Wake Alert

Wake Alert: Reynolda Campus closed Wednesday; virtual classes will be held

January 27, 2026 2:00 p.m. (updated on January 27, 2026 2:01 p.m.)

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus, including Wake Downtown and other University sites located in Winston-Salem, will be closed. While in-person classes will not be held, virtual classes and remote learning will take place. Faculty will communicate course-specific expectations for remote learning.

While conditions on campus have improved, road conditions across the surrounding community remain variable with refreezing happening overnight. Electrical power remains stable on and around campus, making remote learning possible.

Please continue to check your email for updates. Faculty and staff holding classes remotely will be encouraged to extend flexibility to students who may be facing their own storm-related challenges.

Campus service hours may be adjusted. Check websites for updated hours of operation for campus dining, Wellbeing Center, ZSR Library, Deacon Health, Mail Services, and WFU shuttle services. 

Staff working on the Reynolda Campus or at other Winston-Salem locations are not expected to work remotely during this campus closure unless they are already designated as essential personnel or they have duties essential to business continuity that can be performed remotely. Because each day of an extended closure may present different business continuity requirements, leaders are encouraged to contact and activate staff whose duties are essential and communicate any on-site or remote work expectations directly with team members. Visit the HR website for more detailed information for employees. 

Conditions in Charlotte may differ from those in Winston-Salem. Charlotte-based school leaders will communicate operational changes directly to impacted students, faculty, and staff.

The University will keep the community informed of any changes through Wake Alert emergency notifications. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to make sure their mobile phone number is updated and to download the Wake Safe App to receive safety and weather information. Here’s how emergency communications are shared and what you can do to stay informed.

Wake Alert: Reynolda Campus closed Tuesday; virtual classes will be held

January 26, 2026 4:22 p.m. (updated on January 26, 2026 4:22 p.m.)

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus, including Wake Downtown and other University sites located in Winston-Salem, will be closed. While in-person classes will not be held, virtual classes and remote learning will take place. Faculty will communicate course-specific expectations for remote learning.

While conditions on campus have improved, road conditions across the surrounding community remain variable, with many roads still covered in ice and snow. Electrical power remains stable on and around campus, making remote learning possible.

Deans will communicate additional information to their faculty. Please continue to check your email for additional information. Faculty and staff holding classes remotely will be encouraged to extend flexibility to students who may be facing their own storm-related challenges.

Campus service hours may be adjusted. Check websites for updated hours of operation for campus dining, Wellbeing Center, ZSR Library, Deacon Health, Mail Services, and WFU shuttle services. 

Staff are not expected to work remotely during a campus closure unless they are designated as essential personnel. This also applies to those working from a flexible work location. Managers of essential personnel should communicate any on-site or remote work expectations directly with their team members. Visit the HR website for more detailed information for employees. 

The University will keep the community informed of any changes through Wake Alert emergency notifications. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to make sure their mobile phone number is updated and to download the Wake Safe App to receive safety and weather information. Here’s how emergency communications are shared and what you can do to stay informed.

Conditions in Charlotte may differ from those in Winston-Salem. Charlotte-based school leaders will communicate operational changes directly to impacted students, faculty, and staff.

Wake Alert: Sunday weather update from Wake Forest

January 25, 2026 1:49 p.m. (updated on January 25, 2026 1:49 p.m.)

Wake Forest emergency management and University partners continue to monitor the impacts of winter weather on University operations. Ice and freezing rain are expected to continue into Sunday evening, and Wake Forest remains closed on Monday, Jan. 26.

Campus conditions and the condition of area roads will factor into decisions about the University’s operating status for Tuesday, Jan. 27. Decisions regarding classes on Tuesday, Jan. 27, will be communicated by 5 p.m. on Monday. 

Today, The Pit will be the only dining location open on campus and will be open until 8 p.m. For the latest updates, visit dining.wfu.edu. 

Other campus service hours may also be adjusted due to the weather. Check websites for updated hours of operation for the Wellbeing Center, ZSR Library, Deacon Health, Mail Services, and WFU shuttle services. 

Many roads in the region remain covered with ice and snow. Use caution if traveling and avoid travel if possible. See full recommendations for winter weather preparedness at Wake Alert.

The University will keep the community informed of any changes through Wake Alert emergency notifications. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to make sure their mobile phone number is updated and to download the Wake Safe App to receive safety and weather information. Here’s how emergency communications are shared and what you can do to stay informed.

Conditions in Charlotte may differ from those in Winston-Salem. Charlotte program managers will communicate operational changes directly to impacted students, faculty and staff.

Urgent Wake Alert: Wake Forest will be closed Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26

January 23, 2026 4:48 p.m. (updated on January 23, 2026 4:49 p.m.)

Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus, including Wake Downtown and other University sites located in Winston-Salem, will be closed on Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26, due to a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service. 

All classes and events are canceled on Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus, Wake Downtown and other University sites located in Winston-Salem. 

Current Campus Service Updates:

• Shuttle Services: Student on-call shuttle for Saturday night is paused. All shuttle services are paused on Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26, including Wake Downtown, Hanes Mall/Target/Sherwood, Student on-call, and First-Year Line.
• Parking: Do not park on Gulley Dr. or Jasper Memory Lane. First-year and sophomore students should keep vehicles parked off campus and remain in Lots Z2, Z3, and Z5. Residential students should avoid Faculty/Staff parking lots and remain parked in Lots J, Q, R1, R2, and Z.
• Campus Dining: Dining Services will operate according to its normal schedule on Saturday. Once winter weather begins, dining venues and hours may be adjusted if needed; visit dining.wfu.edu before walking to a venue to ensure it is open. Note that The Pit in Reynolda Hall will have dining hours throughout the weekend to ensure students on campus will have access to meals.
• Library: ZSR Library will maintain regular hours on Saturday. In-person services will not be available on Sunday, though access to 24-hour study rooms will continue as conditions allow. Online services will remain available with adjusted hours. Updates will be posted on the library website.
• Wellbeing Center: Adjusted hours start Saturday. Check the website for full details. 
• Local Power Outages: In the event that power outages impact off-campus student housing, the University will make designated campus spaces available for students to charge devices, access food, and find support.
• Building Access: Buildings on campus are secure. In the event of a power outage, residential communities will be locked. Once you exit a residential community, re-entry will require someone inside to manually open the door. 

Campus service hours may be adjusted due to the weather. Check websites for updated hours of operation for campus dining, the Wellbeing Center, ZSR Library, Deacon Health, Mail Services, and WFU shuttle services. 

Even though the University is closed, the emergency management team will remain actively engaged in preparing for and reacting to this weekend’s expected winter storm, ensuring continuity of essential services.

Campus Employee Information:

Staff are not expected to work remotely during a campus closure unless they are designated as essential personnel. This also applies to those working from a flexible work location. Managers of essential personnel should communicate any on-site or remote work expectations directly with their team members. Visit the HR website for more detailed information for employees. 

Future decisions:

A decision regarding operations for Tuesday, Jan. 27, will be made after assessing conditions. The University will keep the community informed of any changes through Wake Alert emergency notifications. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to make sure their mobile phone number is updated and to download the Wake Safe App to receive safety and weather information. Here’s how emergency communications are shared and what you can do to stay informed.

Additional reminders: 

Visit the Wake Alert Winter Weather Preparedness website for more information and tips for staying prepared on and off campus. 

During the winter weather event, please contact University Police only in the case of an emergency. Reserving calls for urgent situations allows officers to respond quickly where they are most needed. Non-emergency questions or concerns should be addressed once the University reopens.

Winter weather preparedness

January 22, 2026 7:12 p.m.

This comprehensive winter weather page has information and guidance for members of our campus community to help prepare for the incoming storm.