Classes Beginning at 4:00 p.m. or Later Canceled Today, March 7, 2018

The Winter Storm Warning for New York City and surrounding areas issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) remains active with increased estimates of snowfall to 7-11 inches and hazardous travel conditions later this afternoon.

Due to these changing conditions, classes at Morningside campus and the Medical Center beginning at 4:00 p.m. or later are canceled. We expect normal operations and class schedules to resume tomorrow, Thursday, March 8.                                                                                                 

• We encourage students with classes scheduled beginning at 4:00 p.m. or later to check in with their professors, as some classes may be held virtually via web conference. 
• Departments are encouraged to release non-essential personnel by 4:00 p.m. where operational needs allow, or as necessary to allow for a longer commute.
• Essential personnel are expected to work as directed by their supervisors, consistent with University Policy. 
• Campus buildings will remain open per their normal operating schedules.

Please be aware of these additional operational changes occurring today in relation to the weather:

Morningside Campus:

• The College Walk pedestrian gates (on both Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue), Earl Hall gate, 120^th Street gate, Chapel gate, and exterior staircase at the Northwest Corner Building continue to be closed for snow removal.  All other gates and regular building entrances should be available to access campus.  
• All Columbia Dining facilities are currently open. Prior to visiting a Dining facility, we suggest checking the Columbia Dining website for the latest updates as conditions change.
• Dodge Fitness Center will remain open during the storm.
• Butler Library remains open as a 24-hour study space.  All other libraries will be closed by 4:00 p.m. today.     
• The Student Mail Center in Wien Hall is closed as of 6:00 p.m. today.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

University shuttle buses:

• The Lamont Shuttle is not running today, as the Lamont campus is closed.
• The last Arbor Shuttle will depart from the Morningside campus at 4:30 p.m. today.
• The Intercampus, Manhattanville Loop, and Fort Lee shuttles will end operations as of 6:00 p.m. today.
• The Public Safety Evening Shuttle will not be operating tonight.
• Please check the Transportation website for additional impacts to the Intercampus, the Public Safety Evening Shuttle, Manhattanville Loop, Lamont, and Fort Lee shuttles prior to traveling by University shuttle.

University events and programs:

• If you are planning to attend an event on campus, please reach out to the event organizer for the latest updates as a number of events have already been cancelled.

Before You Leave

In preparation for the inclement weather, Facilities would like to remind everyone to do the following before departing this afternoon:

• Make sure all windows are closed securely. This single step may be the most important way that you can protect your work area or residence from potentially-damaging high winds. 
• Leave all radiator valves and fans coils on to ensure adequate heating and to avoid damage from freezing. Fan coils should be set to the slowest speed setting.
• Clear clothing or furniture away from heaters to avoid fires or inadequate heating that may cause freeze-ups and damage.
• Make sure all faucets are turned off to avoid frozen pipes.

In Case of Emergency:

Campus Operations will be available to assist with campus and building services. Please immediately report any unsafe conditions, such as icy areas, building floods, or falling snow from nearby buildings.  At Morningside and Manhattanville, contact the Facilities Services Center at 212-854-2222, 24 hours a day. At the Medical Center, contact Facilities Management at 212-305-HELP (4357), option 3, or after-hours call Public Safety at 212-305-8100.

For any other emergencies, please contact Public Safety at 212-854-5555 (Morningside), 212-853-3333 (Manhattanville), 212-305-7979 (CUMC), or 911 if appropriate.

Stay informed:

The EMOT team will be monitoring the storm as it unfolds and will keep you updated by email and/or text as well as via the University homepage, the Columbia Preparedness site and the Medical Center Operations site as new information becomes available that impacts you or our campus.  

Additionally, for real-time weather information, visit the National Weather Service. Stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the City's official source for emergency information, or by visiting New York City’s Severe Weather website. 

Please stay safe and exercise caution when traveling.