At UVA back in the day, we had a blizzard. Unusually, UVA closed for a day or two. I was living in the old dorms. Sidewalks already had been plowed and got re-plowed periodically as the storm continued. Dorm heat was fine. Steam plant was prepared for a storm.

Dining halls were open and serving hot food. Tables were pretty full because many students hing out and socialized in the dining hall. We had fun.

One professor lived out in the country somewhere. We did not see him for a week, but another professor covered for him. It was fine.

Dining halls will be open, but might be understaffed. There will be food and beverages, but the offerings might vary from the published plan.

Colleges often will plow sidewalks near dorms and dining halls first. Students still will need to be wearing Bean boots or whatever.

The exception is if an ice storm causes power loss and there is bo on-site backup generator.

Power companies have a priority repair list. Colleges are on that list somewhere, but hospitals and retirement homes usually are the top of that list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m worried about this too. My kiddo is at JMU. What if they are stuck in the dorm with nothing to do? Should I try to last-minute Amazon down some games or something ?

They will do each other. Amazon down some protection

Omg so spot on.

Anonymous wrote:I’m worried about this too. My kiddo is at JMU. What if they are stuck in the dorm with nothing to do? Should I try to last-minute Amazon down some games or something ?

Please tell me this is satire.

Anonymous wrote:I’m worried about this too. My kiddo is at JMU. What if they are stuck in the dorm with nothing to do? Should I try to last-minute Amazon down some games or something ?

They will do each other. Amazon down some protection

Anonymous wrote:I’m worried about this too. My kiddo is at JMU. What if they are stuck in the dorm with nothing to do? Should I try to last-minute Amazon down some games or something ?

Omg.

We had a massive storm when I was a student at Duke (which doesn’t do stone well). It was fine. They opened enough dining facilities so no one was starving and we stocked up on ramen and microwave popcorn.

Anonymous wrote:I’m worried about this too. My kiddo is at JMU. What if they are stuck in the dorm with nothing to do? Should I try to last-minute Amazon down some games or something ?

Your child is an adult at an institution of hire learning. Surely *they* can figure out how to entertain themselves? Or, ya know, study?

I’m worried about this too. My kiddo is at JMU. What if they are stuck in the dorm with nothing to do? Should I try to last-minute Amazon down some games or something ?

I remember staying at the University of Rochester in the early 90s during a huge ice storm. My parents lived a few hours away but lost power for almost a week. It was beautiful and quiet. I think the dining center must have been open and we had heat but it was lower than normal. I loved being on campus with only a few people. Lol I wasn’t afraid of snow or the cold but I did grow up South of Buffalo and had snacks/ simple foods in my single dorm room.

Dining Halls are essential they always will open. Colleges will prioritize plowing sidewalks around dorms and between dorms and dining halls. There might be fewer staff at the dining halls, but they will be open with food.

The exception is if an ice storm causes power to be lost and there is no on-site backup generator. Power companies have a priority repair list. Hospitals are at the top of that list.

They will be fine. Colleges and their students have dealt with snow storms.

The college kids will survive.

I have one at W&M and my older DC went to W&M as well. The older one experienced a snow storm during his time there. They did keep the dining hall open BUT the food was minimal/mediocre because they were operating on a skeleton staff. Minimal to no hot options for breakfast - just cereal, bagels, fruit, yogurt. Sandwiches for lunch and dinner. Hours were greatly reduced. It's tough because the workers have to commute. W&M has a significant number of students living on campus. Snow storms don't happen every week but they happen often enough that the school has emergency snow plans in place.

If we get a lot of snow and universities are closed, how does this affect dining halls, etc. What if they can't open the dining halls? Most kids living on campus don't have cars, etc. How can kids in dorms prepare for this...or will they get sidewalks and roads cleared and dining halls open quickly? Anyone with some experiences with something like this?