Following a major winter storm that impacted much of the East Coast, Loyola experienced a four-day campus closure from Jan. 25 to Jan. 28, with campus closed except for essential services. Baltimore received around 10 inches of snow in some areas, prompting Maryland Governor Wes Moore to declare a state of emergency.
In-person classes were canceled Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, with courses resuming remotely on Jan 28, and returning to in-person classes Jan. 29. University officials said the decision was made to prioritize the safety of students, faculty, and staff amid hazardous travel conditions caused by snow and icy roads.
Dean of Undergraduate Studies Michael Puma offered insight into the university’s decision.
“As a university, we are committed to helping students thrive and achieve success. This type of weather closure can be stressful for students, and faculty are certainly aware of the challenges that can create,” Puma said.
During the campus closure, essential services including residence life, some dining operations, campus safety, and select facilities remained open to support students who live on campus and those with urgent needs. Dining halls continued limited service for campus residents, and campus police officers stayed on duty throughout the closure. These measures were taken to ensure student well-being while limiting unnecessary travel during the storm and its aftermath.
Many students said they supported the closure due to safety concerns. However, some expressed concerns about disruptions to their normal academic routines caused by several missed classes for such an extended period of time.
Kiana Frawley ’26 saw both sides of the issue.
“I think the closures were necessary for safety purposes, especially for those who have to drive. However, it’s always hard to get back into the swing of things when we aren’t in classes for so long,” Frawley said.
Community concerns grew beyond students who live on campus, particularly for commuter students and university employees who rely on roads and public transportation to travel to and from campus. Snow accumulation and icy road conditions made travel difficult across all of the Baltimore area.
Corrine Bertoglio ‘26 acknowledged the importance of the decision for those who have to drive to campus.
“I have friends who are commuters, so I am glad they were able to stay safe at home,” Bertoglio said.
Lingering snow and icy road conditions continued to raise concerns about safe travel to and from campus, even as normal campus operations began to resume. Meteorologist and Professor Molly Robey said the closure was necessary given the ongoing risks associated with this type of weather.
“It is understandable that students are worried about missing classes. However, the roads weren’t safe enough for students and faculty to drive, so the campus closure was necessary,” Robey said.
Faculty adjusted coursework and schedules to accommodate the disruption caused by the weather. Student organizations and campus events were also rescheduled or postponed as Loyola focused on keeping students safe.
Loyola urged their students to contact campus safety in case of an emergency.
If you are in an emergency or need to report an incident, contact Loyola Public Safety at 410-617-5911 (emergency) or 410-617-5010 (non-emergency). Please do not respond to Greyhound Alerts emails. Questions about an incident can be forwarded to Loyola Public Safety at 410-617-5010.