Chancellor | NewsJanuary 23, 2023

Chancellor’s Message: Jan. 24 Early Release

Earlier this afternoon, UPD Chief Ray Ottman attended a weather briefing hosted by the National Weather Service. As a result of their predictions, I am authorizing an early release from work and classes at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24.

Classes normally held between 2 p.m. to the end of the day will be cancelled. Classes in progress should conclude no later than 2 p.m. Online classes will still be held as normally scheduled unless you are notified of a cancellation by your professor.

Weather Prediction

Rain in area Tuesday 6 am to noon turning to snow noon to 6.  Heavier snow will fall Tuesday evening tapering off around midnight.  We are expecting 3-6 inches of heavy, wet snow in the River Valley. North of the River Valley, the prediction is for 10-12 inches of the heavy, wet snow and travel in the region will be questionable.  The drive home Tuesday will be impacted and our early release should allow employees to get home before local schools release students and well before the 5 p.m. commute. 

Tuesday morning, we will continue to monitor storm tracking. No later than 2 p.m. on Tuesday I will announce the status of campus operations for Wednesday (i.e. open for regular operations, closed, or late opening).

Employees: Please plan to take a laptop or other work so you can work from home, if necessary, on Tuesday afternoon and/or Wednesday. If you live in NWA and worry about driving conditions, please contact your supervisor and make necessary arrangements to work from home or leave work earlier than 2 p.m. on Tuesday based on the heavy snow accumulation expected north of I-40.

Boreham Library, the RAWC, and other campus facilities will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday with plans to reopen on Wednesday depending on the forecast.

Food service will be provided in the Lion’s Den on Tuesday after 2 p.m.

Basketball players/teams: Please contact your coaches about your new travel times for out-of-town competitions (Go Lions!).

University Police will have individuals on duty throughout the weather event. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact their non-emergency phone number at 479-788-7140.

Thank you, and stay safe out there Lions!

Terisa C. Riley, Ph.D.

• Tags:
• Snow
• Inclement Weather
• Weather Alert