Winter Storm Delays Wednesday’s Start

Charles River Campus opens at 11 a.m., Medical Campus open as usual

Boston University BU, Marsh Plaza, snow day, Boston weather

Boston could get up to 14 inches of snow by midday Wednesday. Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

January 21, 2014
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The winter storm that is dumping up to 14 inches of snow on parts of the Boston area has persuaded University administrators to call for a late start on Wednesday. All normal academic and administrative activities (e.g., classes, seminars, and meetings) scheduled to take place on the Charles River Campus before 11 a.m. have been canceled. Academic and administrative operations that are normally scheduled to occur after 11 a.m. will meet as scheduled.

Peter Fiedler (COM’77), the University’s vice president for administrative services, says employees in essential services must report as scheduled. Essential services include, but are not limited to, BU Police, Facilities Management & Planning, Dining Services, Mail Services, Student Health Services, Environmental Health & Safety, and the University switchboard.

The Medical Campus will be operate on its regular schedule. Staff should check with their managers regarding work schedules. Medical students who are assigned to inpatient services are expected to be present, if possible. Students who are assigned to outpatient services should check with their course director or the policy at the clinical site. The Goldman School of Dental Medicine will follow normal school hours. All treatment centers will be open for patient care, and all classes will be held as scheduled. Find detailed information on the Boston University Medical Campus here.

Update: Mugar Memorial Library opened at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. The Science & Engineering Library opened at 8:30. The Pickering Educational Resources Library, the Pardee Management Library, and the Stone Science Library, will open at 11 a.m., as will FitRec. All residential dining facilities will operate on normal schedules, as will the BUS (the BU Shuttle). Any changes to the BUS schedule will be posted on the BU Shuttle website. Shuttle updates are also available on Twitter at @BUShuttle.

The storm, which hit the Boston area Tuesday evening, is expected to end by mid morning on Wednesday, leaving the heaviest accumulations to the south of Boston. It will be accompanied by high winds that are expected to cause blizzard-like conditions, followed by arctic air that will keep temperatures in the teens and low 20s through Friday. Wind chill factors are expected to be between zero and minus 11 degrees all day on Wednesday. Health experts warn that the extreme cold expected to arrive tomorrow puts people at risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

Students are urged to refrain from using candles in the event of a power outage. Students living off campus should make sure they have smoke detectors, flashlights, and batteries for both. BU’s safety website details the University’s fire regulations and fire safety advice.

Update: The City of Boston Snow Emergency Parking Ban was lifted at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Surface parking lots are now available.

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There are 49 comments on Winter Storm Delays Wednesday’s Start

  3. “Health experts warn that the extreme cold expected to arrive tomorrow puts people at risk of frostbite and hypothermia.”

    A delay? That’s it? Seriously, BU? Arctic air is FOLLOWING the storm. Frostbite risk and hypothermia risk don’t go away because the snow stops…so why do we have classes at all???

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      1. I’m a native New Englander and I’m overloading. Believe me, I’ve got no issues going to class, and I know how to layer. There’s a difference between adding layers for a cold day and having a major risk of getting frostbite or hypothermia from going outside.

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      1. No… they aren’t.

        Harvard:
        Due to the snow storm approaching the Cambridge/Boston area, Harvard University will delay opening on Wednesday, January 22 and ask all non-essential personnel to not report to work until 11 a.m. But modified schedules and staffing plans will vary across the Schools, so please look for more specific information from your local leaders.

        MIT:
        MIT will be open on Wednesday, Jan. 22. However, due to the snowstorm, the Institute will follow the Excused Lateness Policy for the day shift: Employees who are late in reporting to work because of the snow will be paid for the hours they were normally scheduled to work. No disciplinary action will be taken for tardiness. No special code is used and hours for excused lateness are simply recorded as hours worked.

        Lesley:
        For tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22, 2014, we are anticipating a delayed opening, with an early morning decision to be made regarding the opening time. Prior to making that decision, we will assess weather and transportation conditions

        Boston College:
        BC Weather Alert. Delayed Start. Because of the winter storm, classes will begin and offices will open Wednesday at 11 am.

        Northeastern:
        Tomorrow morning (Wednesday), the Boston campus will have a delayed opening – classes scheduled to start before 10:00 a.m. are canceled and business offices will open at 10:00 a.m.
        ——————————————

        I know folks want the day off because, hey, days off are fun but don’t try and lie and claim “several other Boston colleges” are closed. It’s blatantly untrue. Also, some of us actually want the education we’re paying for.

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  4. I don’t appreciate BU’s reluctance to cancel school. Not every student at the university lives in student housing right on Comm Ave. I commute an hour and fifteen minutes on a normal day… it is unfair to expect commuting students to be there in 14 inches of snow – not to mention unsafe!

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    1. This is so true. Medical campus is not even delayed. I commute too and it is going to be ridiculously dangerous out on the road tomorrow. Why is BU so inconsiderate?

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      2. Nope! We had a great first class. The prof checked in with us half way through to make sure everyone felt safe continuing based on current weather conditions and we unanimously decided to. Because, you know… education and all that.

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    3. I commute from over an hour away…and layers do not stop frostbite on exposed skin. As tempting as it may be to dress up from head to toe to walk from building to building, I prefer feeling like the institution I attend is invested in my well being, not only mentally but physically as well

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  5. “Health experts warn that the extreme cold expected to arrive tomorrow puts people at risk of frostbite and hypothermia.”

    Not the best idea to describe the negative health effects of being outside tomorrow in an article about how we’ll all have to be outside tomorrow for classes.

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  7. News stations and weather reports state that the worst of the storm will hit in the morning. I think it’s a poor decision to not just cancel for the day to ensure everyone’s safety. A disclaimer to use your better judgement when traveling and bundle up to avoid hypothermia just doesn’t sound responsible on the universities part. I often question why the administrators that make these decisions focus more on the students and staff that live on campus and not on the students and staff that have to commute to the university. I also agree with Jane, no official communication from the university notifying us of this delayed opening. How would we know to check BU Today?

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    1. No, the bus will run as is normally scheduled. Any changes to the BU Bus schedule will be posted on the BU Shuttle website. Shuttle updates are also available on Twitter @BUShuttle.

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  12. With all the talk of One Boston University, it seems very unfair that BU employees who happen to work on the Medical Campus are treated differently. Why can’t we have one decision for all?

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    1. Because there are people who are ill and need to be treated. Maybe you’re administrative or not a doctor, but you being there might be important. It’s a drawback of the healthcare industry. Long shifts and awkward hours.

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  13. The storm isn’t even going to end until mid-morning. Then we have to wait for plows to plow our streets. I don’t see how getting to BU by 11:00 is possible if you live on the South Shore. This is certainly irresponsible on BU’s part. What if it is impossible to make it safely by 11:00?

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  14. Wow, a lot of whiners out there. They must be use to there parents holding their hands to get to class. One of the main reasons for the late start is for the commuters. That gives them a lot more time to get classes enabling them drive safer and to plan accordingly.

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    1. It’s not just the commuting students they need to worry about—it’s also the multitude of employees that live all around the state. I, for one, have doubts that I’ll be able to get my car out of the driveway, let alone navigate the streets.

      Bad call, just like in December.

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  15. Just another commuter voicing his frustration with this decision. Hopefully the BU administrators will realize they’re making a stupid decision and just give us the day off.

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  18. These are all very valid points. Not only does it affect students, but employees as well. The worst of the storm has yet to hit and if you combine the heavy snow accumulation with the below freezing temperatures, you’re putting many individuals at risk. I certainly hope that the administration changes the status to canceled for the safety of students and employees, especially those who have a long commute. BU, in the end, it’s important to bear in mind the safety of everyone over how many hours are put in for classes and work. Follow suit with the rest of Boston.

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  21. So true about commuters. I used to commute, and there were days when it took me 2.5 to 3 hours to drive to school (when it was normally a 30 min commute) – not to mention a few scary moments driving in terrible conditions… And also, I’d just like to express my appreciation for the poor BU maintenance workers who will be out there in the wee hours clearing the roads/walkways for all of us!

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  23. I’m very happy with BU’s decision. They delayed start gives commuting students and employees more time to deal with clearing their vehicles/driveways and navigating the roads. However, this avoid needlessly rescheduling a lot more classes. Given the conditions, anyone who lives where it was worse is reminded to use their best judgment – if you live on the South Shore and roads are still very difficult to navigate, you probably shouldn’t. Especially given that we woke up this morning and it was over, I’m glad that BU does not cancel the day needlessly. So thank you, BU, for not cancelling but still looking out for students and employees!

    (The only thing you might want to improve is to make it more clear if classes that start before 11 but do not end by 11 are still held – I know a number of people who were confused.)

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