Wake Alert

Wake Forest will be closed Saturday, Jan. 31, and Sunday, Feb. 1

January 30, 2026 2:39 p.m. (updated on January 30, 2026 2:39 p.m.)

Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus, including Wake Downtown and other University sites located in Winston-Salem, will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 31, and Sunday, Feb. 1, due to a winter weather warning 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. 

At this time, the men’s basketball game against NC State will be played at noon on Saturday. Shuttles will run between the campus and Joel Coliseum.

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.

Reynolda Campus Service Updates:

• Shuttle Services: All Wake Line routes will pause service early on Friday, Jan. 30 and remain paused Saturday, Jan. 31, through Sunday, Feb. 1.
• 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: 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: Updates will be posted on the library website. Access to 24-hour study rooms will continue as conditions allow. 
• Wellbeing Center: The Wellbeing Center will open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 
• Local Power Outages: If power outages affect 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:

The University will communicate on Sunday afternoon about decisions impacting Monday classes and operations.

Stay 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.

Wake Alert: Wake Forest open for on-site learning and work on Friday

January 29, 2026 2:26 p.m. (updated on January 29, 2026 2:29 p.m.)

On Friday, Jan. 30, Wake Forest will be open for on-site learning and on-site work, as travel conditions allow. We recognize that weather-related conditions continue to affect road safety to varying degrees across the region, and individuals should use their best judgment based on their personal circumstances. When travel is unsafe or conditions make it impractical to travel to campus, virtual classes, remote learning and remote work may be used at the discretion of faculty and supervisors.

Faculty will communicate course-specific expectations and are encouraged to extend reasonable flexibility to students who may be experiencing weather-related challenges. Students who face weather-related barriers or safety concerns should communicate with their professors.

Staff members who are normally scheduled to work on campus on Friday are expected to report to campus if they can do so safely. Employees scheduled to work on campus on Friday who face weather-related barriers or safety concerns should contact their supervisors as early as possible to discuss remote work or alternative arrangements.

We ask all members of our community to prioritize safety, show care for one another, and make thoughtful decisions in light of individual circumstances.

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

Shuttle operations may be limited. See the WFU shuttle services website for updates. 

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: Wake Forest open for remote learning and remote work Thursday

January 28, 2026 4:08 p.m. (updated on January 28, 2026 4:09 p.m.)

On Thursday, Jan. 29, Wake Forest will be open for remote learning and remote work. While in-person classes will not be held in Winston-Salem, virtual classes, remote learning and remote work will take place. 

Faculty will communicate course-specific expectations for remote learning and are encouraged to continue extending flexibility to students who may be facing storm-related challenges. 

Staff members who have the necessary equipment should plan to work remotely as job functions allow. Employees should contact their supervisors to discuss any challenges they may face with working remotely on Thursday. Managers of essential personnel will continue to communicate any on-site or remote work expectations directly with their team members.

While campus conditions are good, road conditions across the area vary. State and local officials report delays in treating secondary roads and neighborhoods due to the prevalence of ice and extremely low overnight temperatures. Emergency responders report delayed response times due to poor road conditions and traffic accidents.

Electrical power remains stable on and around campus, enabling remote learning and work.

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. 

Campus shuttles will run to and from Target on University Parkway on Thursday. Shuttles will operate every 30 minutes from the Shuttle Hub from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Details will be updated on the WFU shuttle service website.

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.

Community Safety Advisory: Motor Vehicle Thefts - Electric Bikes / Scooters

January 28, 2026 10:52 a.m. (updated on January 28, 2026 10:59 a.m.)

University Police are investigating three electric scooter thefts that occurred over the weekend near Manchester Plaza. A surveillance video captured the suspect’s image, but the suspect has not been identified. The suspect is believed to be working alone. 

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to report suspicious activity promptly at 336-758-5911 (emergency) or 336-758-5591 (non-emergency), through the Wake Safe App or by filing a report online. University Police is located in Alumni Hall. With immediate concerns, call the emergency number. Reports can be made for concerns about suspicious activity on or off campus.

If you have any information regarding reports of stolen scooters, please contact University Police at 336-758-559, submit a tip through the Wake Safe App, or email police@wfu.edu.

Personal safety and security precautions

• Leave your bike or e-scooter parked in well-lit areas.
• Use locks on lockers, scooters and bicycles at all times.
• Register your personal property with the University Police to discourage theft.
• Download the Wake Safe App for Android or for iPhone to easily report stolen scooters or other stolen property.
• Visit the Wake Alert website to sign up for alerts and stay up-to-date on information during an emergency.
• Familiarize yourself with the Emergency (blue light) phone locations around campus.
• Attend crime prevention programs to learn about the resources available to you.

As a reminder, e-scooters and e-bikes pose a fire hazard when stored indoors. For your own safety and the safety of others, do not bring them into residence halls, offices or campus buildings.

This Timely Warning is sent in compliance with the provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.

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.