Current Status: The college is operating under normal conditions.
Closings Communicated via Laurel Ridge Alert
Our College issues an alert message when we experience inclement weather or other emergencies, and information about the situation is posted on this page. Because of limited character length, our messages through the Laurel Ridge Alert system will provide critical and abbreviated information and direct you to visit this page for more details. Emails to employees and social media posts will include additional information, and will refer people to this page.
- Sign up for text / email alerts at Laurel Ridge Alert or by texting laurelalert (all one word) to 226787 to receive alerts from Laurel Ridge Community College.
- Message and data rates may apply. Text messages are sent on an as-needed basis. This service is provided per the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
- To opt-out of Laurel Ridge Alert, you can delete the mobile phone number from your profile at Laurel Ridge Alert or text STOP to 226787 from your registered mobile phone.
- Laurel Ridge does not charge for this service, however, your mobile phone company may charge for text messages. Please refer to your mobile phone’s service plan for more information.
- Visit smart911.com to create your free safety profile.
Weather Announcement Processes
In the event of an emergency closing due to inclement weather, the following announcement will be made through the College Alert System:
- Laurel Ridge locations are closed due to inclement weather. Visit laurelridge.edu/weather for more info.
Additional information will be included in emails, social media posts, and on the weather website:
Laurel Ridge locations are closed due to inclement weather. Visit laurelridge.edu/weather for more info.
Students:
- No in-person classes, labs, or services at college locations
- Look for communication in Canvas or through email from your instructor for any further details about your class
Employees:
- No in-person classes, labs, or services at college locations
- Essential employees should report to work as directed by their supervisor
- All other employees with telework agreements should transition to remote work unless utilizing liberal leave
- Liberal leave is in effect
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This information relates to questions that our students and employees frequently ask. We share them with you for your convenience.
Is it safe to travel to the College?
The College’s operating schedule will be updated as needed based on weather conditions and other emergencies. In the case of inclement weather, regardless of the decision, all students and employees should use their own judgment to determine whether or not it is safe to travel. Please keep your instructors or supervisor informed.
Where can I find out what happens during a closing for weather?
Please visit this page (https://laurelridge.edu/weather) for additional details. Information will be posted here. Announcements are added to the website homepage immediately. Frequently clearing the cache on your browser will allow new announcements to appear. You also can try changing browsers.
What happens with online classes during weather closings?
Online classes operate as normal during weather-related events. We understand this can cause unanticipated childcare, work or other personal challenges. We ask professors to use their discretion in enforcing assignment deadlines.
What happens to classes that were scheduled to meet on-campus or at one of our locations during weather closings?
Classes meeting on campus or at one of our locations will not meet in-person at that location. Professors may choose to continue the class online, occasionally in real-time using Zoom or a similar videoconferencing app. Students, please look for communication in Canvas or through email from your instructor for further information about your class. We understand this can cause unanticipated childcare, work or other personal challenges. We ask professors to use their discretion in enforcing assignment deadlines.
What happens to in-person student services such as advising, registration, financial aid, and the library during weather closings?
These services will continue to be available online, except in the rare event of state of emergency.
What are the College ‘locations’?
College locations include the Middletown Campus, the Fauquier Campus, and the Luray-Page County Center. Sometimes only one of these locations will be closed or delayed, based on the situation. In these rare cases, the Laurel Ridge Alert message and this website will clearly identify which location is impacted.
Other locations where College classes take place, such as Vint Hill, the Shihadeh Innovation Center, clinical placement sites, driving ranges and more, may have different closing schedules, based on the situation. Students and employees who have questions about one of these other locations are encouraged to contact their instructor or supervisor for more information.
What happens during a state of emergency?
During the rare event of a state of emergency that results in us being unable to continue online courses and services, information will be shared via the alert system.
How does the College make the decision to close due to inclement weather?
When making the closing or delay decisions, we take into consideration a number of factors, including weather forecasts, road conditions, the condition of our parking lots and what other schools are doing. We are also sensitive to the faculty’s request to hold classes when possible so that material for courses can be covered during the term. Balancing all of these concerns, we do our best to make decisions that will positively impact the largest number of students and employees. The team that makes the inclement weather-related decisions is comprised of the College president, the vice president of finance and administration, and other members of the emergency response team.
The College tries to make decisions in the evening, taking into account that students, faculty and staff need time to make proper arrangements. But when there is a lot of situational uncertainty, we wait to get the latest morning forecast. In that case, the emergency response team makes the decision of whether to delay or close schools by approximately 4:30 a.m.