Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 14:13     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
This is when memories are made and bonding happens. They will figure things out.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 14:08     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
My kid’s college announced that dorms are open but that dinning hall is closed on Sunday. The dinning hall is providing sandwiches and other simple things on Saturday that they can take back to the dorms to eat on Sunday. The school is in the belt with high likelihood of icing and power outages in this storm. I’m a little worried that the dinning hall will end up closed on Monday, too, but clearly my kid will not starve regardless. And I’m sure he’ll have a ball (or at least a bonding experience) with his friends.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 14:06     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
I work at a university. We are running a grocery-store specific shuttle today and tomorrow and sending students reminders about safety.

I encouraged my faculty (I'm chair) to schedule online class proactively if they felt they would be screwed from missing two Mondays in a row (holiday, snow). But the university called for online classes yesterday so that's taken care of.
If people can't make it in towards the end of the week when classes are back in session they will hold online classes and most will be flexible about students who can't make it in. We're used to this by now.

There are contingency plans to keep the dining halls open. Things might be limited with fewer options, but they'll feed on campus residents.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 14:00     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
They keep feeding them.

The kids are so happy. They slide down hills in the snow and have parties.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 13:53     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am debating whether my college kid should just return home on Saturday. He's not far away, and as soon as classes start up again, he could easily go back.

What do you think?



Tell me you are an overprotective parent without telling me you are an overprotective parent.

Unless, the school says otherwise, a college campus during a blizzard is a great time. Most classes will be cancelled and most can just chill out.


I went to a southern school, so didn't experience any snowstorms, but I seriously am having a hard time imagining anything more fun than a blizzard that shuts down campus for a couple of days. This isn't a hurricane or a tornado, FFS.

No classes
School administration will undertake heroic efforts to make sure everyone is fed, warm, and safe.
Stock up on beer, etc.
Massive snowball fights.
Trudging across campus to visit friends and go to parties, or to the to the store for more beer, etc.
Sledding down any available hill on dining hall trays.
The next day . . . same thing.

And some of you think your kids should come home? My parents couldn't have dragged me away. Any kid who wants to come home isn't doing college right.


I understand your point and I would never come home...but think about it...sledding as a college kid on little campus hills on makeshift sleds really isn't all that fun. It might be fun-ny for a minute or two, but add in the cold and wind chills this weekend/week and I'm not going outside at all except for emergency beer runs. I would be partying the entire time.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 12:08     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
Anonymous wrote:I am debating whether my college kid should just return home on Saturday. He's not far away, and as soon as classes start up again, he could easily go back.

What do you think?



I think that if you were my parent and called me with this, I'd say "no way, mom" and wouldn't answer any further calls until the storm came. Why would any kid want to be stuck at home with Mom and Dad, rather than a bunch of friends?
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 12:03     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
Boomp chicka bowmp bowwww
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 12:02     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am debating whether my college kid should just return home on Saturday. He's not far away, and as soon as classes start up again, he could easily go back.

What do you think?



Tell me you are an overprotective parent without telling me you are an overprotective parent.

Unless, the school says otherwise, a college campus during a blizzard is a great time. Most classes will be cancelled and most can just chill out.


I went to a southern school, so didn't experience any snowstorms, but I seriously am having a hard time imagining anything more fun than a blizzard that shuts down campus for a couple of days. This isn't a hurricane or a tornado, FFS.

No classes
School administration will undertake heroic efforts to make sure everyone is fed, warm, and safe.
Stock up on beer, etc.
Massive snowball fights.
Trudging across campus to visit friends and go to parties, or to the to the store for more beer, etc.
Sledding down any available hill on dining hall trays.
The next day . . . same thing.

And some of you think your kids should come home? My parents couldn't have dragged me away. Any kid who wants to come home isn't doing college right.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 11:49     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
I’m not making fun of anyone but interesting and funny to see that the most worried parents are the ones whose kids attend schools in the Southeast (including my kid).
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 11:40     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
Anonymous wrote: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?


Your kid will figure it out. They can still walk in snow (and most universities clear the sidewalks).

If they can't figure it out, they likely don't belong in college.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 11:19     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
Anonymous wrote:I am debating whether my college kid should just return home on Saturday. He's not far away, and as soon as classes start up again, he could easily go back.

What do you think?



Tell me you are an overprotective parent without telling me you are an overprotective parent.

Unless, the school says otherwise, a college campus during a blizzard is a great time. Most classes will be cancelled and most can just chill out.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 11:16     Subject: If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
Anonymous wrote: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?


I remember the storm of 96 like it was yesterday. The bar ran out of low end cheap beer and we had to drink imports. We were lucky to make it but here I am 30 years later. Still shudder...
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 11:12     Subject: Re:If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
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 ?


Seriously?
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 11:10     Subject: Re:If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
OP here. I grew up and went to school well north of here and have experienced more snow storms that I can count and plenty while at college. However, I've never spent a day in a dorm or ate a meal in a dining hall. I'm just curious what the hell those students do. It's not like they have kitchens. But whoever mentioned an electric tea kettle and ramen...oh yeah, and the protection...that makes sense. Great advice. For everyone who said that my kid will survive....yeah, I'm aware of that. Thanks.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 11:01     Subject: Re:If Classes are Closed Due to The Storm, How does that Affect Kids in Dorms?
One of ours went to school where they got snow regularly. On the rare occasion that classes were canceled the kids had a blast sledding, hanging with friends and generally having a great time. They always had some dining available so no one starved to death.