more flexibility to travel back to campus in hazardous road conditions.
Monday was expected to start the spring semester. It is now going to start on Tuesday.
On Friday, only essential personnel should report as normal, according to the University of Tennessee Police Department. Other staff members should coordinate with their supervisors, according to UTPD.
Employees should still plan to be on campus as scheduled on Monday, according to UT. If they cannot make it to the university, they should reach out to their supervisors, according to UT.
UTPD also said roadways at UT still have snow and ice in many areas, which could cause travel issues including black ice.
Another round of wintry weather was expected Thursday night into Friday morning, bringing the possibility of freezing rain and a sheet of ice over East Tennessee. Areas could also see additional flurries of snow.