UNA, A&M closing Friday; UAH transitions to remote operations

FLORENCE — University of North Alabama officials announced that its offices will be closed and normal operations suspended Friday due to the threat of snow and ice. 

There will be no face-to-face classes, but faculty may choose to continue instruction online using Canvas.

Meanwhile, the University of Alabama in Huntsville said it will operate remotely with virtual learning Friday.

According to UAH officials, all courses will be held in accordance with instructional continuity plans; no classes will meet on campus. Supervisors should allow remote work where possible.

Alabama A&M University officials said the university will be closed Friday. Residence halls scheduled to open Saturday will now open Monday. Students will return to class Monday.

UNA department supervisors are already contacting emergency and critical services personnel to ensure staffing at a level sufficient to meet campus safety needs and provide for residential students.

Teams from Maintenance, Grounds & UNA Police have been working to remove possible freeze hazards, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. KC White said. In addition, UNA has made the following arrangements:

• Equipment is being mobilized into strategic locations to ensure access.
• Grounds staff are being staged & may stay overnight for quick removal of snow along roadways & pedestrian pathways before it has a chance to melt and re-freeze Saturday morning.
• Focus will be given to all Housing locations first to ensure all have access to Mane Market & Create.
• Maintenance staff will be staged as needed.
• University Police are working with Emergency Management Agency (EMA) & other emergency personnel for potential mobilization, if necessary, over the weekend.
• Chartwells dining service is staging staff to stay overnight, if necessary, to ensure meals continue at Mane Market, the university’s cafeteria.
• A shuttle is planned to transport students from Appleby East, Appleby West & Lafayette residence halls to Mane Market on Saturday & Sunday, if necessary.
• The shuttle will operate Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 1 to 7 pm.

White encouraged students, staff, and families to monitor their UNA email, UNA social media, and the una.edu website for updates and announcements regarding weather. UNA will continue to monitor conditions over the weekend with the next update on campus operations posted on Sunday afternoon, she added.

At UAH, the Early Learning Center and the bookstore will be closed.

Hours of operation for on-campus dining facilities can be found on the UAH Dining Services webpage.