West Virginia University has canceled all classes for Monday (Jan. 25), however operations will resume at 6 p.m. Monday to enable workers to adequately prepare the campus for classes and normal operations to resume on Tuesday (Jan. 26).

“Even though the storm has passed, the campus and surrounding areas remain covered by up to 2 feet of snow, and authorities are still recommending limited travel due to expected icy roads,” said Narvel Weese, vice president of administration and finance. “Additionally, it will take significant time to prepare the campus for the return of 30,000 students and 6,000 faculty and staff – roads, parking lots, doorways and sidewalks need to be thoroughly cleared and tons of snow removed.

“Accordingly we believe it is prudent to delay reopening until 6 p.m. Monday,” he said. “In the meantime, we will continue to monitor conditions.” He also reminded students, faculty and staff to keep safety uppermost in their minds and to use good judgment in making travel decisions.

Some operations have continued since the University closed at 6 a.m. on Friday, often with reduced staffing or hours. Those open include the Student Recreation Center, WVU Libraries, residence halls, dining services, the Mountainlair, roads and grounds and other essential operations.

Weese repeated his thanks to the employees who have worked to prepare for and operate during the near-record snow storm.

For employees needed on campus, if weather conditions prevent them from getting to work or arriving on time, they should notify their supervisor as soon as possible and prior to the start of the shift.

WVU Extension Offices should follow Extension’s inclement weather policy. The County Program Coordinator in each county will communicate individual county closures.

While normal operations, including classes, are now scheduled for Tuesday, students, faculty and staff should stay tuned to local broadcast stations, WVU Web sites (http://students.wvu.edu, www.wvu.edu, wvutoday.wvu.edu) and social media outlets (@WVUToday and @WestVirginiaU on Twitter and www.facebook.com/wvumountaineers on Facebook), for the latest information. They should also monitor the WVU emergency text message system. (To sign up for the emergency message system, go to http://emergency.wvu.edu/signup.)

The delayed reopening also means the invitation-only Admitted Student Days scheduled for Monday has been canceled.

In addition, West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery will resume operations at 6 a.m. Monday (Jan. 25), but all classes are canceled. Potomac State College in Keyser will remain closed until Tuesday (Jan. 26).

-WVU-

jb/01/24/16

CONTACT: WVU University Relations/News
304.293.6997

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.