Following a two-day closingthe first since the Blizzard of 1996West Virginia University opened for business and classes Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Faculty, staff and students were urged to use caution on area roadways, and supervisors and faculty were asked to be understanding and lenient regarding absences due to weather-related circumstances. Employees who cannot return may take annual leave with the permission of their supervisors, officials said, and students should stay in contact with professors through email, if possible.

“We’ve had crews working around the clock to get our physical plant in decent shape to open,”said Becky Lofstead, director of News and Information Services.”The campus lots, roadways and sidewalks for the most part are in pretty good shape. This is not an easy decision, and we know there will be some students and employees who will not be able to make it Wednesday, but we also have thousands of students and employees on or near campus that are ready to get back to class and work. So, we will open for business and classes on Wednesday.”

And while the WVU Visitors Center will be open Wednesday, no campus tours will be given.