University Opening Will Be Delayed Wednesday Because of Winter Storm

University officials announced Tuesday afternoon that the University will not open until 11 a.m Wednesday, Jan. 22, as weather forecasters predict snowfall of up to or over 10 inches by the morning.

While second semester classes have yet to begin, many undergraduate students have returned to campus for various extracurricular activities, including the College’s fifth Wintersession, a week of student-initiated programming. Many morning events will not take place as a result of the University’s delayed opening Wednesday.

After a series of emails alerted students and staff that University officials were monitoring the weather forecast, an email from executive vice president Katie N. Lapp urged non-essential personnel not to report to work until the delayed opening at 11 a.m.

At around 4 p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the greater Boston area, which could see anywhere from six to 10 inches of snow. The warning, which will expire Wednesday at 1 p.m., states that snow could fall at a rate of one to two inches an hour and that gusts could reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

A Faculty of Arts and Sciences emergency notification announced more specific schedule changes, some starting as early as Tuesday evening. Most libraries were closed at 5 p.m., but Houghton Library will remain open until 7 p.m. and Widener will close at 8 p.m.

The notification also announced that Extension School classes scheduled for Wednesday morning are cancelled, but that classes starting at noon or later will meet as planned.

Dining hall hours will not be affected by the delayed opening.

Lapp wrote in her email that the University might impose further schedule changes if weather conditions necessitate further action.

Other area universities have announced similar plans. Northeastern, which opened for its winter term earlier this month, will delay opening until 10 a.m. Wednesday. Evening classes were cancelled at Boston College Tuesday.

—Staff writer Steven R. Watros can be reached at steven.watros@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveWatros.