By Anette Perez and Genesis Bu-Chinchilla
Trinity Times Correspondents

The snow that blanketed Trinity Washington University over the weekend softened the campus into a winter scene, offering resident students a break from their usual pace even as closures and icy conditions reshaped daily life.

Most residential students remained on campus throughout the storm, with many opting to stay indoors on Sunday. Others ventured outside to clear snow from their vehicles, take photos or sled on campus hills.

When junior psychology major Dora Alvarez first heard about the approaching winter storm on social media, she did not anticipate how much it would affect campus operations until the university announced closures, prompting students to adjust plans around limited access to facilities and a pause in regular activities.

The 2026 winter storm, Winter Storm Fern – as named by The Weather Channel – dominated news coverage and social media throughout the week. The Weather Channel described the storm as a potentially historic and widespread system expected to cause prolonged disruptions across the region.

At Trinity, snowfall began Saturday night, with resident students waking Sunday morning to a campus covered by about 4 inches of snow. As the day progressed, conditions shifted to a wintry mix of freezing rain, ice pellets and snow.

As forecasts grew more concerning, Trinity officials took early steps to prioritize safety. Meteorologists warned of possible power outages and hazardous travel conditions as ice accumulation increased.

In a Jan. 23 email, Trinity President Patricia McGuire sent the first of several campus updates, saying the university was “monitoring all of the forecasts intensely.” The message announced an early decision to close campus Sunday, Jan. 25, advising community members not to travel for safety reasons.

Subsequent updates addressed operational details for students remaining on campus. By the following day, students were informed that the university would also be closed Monday, Jan. 26, with classes moving to a virtual format. The update noted that food services would continue, supported by facilities and security staff.

“We will keep you informed as plans evolve,” McGuire wrote. “Please join me in thanking our essential personnel in Facilities, Security, and Food Service who will be working through the storm to clear the campus and keep our residents safe, warm, and well fed.”

For students on campus, the storm brought both uncertainty and adjustment. Alvarez said she initially assumed the weather would not be severe until she saw its impact across the region and Trinity began closing facilities.

“The hardest part has been not being able to use the gym,” Alvarez said. “Other than that [my routine] hasn’t changed too much, but the food situation has been frustrating.”

As resident students prepared for the storm, questions about food access emerged. To-go meals were not available until Sunday morning, after conditions had worsened, which led some students to plan carefully around meals and travel across campus.

Jessica Tobias, Trinity’s newly appointed kitchen general manager and executive chef, said preparations began several days before the storm, with an emphasis on maintaining consistent food access for students. Tobias remained on campus throughout the storm and was provided housing to ensure her safety.

“My priority was making sure there was food available,” Tobias said. “I always think, if this were my sister or my daughter stuck on campus, how would I want them to be treated?”

Tobias added that her broader focus this semester includes creating an inclusive dining experience that reflects students’ needs, dietary preferences and feedback.

The storm also reshaped daily routines for many students. Sindy Favila-Favila, a junior information technology major, said the shutdown required advance planning and flexibility.

“At first I didn’t think it was going to snow that badly,” Favila-Favila said. “But once it started, I realized I had to plan for everything – groceries, classes, even just getting around campus.”

Like Alvarez, she said the temporary closure of the Trinity Center gym was a notable change to her routine, though the break from in-person classes was welcome.

While the storm disrupted normal schedules, it also underscored the adaptability of students and the efforts of Trinity staff to maintain a safe and supportive campus environment. From meal preparation and snow removal to maintaining security services, essential personnel remained on campus as the Trinity community navigated Winter Storm Fern together.