Gill Brooks and her 8-month-old Golden Retriever play in the snow banks in Boulder Wednesday. A record- breaking snow storm dropped 13 inches on the city by 2 p.m. (CU Independent/Lauren Walter)
Although open today, hazardous weather conditions led administrators to close the CU Boulder campus close Wednesday at 2 p.m.
CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard explained that the administration took a number of factors into consideration before deciding to close campus.
“We got to make a decision on closure based on three factors, current weather conditions, projected weather conditions and what the relative threat of safety is to the campus,” Hilliard said.
The administration began monitoring weather conditions through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a constant assessment of road conditions, Hilliard said.
“At 6 a.m. there was three inches of snow on the ground with a light snow and we made the determination not to close,” Hilliard said.
Later in the day, Provost Stein Sture, acting in the chancellor’s stead, met by phone with Vice Chancellor of Administration Frank Bruno. Sture and Bruno determined the conditions were worsening, and decided near 11:30 a.m. to close campus in order to allow students and staff to get home, Hilliard said.
Students received the news through Campus Alerts text messages by 11:50 a.m. and were also notified through the CU Connect Portal, CU Web site and e-mails.
Hilliard said the decision to close campus was not taken lightly as the university has such a large population.
“You have to remember, CU is a 37,000 [person] community,” Hilliard said. “It’s not a big high school, but like a small town. There is research going on, guest lectures, visitors; there are many things happening on campus.”
According to a CU News Center news release, Norlin Library and the UMC closed at 2 p.m. However, Wardenburg Health Center stayed open from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., and the Rec Center until 5 p.m.
The administration will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the afternoon, evening and morning to decide if the school will be closed tomorrow as well, Hilliard said. The decision will be made before 5 a.m. tomorrow morning and students will be notified by 6 a.m.
However, for all those who are hopeful for another snow day, the news may come as early as tonight, Hilliard said.
“It’s entirely possible [the news] could come earlier than that,” Hilliard said.
A Campus Alert text message informed students that CU was opening as usual on the morning of Thursday, Oct 29.
Some students have said they are disappointed at the news of the early release.
“I had to go to work at 8 [a.m] and it’s a bummer being on campus and already having to wake up only to be sent home,” said Shannon Danahey, a 21-year-old psychology major.
Lindsey Morrell, a 20-year-old integrative physiology major said she agreed.
“I’m bummed that class got cancelled,” Morrell said. “I had to take the bus this morning and it was packed and it was late, so I was late to class and for my exam this morning.”
Hilliard stressed the importance of all students remaining aware of weather conditions and staying safe.
“If you’re an inexperienced winter driver…now is not the time to test snow driving,” Hilliard said.
Services needed to maintain the health and safety of students, staff and faculty will remain open due to campus policy, according to the news release. For more information go to the CU Boulder Web site or call the Emergency Information Line at 303-492-INFO.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Rose Heaphy at Josephine.heaphy@colorado.edu.
