1. Washington College Weather Alerts

Washington College Weather Alerts

Campus Will Reopen Wednesday, January 28

Updated January 27

The weather forecast through the end of this week (Friday January 30) calls for frigid conditions, some high winds and temperatures well below freezing. Please be as safe as possible. We ask you use extreme caution walking and moving around campus and town when you go outdoors as needed. Also, we ask you please consider traveling with others if you do go out as an additional safety precaution.

Building Hours

Johnson Fitness Center

The Cain Athletic Complex, Kibler Field, Casey Swim Center, and the Johnson Fitness Center are open and will operate under normal hours. 

Fitness classes will return to the JFC Dance Studio like normal starting with Pilates tonight (Wednesday) at 6pm.

Miller Library

The Miller Library is open today, Wednesday, January 28th!  

Hours of operation will be as follows:
8:30 am - 8:00 pm
The library will extend our evening hours tonight.
 
If you have questions about accessing the building or our collections, you can reach us at [email protected] or submit an Ask a Librarian form.
 

Heavy Snow Preparedness

Updated January 27

Academics

In the event of heavy snowfall, whether classes are canceled or taught virtually is decided by each individual professor. Students should look for information from the instructors of each of their classes.

Buildings & Grounds

Buildings & Grounds (B&G) has cleared much of the ice (and snow) which has made walking around campus treacherous. Still, please be very careful moving around campus because of the ice accumulations and the very cold temperatures.
 

Campus Closure

If campus is officially closed it is because conditions make it unsafe or risky to move around campus and you will receive notification via WAC Alerts. Classes will be transitioned to remote learning, and all nonessential employees should work from home. We will prioritize clearing access from residence halls to 1) Hodson Hall; 2) the JFC/Cain Athletic Center; 3) the library; then 4) all other academic and administrative buildings. Once each of those buildings are accessible, students are free to access them. 

Health Concerns

As usual on weekends, the Health and Counseling centers will be closed. If students have any emergent health concerns that need immediate attention, the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center emergency room is just beyond Minta Martin Hall. More information is noted below in the section on local off-campus resources, but students should be prepared to have several days' supply of any necessary medications and other first aid supplies.

 

True Emergencies (severe chest pain, breathing issues, major injury, hypothermia signs, etc.): Call 911 immediately. Response may be slower due to roads.

University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown (100 Brown St, near campus): ER open 24/7 year-round, even during storms. Phone: 410-778-3300. Go here for serious needs.

Urgent Care Alternatives:

  • Eastern Shore Urgent Care (normal hours Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, weekends 9am–3pm) will likely close during the storm.
  • Choptank Health Chestertown (primary/urgent) typically closed weekends; limited after-hours for established patients (call 443-215-5353 during open hours).

Pharmacies (Stock up today; some offer delivery):

  • Chester River Pharmacy (601 Washington Ave; 410-810-3600; free delivery within 15 miles).
  • Walgreens (701 Washington Ave; extended hours possible). Call ahead for storm hours.

Mental Health Support: National crisis line: 988 (24/7). Or For All Seasons: 410-822-1018.

Safe Ride

Safe Ride (410-810-7433) will be operating normal hours Jan. 23 from 9 p.m. until 12 a.m. and will offer additional hours on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. to take students to the grocery stores or wherever else within town limits to gather items for the storm. Safe Ride plans to operate normal hours on Saturday night from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. but will evaluate conditions hourly. If Saturday Safe Ride does have to end early, the Safe Ride Instagram will be updated to reflect the shortened hours. The Safe Ride Instagram and is the best way for students to receive any updates on operations.

Road Conditions

Students and staff should avoid car travel and be extremely careful about moving about on foot during and after the storm as hazardous conditions persist. Live road conditions can be found on the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration webpage.

Food Service

Food Service and Retail Operations schedules will return to normal hours starting Wednesday morning January 28th. Hodson Hall is OPEN as follows:

- Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Continental from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Mid-Meal from 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- FRESHENS is open from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
- JAVA is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- SOPHIE’S is open regular hours
- Craft Hours are from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Programming

Because students are likely to be restricted in their mobility, RAs will be hosting a variety of social and recreational activities. There were also be activities in several common spaces around campus:

Intercultural Center - Quiet Relaxation

Stop by the Interfaith Room at the Intercultural Center this weekend for some winter coloring sheets.
Markers, color pencils, and crayons are available.

Hodson - Socialize with Friends

Grab a brownie baking kit from George’s Free Store.
Fresh meals have also been added to the Free Store fridge.
Put together puzzles or play tabletop games at The Nest.
Get your hands dirty with painting crafts at the Work Room outside the Student Affairs Suite.

Cain Gym - Get Active

Pickleball, basketball, and futsal can all be played with the necessary equipment available.