Blizzard Warning/Important Update Regarding Classes and Campus Operations

The National Weather Service (NWS) has upgraded its forecast to a Blizzard Warningfor New York City and its surrounding areas beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 22 through 6 p.m. Monday, February 23. The updated forecast calls for blizzard conditions, with total snow accumulations predicted between 17 and 24 inches and winds gusting as high as 60 mph. The City of New York has issued a state of emergency and travel ban beginning at 9 p.m. tonight and ending at noon on Monday.

Given this forecast and travel restrictions, Columbia University is advising of the following updates:

• After careful review of operational and safety considerations, we have determined that all campuses will pivot to remote instruction tomorrow, February 23.
• Students will hear directly from their centers, schools, and instructors with additional details.
• Essential personnel are expected to report to work, consistent with University Policy. If you have any questions about where you are working during the snow, or whether or not your position is classified as essential, please check with your supervisor. All other employees are expected to work remotely to the extent possible.

Campus Operations

Campus snow removal crews are mobilized and prepared to begin snow removal as soon as the snowfall begins with all campuses expected to remain accessible throughout the storm. Given expected snow conditions, please exercise extreme caution if traveling through campus.

Below we have noted changes to select campus services on Sunday and Monday. Before visiting these campus locations or attending a scheduled event, we encourage you to check the appropriate websites or with event organizers for any additional status updates.

Morningside and Manhattanville Campus Updates

• Libraries: Butler Library will remain open as a 24-hour study space. On Sunday, February 22, all other library locations will close at 5 p.m. On Monday, February 23, library locations will re-open as conditions permit. Please check hours before visiting.
• Dodge Fitness Center: Please check the Dodge Fitness Center website for any changes to operating hours prior to your visit.
• Columbia Health: will be available primarily via telehealth. Most in-person drop-in hours are cancelled. Please check health.columbia.edu for hours and service updates.
• Columbia Dining: John Jay, JJ’s Place, and Ferris Booth Commons are open today. Fac Shack and Johnny’s food trucks will be closed. Check the Columbia Dining website for the latest updates.
• There may be changes to campus entrances due to weather conditions. Check the Columbia Preparedness website and the Medical Center Operations site for the latest updates.

CUIMC Campus Updates

A detailed update will be sent to the CUIMC community following this message.

University Shuttle Updates

Shuttle service may be impacted by the storm. The Lamont Shuttle will not operate on Monday, February 23. Other shuttles may be delayed tomorrow. Monitor the Evening Shuttle app and TripShot app for real-time alerts.

Travel Advisory

A travel ban will be in effect in New York City beginning at 9 p.m. on February 22 and running until 12 p.m. on February 23. Please avoid all non-essential travel. The NWS expects whiteout conditions that can make travel treacherous or life-threatening. If the forecast comes to fruition, avoid traveling unless required. Visibility may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. If traveling is necessary, use mass transit when possible, check your transportation provider’s status before traveling, allow extra travel time, and exercise extreme caution.

Prepare for the Storm

Take time to secure your spaces in advance of the storm.

• Make sure all windows are closed securely. This single step may be the most important way that you can protect your spaces—and those of others—from potential damage.
• Charge your devices. High winds and the weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages.

In Case of Emergency

If you see an unsafe condition on campus, including water leaks, opened windows and doors, or other hazardous issues, please contact our Facilities Service Centers.

• At Morningside/Manhattanville, call or text 212-854-2222 or email [email protected].
• At the Medical Center, call 212-305-HELP (4357), option 3 or email [email protected].

To report an emergency on campus 24/7, call Public Safety at 212-854-5555 at Morningside, 212-853-3333 at Manhattanville, and 212-305-7979 at the Medical Center.

Stay Informed

The Emergency Management Operations Team is closely monitoring the forecast and will send updates via email messages as well as on the Columbia Preparedness site and the Medical Center Campus Status Pageshould there be adjustments to available campus entrances and other changes to University operations. We also recommend checking your school’s website for any weather-related changes.

For the latest information on weather and transit, please visit:

• The New York City Severe Weather website: nyc.gov/site/weatherupdates/index.page
• The MTA website: mta.info
• The National Weather Service: weather.gov/nyc

Please stay safe, exercise extreme caution and allow extra travel time should you need to travel, and lend a hand to anyone needing assistance.