Elon University Cancels Feb. 3 In-Person Classes, Closes Offices

Elon canceled in-person undergraduate and graduate class meetings scheduled for Feb. 3 and closed most university offices as a precaution, Vice President for Student Life Dr. Jon Dooley said in an email sent Feb. 2. The university described the move as “out of an abundance of caution” and said it is “planning for university operations to resume on schedule Feb. 4.”

The announcement follows significant snowfall on campus at the end of January and a National Weather Service winter-storm warning that affected the area through the start of February. Campus communications say the Feb. 3 closures are part of responses to that winter storm, and Dooley closed his message with, “This is our last expected email update for this winter storm.”

Operational exceptions and service hours were spelled out for students and staff. University offices are closed Feb. 3 except for Belk Library, Campus Recreation and the Moseley Center. Dining halls will be open, Mail Services will be closed, and Student Health Services will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Elon Express Shuttles will not operate, affecting students who rely on shuttle routes to travel between campus locations and off-campus housing.

Students were asked to check with faculty for class continuity plans. “Students should check with instructors for further information about alternative plans, which could include the option for online meetings during the scheduled class time, out-of-class activities, readings or other assignments.” The university’s guidance leaves flexibility for instructors to move short-term instruction online or assign alternative work to keep courses on track while in-person meetings are suspended.

Parking and access rules are also in force. Dooley instructed students that “students should park only in the lot where their vehicle is assigned. There should be no student parking in Faculty/Staff lots, even during evening hours.” That restriction aims to preserve access for campus staff who continue to operate essential services during the closures.

Dooley acknowledged the work of campus teams sustaining operations during the disruption: “Thank you to the staff in Facilities Management, Campus Safety and Police, Elon Dining, Student Life, the Library, and Information Technology for their work to continue campus operations during the class cancellations yesterday and today. And thank you to everyone for your patience and flexibility through the unexpected disruption.” The message is signed Dr. Jon Dooley, Vice President for Student Life, with a contact email of jdooley4@elon.edu.

The closures reverberate beyond Elon. The Alamance-Burlington School System announced that Feb. 3 would not include remote learning for students, giving teachers an optional workday and canceling athletic and after-school activities, a separate local decision that affects families and caregivers in the community.

For students and residents, the immediate priorities are access to health care and food on campus, transport planning given shuttle suspensions, and keeping up with instructors’ alternate assignments. With the university planning to resume operations on Feb. 4, expect normal schedules to return barring further weather impacts; monitor official Elon communications and contact Dr. Jon Dooley’s office for questions or clarification.