Snow Day Delays Spring Semester

by Kelsey Wynn | Editor in Chief

SCRANTON — The University of Scranton’s classes are canceled and offices will be closed Feb. 1, which would have been the first day of spring semester classes, due to pending weather conditions. Essential personnel must report.

[updated 5:23 p.m.] Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., clarified that this decision, along with future weather determinations will affect all classes including those scheduled as remote, in an email Sunday afternoon. The only exception to this rule will be graduate online “special term” classes, which have met during snow days in the past.

“This of course is not the way that we had hoped to start the semester but, try as we might, we still cannot control the weather!” Gingerich said.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Northeastern Pennsylvania early Sunday that estimates 12 to 18 inches of snow accumulation between 5 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Tuesday. This alert is in effect for Pike, Bradford, Susquehanna, Luzerne, Southern Wayne, Northern Wayne, Lackawanna and Wyoming counties.

According to the warning, this will be an extended winter event with hazardous conditions making travel very difficult to impossible. The National Weather Service advised motorists to delay all unnecessary travel.

“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 511,” the warning said.

The University has not yet imposed any delays or cancellations for Tuesday classes. [updated 5:23 p.m.] Gingerich said a decision will be made Monday based on conditions and forecasts.

Visit www.511pa.com for the latest travel, roadways, and traffic conditions.