01/21/2026
Here are some answers to many questions you probably have about the winter storm expected to impact campus this weekend:
1. We Care - we have been watching the forecast for several days, and have been in constant communication with our NWS partners, campus administration, and student support services to prepare. We care about your students, their safety, and their well-being.
2. Communication - we already have several communications planned or sent for this event. Make sure your student checks their A-State email and has signed up to receive A-State Alerts. Cancellations, delays, etc., will be communicated via official A-State communication sources, such as A-State Alerts, campus email, official campus social media, etc. Information is also updated and available for winter weather at https://linktr.ee/AStateWinterWx
3. Classes - our goal is to minimize disruption to instruction while always valuing student safety. The two factors that affect that the most with respect to winter weather are the ability of crews to move the snow and the ability of the sun to help melt snow/ice. Unfortunately for timing, most of those things happen during the day, which can sometimes delay how quickly we make that decision/announcement. We promise we want to let you know as soon as we have enough information to make a good decision. Please also know we have thousands of students, and sometimes special circumstances apply. The Provost's Inclement Weather Policy addresses this more fully (https://www.astate.edu/academics/classes-and-registration/inclement-weather-policy.html?redirect=true)
4. Food - while some food locations may be closed and/or hours limited, dining options will still exist. That said, it may not be a bad idea for your student to pick up a few snacks in case they don't want to walk in the cold or worry about the hours of operation.
5. Shelter - we have worked very closely with Facilities Management and University Housing to make sure thermostats are set correctly and that we are prepared for the extremely cold temperatures. As always, if you have any issues with heat or other maintenance needs, please submit a work order so that FM can tend to it.
6. Power - several campus buildings do have backup generators. Ultimately, utility infrastructure in Jonesboro greatly improved after the 2009 Ice Storm. We don't expect widespread and prolonged power outages on campus with this system. But as always, we have plans for this if needed.
If you have other questions, drop them in the comments, and we will do our best to answer them. Above all - we want our students to be safe, stay warm, and enjoy the snow!
