As multiple rounds of winter storms hit the Nashville area this week, Lipscomb extended remote learning through Friday. However, rising temperatures and clear skies allowed the university to announce a return to in-person classes starting Monday.
“I want to encourage you to hang in there as we continue to wait out this winter storm,” said Vice President of Student Life Al Sturgeon in an email to students earlier this week.
“There are multiple frontline heroes here for you, including security officers, residence life staff, food services staff and service operations workers that are all here to make sure you are safe, warm and fed.”
As snow and ice fell, Lipscomb dining services shut down everything except Bison Café and Starbucks. Both places have expanded operation hours to serve the resulting increased need.
The COVID pandemic added another set of challenges to the icy, snowy, cold week. As students crowded indoors to keep warm, Sturgeon reminded them to take virus precautions in terms of social distancing, especially: “Please do your best to spread out as best you can to prevent a dramatic increase in virus transmission after the winter storm that would threaten our ability to function as a residential community.”
To overcome the concerns of treacherous travel to doctors’s offices and other facilities, Lipscomb increased medical staff on campus. This includes the 24-hour availability of medical assessments and treatments.
“Being able to offer these enhanced medical services during this time of inclement weather will allow our students to receive increased care and medical assessments on campus rather than requiring transport to a local medical facility,” read a university email.
Current temperatures are on track to keep snow and ice from melting down until Saturday.
“Saturday and Sunday’s weather should allow us to finally thaw out,” said Sturgeon. “Be very careful as you move around, and know that this will be over soon.
“I hope in the midst of it all you can enjoy the breathtaking beauty that comes with the challenges of a winter storm.”