A wintry storm of snow, sleet and freezing rain began early yesterday morning and continued throughout the day, creating a potentially dangerous situation for local drivers and students. The weather is not expected to affect the University's operation, though the storm is predicted to continue until today.
"The presumption is that U.Va. will stay open and classes will be conducted as normal. If any change in the weather were to occur, an update will be made early [this] morning," Leonard W. Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operations officer, said yesterday.
To ensure student safety, the University had crews plowing the primary and secondary roads and walkways.
"I love plowing" the walkway, Newcomb Hall Housekeeper John Daniels said.
Daniels and all other facility personnel worked on removing the snow all of yesterday, Daniels said.
In order to prevent any mishaps for students going to classes early in the morning, the University will have additional workers plowing the roads at 6 a.m., in addition to those already working on the problem, Sandridge said.
Due to the wintry weather, University Police have been asking students to stay off the road.
"Students ought to stay off driving on the road. What often happens is that someone will end up stuck while driving and thereby make it harder for the road plows to get the job done," University Police Sgt Mike Gibson said.
The Ablemarle County and Charlottesville City Police Departments reiterated these warnings.
The City of Charlottesville's Snow Emergency Hotline warned residents to watch out for black ice, which is ice that is not visible to the human eye.
Students are told to consult one of the University Snow Lines to receive the latest news on the University's operating schedule. The snow line is reached by calling either 924-SNOW or 243-SNOW.
The University also will inform the WINA 1070 AM radio station and Channel 29 WVIR-TV, the local NBC affiliate, of any changes to its operation schedule.
University students are accustomed to not missing classes due to winter weather.
The University was closed four years ago, in January 1996, during Winter Break due to inclement weather.
In the fall of 1996, Hurricane Fran closed classes for one day as well.
Closing the University is a rare event because of the residential nature of the University, University Spokeswoman Louise Dudley said.
"There are so many services that cannot easily be closed. University Dining, ITC, Police and the Hospital all offer important services to our community," Dudley said.
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