Message Archive

 

College Returns to Normal Schedule

JAN. 26, 2026 / 3:40 p.m.
FROM: drew stelljes

Dear students,

We hope you enjoyed a bit of the unexpected magic that comes with a snow day and are staying warm and safe.

The College will reopen tomorrow and operate on its normal Tuesday schedule.

Due to continued cold temperatures and the chance of drifting snow in some areas, we urge you to use extra caution when traveling to and from campus. Some surfaces of campus may be snow-covered and slippery due to wind and freezing temperatures.

The Dining Hall will be open this evening (Monday) and operating as usual. Please note that dining operations in the Steinman College Center will not be open tonight due to staffing shortages related to travel conditions.

We also ask all students who are able to do so to move their vehicles from the Ben Franklin Dining Hall parking lot to the ASFC lots to allow Facilities staff to continue snow and ice removal. We recognize that snow accumulation and plowed snow around vehicles can make this difficult. I spent time with students this afternoon as they shoveled out their cars and saw firsthand how challenging it can be. We truly appreciate everyone’s flexibility, effort, and patience.

I’ve loved seeing the fun snow-day photos many of you have shared with me, and I couldn’t resist posting a few on LinkedIn and even sharing them on the F&M family Facebook page—thank you for creating community together. 

Drew

Drew Stelljes, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs 

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Winter Weather UPDATE

JAN. 25, 2026 / 1:41 p.m.
FROM: drew stelljes

Winter has made itself very comfortable on campus, so we’re writing to share details about what to expect.

The campus will be closed on Monday to allow the Facilities and Operations team to continue their critical work of clearing snow from campus walkways, building entrances and exits, and parking lots.

Faculty may opt to hold class online, assign work in lieu of class, or cancel class altogether.

The Dining Hall will open at 9 a.m. Monday and remain open as per normal weekday hours. The following buildings are planned to be open at 4 p.m. Monday and will be available for a handful of previously scheduled student events and team practices:

• Alumni Sports & Fitness Center
• Mayser Center
• Steinman College Center
• Martin Library of the Sciences (Shadek-Fackenthal Library will remain closed Monday)

Please note that the Student Wellness Center will open at noon on Monday. 

Students are asked to move their vehicles parked in the lots behind Benjamin Franklin Dining Hall to the ASFC lots between 9 a.m. and Noon on Monday. That will give snow-moving crews time to clear those lots so students can return their vehicles to the Ben Franklin lots by Tuesday afternoon.

Please stay tuned to email, social media, and this website for updates. 

We expect to open campus on our normal schedule on Tuesday, but if the situation changes, you will receive an update by 2 p.m. Monday.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. As we clean up following this major weather event, the safety of our students remains our top concern. If you’d like to take a Snow Day and enjoy some winter fun, please head over to nearby Buchanan Park! Feel free to send me a few photos too (astellje@fandm.edu).

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Winter Weather UPDATE

JAN. 23, 2026 / 3:18 p.m.
FROM: drew stelljes

Dear Students,

Due to Sunday’s forecast of significant snowfall in Lancaster and the surrounding region, the College will be closed on Sunday to allow our Facilities and Operations team to clear snow from campus walkways, building entrances and exits, and parking lots. All events scheduled for Sunday are canceled.

The Dining Hall will remain open during its normal hours. All other campus buildings will be closed, including the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center, Steinman College Center, Shadek-Fackenthal Library, and Martin Library of the Sciences.

The Williamson Parking Lot will close on Saturday so crews can clear the lot throughout the day on Sunday.

Depending on the severity of the storm, the College may have a delayed opening or close campus on Monday. If campus is closed, faculty may hold class online, assign work in lieu of class, or cancel class altogether. A decision on Monday’s opening will be communicated by 2 p.m. Sunday.

Please stay tuned to email, social media, and fandm.edu for updates throughout the weekend.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Your safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your help in looking out for one another. Stay warm, take care, and don’t forget to enjoy a cozy snow day if you can! 

Drew

Drew Stelljes, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs

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Student Wellness Center information in anticipation for weekend winter storm

JAN. 23, 2026 / 3:01 p.m.
FROM: Amy A. Myers, M.D.

In healthcare, we learn to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

And so, in light of the anticipated winter storm this weekend, I wanted to send information about the Student Wellness Center in case we are unable to open for regular hours on Monday.

If you're unsure whether we're open on Monday, please call ahead before coming to the SWC.

If you have a scheduled appointment Monday, you will be contacted by the person you are seeing with the option to switch your visit to virtual or reschedule. 

If you are in need of care while the SWC is closed,  the following resources are available: see the student wellness center webpage on insidefandm for more information on accessing care outside of SWC hours

 Emergency: Dial 911 or go to the Emergency Department (555 N. Duke St)

Urgent: 

• PennOnDemand virtual appointments – you can schedule through the link on the webpage or by calling 215-615-2222.  (available 24/7)
• Urgent Care – you can see wait times and confirm urgent care hours by going to www.lghealthurgentcare.org.  The closest urgent care to campus is at 540 N Duke St directly across from the Emergency Department at Penn Medicine/Lancaster General
• Mental health urgent needs  – The after hours counseling service will be available during the time that we are closed and can be reached by calling the SWC and remaining on the line (717-544-9051)

Non-urgent questions and concerns

The SWC staff will be monitoring studentwellness@fandm.edu throughout the day.  If you have an active MyLGHealth account, you can also message your provider or counselor directly through your portal.

Everyone stay safe

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Winter Weather Planning

JAN. 23, 2026 / 11:01 A.M.
FROM: Drew Stelljes

As we head into the weekend, we are closely monitoring the impending winter storm and preparing appropriately. We wanted to share a few helpful notes so everyone can be ready and take good care of themselves during the winter weather ahead.

The track of the storm and projected snowfall are still developing, so please continue to monitor your F&M email for updates from the College. Additional information about campus services will be shared as it becomes available.

Please note that College staff and services (including custodial services, dining services, and snow removal) may be impacted by the storm. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding, as the College’s response may shift depending on weather conditions.

A few important reminders:

• Residential students must close room windows to prevent snow from entering and heat from escaping.
• Be sure to have snacks and drinks on hand for the duration of the weekend (see College Shuttle Service below).
• Charge phones, computers, tablets, and other essential devices.
• Residential lot behind WARE and BONCHEK: If parking behind your College House in spots closest to the building, please leave extra space when pulling in so walkways can remain clear for pedestrians.
• The ASFC and Williamson lots, as well as the former Admission lot on College Avenue next to the turf track, will be closed all day Saturday so crews can keep them clear of snow and ready for use after the storm passes.

College Shuttle Service:
The shuttle will run as scheduled on Friday and Saturday, with additional service added during earlier hours for the Lancaster Loop (Friday: 5 PM–10 PM; Saturday: 10 AM–3 PM). The Lancaster Loop includes Wegmans, Lancaster Central Market, Shops at Belmont (Target & Whole Foods), Walmart, Aldi, Park City Mall, and Asian Center Supermarket. Pick-up and drop-off will take place at the Williamson Parking Lot. We encourage you to take advantage of these runs to stock up on groceries and weekend essentials.

Thanks for being such a great community.   

Drew

Drew Stelljes, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs