UK Resumes Full Operations After Winter Storm

Some students and faculty raise concerns over lingering icy conditions on campus

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:47pm

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The University of Kentucky has resumed full operations after a significant winter storm hit Lexington five days ago, but some students and faculty are expressing concerns about lingering icy conditions on campus, particularly in commuter parking lots and on sidewalks.

Why it matters

The university's decision to reopen has sparked debate, with some questioning whether the campus is truly safe for students, staff and faculty to navigate. This highlights the challenges universities face in balancing operational needs with ensuring the wellbeing of the campus community during extreme weather events.

The details

UK officials say crews are working around the clock to clear and treat areas throughout the campus, though some spots remain problematic. Students have shared photos showing icy sidewalks and parking areas, with one senior expressing shock that the university reopened given the conditions. The facilities management campus executive director acknowledged the mixed feedback and is advising anyone traveling to campus to exercise extra caution.

  • Five days ago, a significant winter storm dumped snow across Lexington.
  • On Thursday, the University of Kentucky resumed full operations.

The players

Evan Annone

A University of Kentucky student.

Gabriel Lopez

A University of Kentucky student.

Charlie Wilbers

A senior at the University of Kentucky.

Tim Armstrong

The facilities management campus executive director at the University of Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“One of the biggest snow storms I've experienced in a couple of years.”

— Evan Annone, University of Kentucky student

“Some areas of campus it's not cleared at all.”

— Gabriel Lopez, University of Kentucky student

“That's why I was just so shocked that UK opened.”

— Charlie Wilbers, University of Kentucky senior

“Good compliments, appreciate it, but there are spots here and there where our treatments didn't work.”

— Tim Armstrong, Facilities management campus executive director, University of Kentucky

“Be very careful, give yourself extra time. Maybe even consider alternate places to park and routes to take.”

— Tim Armstrong, Facilities management campus executive director, University of Kentucky

What’s next

The university is encouraging anyone who notices slippery spots on campus to report them by sending an email to snow@uky.edu.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance universities must strike between resuming normal operations and ensuring the safety of their campus communities during extreme weather events. As climate change brings more unpredictable and severe storms, institutions will need to reevaluate their emergency preparedness and snow removal protocols to better protect students, faculty and staff.