UPDATE (2/12 at 4:30 p.m.):
Emory University will close Thursday, Feb. 13 due to "continuing severe weather and adverse travel conditions," according to an email sent today by Nancy Seideman, Emory's interim vice president for communications and marketing.
Karen Salisbury, chief of staff for Campus Services said that this batch of ice poses a different problem for her staff.
"There's a whole different level of concern this time, because we've been focusing on potential of losing power," Salisbury said. "If we lose power, for example, in the steam plant, then we can reroute system and prioritize where the heat goes."
Salisbury added that while Emory Hospital is first priority, Campus Services remains in constant contact with housing and Campus Life officials to ensure contingencies are in place.
"We've got a great infrastructure in place for these types of situations," Salisbury said. "We are just going through all the 'what-if' scenarios just in case."
In addition to road crews clearing the surrounding streets, campus grounds crews have been working since 5:30 a.m. to keep entrances and pathways to residence halls and the Dobbs University Center open and clear.
"We want students to enjoy the snow and the break, but our main goal is for everyone to be safe," Salisbury said.
The following student services will be open during certain times Thursday, according to an email from Andy Wilson, senior associate dean for External Relations:
- Dobbs University Center: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Dobbs Market: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
- SAAC Cafe: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Student Activity and Academic Center: 7 a.m.-midnight
- Student Health Services: Closed but on call. According to the statement: During a closure and after hours, we have an on-call Student Health physician available for urgent medical problems or concerns. To reach the physician, students, families or staff should call (404) 727-7551 and select Option 0 (zero) to have the paging operator page our physician.
- Transportation: Updated information may be found here.
- Woodruff P.E. Center: Check here for special announcements.
Emory University will close Wednesday, Feb. 12 due to anticipated severe weather conditions, according to an email sent today by Nancy Seideman, Emory's interim vice president for communications and marketing.
According to an email sent from Gary Hauk, Emory's vice president and deputy to the president, the decision to close tomorrow was made based on the following weather analysis from the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR):
- Temperature will drop tonight below freezing with precipitation beginning overnight.
- Temperature will remain at or below freezing throughout the day Wednesday.
- One to two inches of snow are predicted for metro Atlanta.
- Up to one-half inch of ice is predicted in metro Atlanta.
- Windy conditions will prevail.
- Temperatures will not be above freezing until Thursday afternoon.
- Oxford will be hit harder than Atlanta.
- Significant potential for loss of tree limbs, loss of power lines and power failures.
Shartar also provided tips for the Emory community to stay prepared for the next few days, including avoiding driving, moving cars away from trees and being aware of areas with emergency lighting in case of power failure.
The following student services will be open during certain times Wednesday, according to an email from David Furhman, senior director of Emory's Food Service Administration and an email from Andy Wilson, Senior Associate Dean for External Relations:
- Dobbs University Center: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Dobbs Market: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
- SAAC Cafe: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Student Activity and Academic Center: 7 a.m.-midnight
- Student Health Services: Closed but on call. According to the statement: During a closure and after hours, we have an on-call Student Health physician available for urgent medical problems or concerns. To reach the physician, students, families or staff should call (404) 727-7551 and select Option 0 (zero) to have the paging operator page our physician.
- Transportation: Updated information may be found here.
- Woodruff P.E. Center: Check here for special announcements.
Though the University will be closed Tuesday, the following student services will be open during certain times, according to a statement from Andy Wilson, senior associate dean for external relations in the Division of Campus Life:
- Dobbs University Center: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Dobbs Market: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
- SAAC Cafe: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Starbucks: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Dunkin Donuts: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Zaya at Dooley's Depot: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Highland Bakery: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Student Activity and Academic Center: 7 a.m.-Midnight
- Student Health Services: Closed but on call. According to the statement: "During a closure and after hours, we have an on-call Student Health physician available for urgent medical problems or concerns. To reach the physician, students, families or staff should call (404) 727-7551 and select Option 0 (zero) to have the paging operator page our physician."
The University will, however, remain open for classes and activities on Monday night.
On Tuesday, Emory Healthcare staff will report to work to prevent interruptions to patient services, the email said. Employees are encouraged to take public transportation or shuttles to work if possible, and updates will be communicated via email and the Emory Healthcare intranet, according to Holly Korschun, director of research communications for Woodruff Health Sciences Center.
The Dobbs University Center will stay open for food but meetings are cancelled, according to flyers posted on the doors of the building.
Hauk wrote in an email to the Wheel that the Woodruff P.E. Center and libraries will be closed Tuesday as well.
He wrote that the University is closing out of "abundance of caution" for the Emory community.
"We do not want to expose members of the Emory community to the possibility of a repeat of the city's experience two weeks ago," Hauk wrote. "Moreover, many surrounding public school districts [announced] early Monday that they would close on Tuesday, creating a child-care issue and potential hardship for a number of employees."
In anticipation of accumulating snow and ice, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a weather-related state of emergency for 45 Metro Atlanta counties, including DeKalb County, where Emory is located.
Two weeks ago, Emory was also closed from the middle of the day Tuesday, Jan. 28 through Jan. 30 due to the weather conditions and snow.
This story will be updated with more information throughout the day.
How do you feel about Emory closing on Tuesday? Share your thoughts on Twitter (@emorywheel) or via email (emorywheel@emory.edu) to be included in the article.
