Preparation for Winter Break December 8, 2023

To: W&L Undergraduate and Law Students
From: Sidney Evans, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Congratulations on reaching the end of Fall Term/Semester!

As we anticipate Winter Break, I want to share some details about shuttle services, as well as provide reminders about Student Health Center and University Counseling Center schedules, preparing off-campus residences, and travel information.

University Shuttle Service to Regional Airports
The W&L Transportation program offers shuttle service for W&L students to/from airports based in Virginia (Charlottesville/Albemarle and Amtrak, Dulles International, Richmond International and Roanoke Regional). To reserve a shuttle space for departing campus at the end of Fall Term and arriving back to campus for the start of Winter Term, visit the Transportation Airport Shuttle Service website. All shuttle reservations should be made no later than December 17th at 11:59 pm.

Additional transportation information is available on the Transportation Services website. If you have questions about shuttle scheduling, please contact shuttle@wlu.edu.

Student Health Center and University Counseling Center Schedules
The Student Health Center (SHC) will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 15, and there will be no overnight care during the winter break. The SHC will be:

    • Closed Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17, 2023
    • Open Monday, December 18, 2023, from 9-5 pm with a nurse on duty
    • Closed Tuesday, December 19, 2023, through Friday, January 5, 2024, for the winter break
    • Open January 6-10, 2024, from 9-5 pm for daily clinical services
    • Reopening on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 9 am with 24/7 coverage and overnight care resuming
  • If you have need of emergency medical assistance when the SHC is closed, please call 911, go to the Carilion-Rockbridge Community Hospital Emergency Department located at One Health Circle in Lexington, or call the hospital switchboard at 540-458- 3300.
  • For urgent care/non-emergency medical assistance, go to Carilion-VelocityCare urgent care center at 110 Houston Street in Lexington, Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Their phone number is 540-462-3950.

The University Counseling Center (UCC) will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 15, for the winter break, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) for the remainder of that week. The UCC will resume regular hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) on Monday, January 8, 2024.

  • Mental health counseling support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the winter break by calling the counseling center at 540-458-8590 and pressing option 1.
  • For mental health emergencies, call the counseling center at 540-458-8590 and press option 1, call 911, or go to the local hospital Emergency Room
  • Public Safety (540-458-8999) may be able to assist if you have questions about accessing any of these support services when the SHC and UCC are closed.

Winter Travel
At this time of year, weather and road conditions can become a concern, especially during travel to and from homes and holiday destinations.

  • If your holiday plans include automobile travel, please use extra caution.
  • Before you start your return drive, please check the weather in your area. Road conditions in and around Lexington are available at inclementweather.wlu.edu.
  • If you are planning to travel outside the U.S., please visit the CDC Travel Health Notices website at cdc.gov/travel/notices before your trip to review any applicable travel warnings or alerts.

Preparing Off-Campus Residences
If you live off campus, please consider these tips and recommendations as you prepare to leave for winter break:

  • Lock all doors and windows.
  • Remove your spare key (if you normally leave one outside/hidden).
  • Consider taking important valuables with you.
  • Inventory/document valuable items that you do not take with you.
  • Don't turn off your heat. You may want to turn it down (check your lease as sometimes this is specified) but not off, as this can put you at risk for frozen pipes and subsequent damage.
  • Unplug computers, TVs, appliances, chargers, etc. Many items use power even when turned off.
  • If leaving your vehicle, make sure it is parked legally. Note that street parking is not always permitted for extended periods of time, especially if snow needs to be cleared.

Thank you again for contributing to a successful term. I hope you all enjoy the winter break and I look forward to seeing you again in January!