Vanderbilt Steps Up Support During Dangerous Ice Storm

The Vanderbilt community continues to come together to help those impacted by a massive ice and snow storm that caused widespread damage across the Nashville campus and the state. The storm knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of Middle Tennessee residents, destroyed untold numbers of trees and shut down university classes for several days during the last week in January.

Ice and snow covered Vanderbilt's campus during a late January ice storm. (Vanderbilt University)

The campus was wrapped in ice after the January 2026 ice storm. (Vanderbilt University)

The campus was wrapped in ice after the January 2026 ice storm. (Vanderbilt University)

When the storm began overnight on Jan. 23, it brought freezing rain, ice and snow, creating dangerously slick conditions and power outages on parts of campus. Vanderbilt staff were prepared and jumped into action, initiating the inclement weather student services updates page and later that week opening a community campus warming center.

Vanderbilt Facilities employees worked around the clock to keep the campus safe. (Submitted photo)

The campus was wrapped in ice after the January 2026 ice storm. (Vanderbilt University)

ON-CAMPUS SUPPORT

While the campus was frozen over, nearly a thousand Vanderbilt public safety officers, facilities workers, dining employees and other staff worked on campus. Housing Facilities partnered closely with Student Affairs to ensure students and residence halls were safe during the storm and in the aftermath.

Campus Dining employees worked through the storm. (Vanderbilt University)

Ice covered the campus during the January 2026 storm, damaging numerous trees. (Vanderbilt University)

Many employees left their own homes, and stayed in nearby hotels, to keep the campus operating and safe for students, residential faculty and staff.

WARM REGARDS

Students and members of the campus community showed their deep appreciation for the work of the facilities and dining staff by creating posters and sending thank-you messages via social media.

CHANGES TO UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC CALENDAR

To make up for classes canceled during the storm, the Office of the Provost announced that spring semester classes will now conclude on Wednesday, April 22, instead of Monday, April 20. Final exams will begin on Thursday, April 23, and conclude on April 30.

The Acorn School, Vanderbilt's day care program, hosted a Zoom story time for Acorn School alumni not able to go to their elementary schools. (Submitted photo)

Campus Dining provided packets of hot chocolate and set out "snowperson stations" where students could select a carrot to use as a nose. (Submitted photo)

When area schools remained closed, The Acorn School, Vanderbilt's early childhood care and education program for children of faculty, staff and students, hosted a Zoom story time for little ones not able to go to their elementary schools.

• Learn more about services offered on the inclement weather student services updates page.
• Check out weather-related services, resources and guidelines on the University Emergency Preparedness website.