Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Universities Offer Warming Stations to Those Without Power

  • By Matt Jones
  • 02/18/21

A series of winter storms blew through the U.S. this week, bringing record-breaking low temperatures and leaving millions without electricity. In response, many universities are setting up warming stations to give both students and the community at large a place to take refuge against the cold.

Texas A&M University welcomed individuals and families from College Station to Reed Arena, the home site of its men’s and women’s basketball teams. The university noted that, upon opening, there would be “minimal amenities” available—that is, no cots, food, or warm beverages. The facility was warmed to 70 degrees and was expected to remain open until at least noon on Friday, Feb. 19. The university strongly recommended bringing masks to wear while indoors, and they stated that social distancing procedures would still be put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Warming centers

The University of Texas at San Antonio offered up the JPL Library and the ground floor of its Main Building. It welcomed students, faculty, and staff to set up camp, recharge any necessary devices, and access the WiFi network between Wednesday, Feb. 17, and Friday, Feb. 19. The university did note that because of the campus closure and COVID-related concerns, the warming stations would not be available overnight.

Meanwhile, Texas State University made use of its campus shuttles as “warming buses” for students living on and off campus. They stationed the buses at various places on or near campus, cautioning students that the temporary shelters were for daytime use only. The university continued to deploy new buses at new locations into Wednesday evening. All campus COVID-19 protocols, including mask-wearing and physical distancing, remained mandatory.

Eastern Kentucky University opened the EKU Student Recreation Center to university employees, students, and their immediate family members from the same household. The warming station is available during normal hours of operation through at least Sunday, Feb. 21. Again, all coronavirus-related precautions remain in place.

More warming centers continue to open as the need arises. Check with your local college campus or local news stations if you and your family need a place to keep warm.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • Construction Begins on New University Research Vessel

    Boat-building company All American Marine recently announced that it has begun construction on a new catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) in Port Aransas, Texas, according to a news release.

  • DFW-Area District Opens New Replacement Middle School

    The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District near Fort Worth, Texas, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new replacement middle school campus, according to a news release. The new facility for Wayside Middle School, originally established in 1964, was built on the site of the former district administration building and funded through Bond Proposition A in 2023.

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.