![Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Retention & Services Jill Gerloff delivers the opening speech at her final NGWSD dinner before her retirement. “I love all of my athletes and my women's teams always show up for me, and I want to make sure that I can do something to show up for them,” Gerloff said. [File photo]](https://therambler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/OpeningSpeaker_Gerloff-1200x800.jpg)
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the DFW area beginning at 12:00 p.m. Jan. 23 and lasting until 6:00 a.m. Jan. 25.
While the storm watch ends on Sunday, the warning for travel impacts and power outages across north and central Texas leaves students and faculty wondering if the campus will be closed for classes Monday, Jan. 26.
University Spokesperson Karen Cantrell spoke about what might cause the university to close campus.
“Decisions to close the campus or adjust operations are guided by several factors including safety, campus operations, academic continuity and timing … travel conditions for students, faculty and staff, campus walkability, and first-responder access,” Cantrell said.
A campus-wide email sent by Dean of Students Gary Stout on Jan. 21. encourages students, faculty and staff to monitor their email, text notifications and the official Texas Wesleyan website for the most current information regarding campus operations.
Residence Life also sent an email to students who live on campus to inform them of possible changes should inclement weather affect campus operations.
According to the email, the dining hall is currently operating under normal hours. If the university moves to inclement weather hours, dining hours would shift to:
- Brunch: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
With roads closed, students on campus make the most of the winter weather during Spring 2023’s winter storm . [File photo] (Maliah Lacour)
Students were also advised to stock up on non-perishable food items, something many have already been doing in preparation.
“I have some groceries coming and other things I’ve already got shipped coming this week,” said freshman criminal justice major Sean Henson.
When asked how they’re preparing for this weekend senior sports communication major Jayden Williams knew exactly what they’d be doing.
“Making sure that my room’s clean, get all the groceries that I need and turning in assignments due this weekend so that’s all handled,” Williams said.
In preparation for freezing temperatures, Residence Life’s email also included the following information on preventing frozen pipes in the dorms:
- Drip your faucets.
- Set your thermostat to heat.
- Close windows.
Some students who live on campus expressed concern about the temperatures in the dorms, stating issues with the heating system in the past.
“I don’t know if that’s something wrong with the vents or the thermostat isn’t working, but sometimes it’d be cold and then my room would just be freezing,” Williams, a West Village resident, said.
As temperatures drop, another concern is ice both on sidewalks around campus and on roads.
Residence Life urges students who notice icy sidewalks outside the residence halls to contact campus security at 817–531-4911 or the RA on call.
While students may be advised not to travel off campus this weekend, Resident Life promises plenty to do in the dorms.
Resident Assistants (RAs) will be hosting activities in residence hall lobbies to provide a warm, fun space to connect during the weekend.
