fake news!!!

After claiming in an email Wednesday night that campus would operate as normal through Winter Storm Niko, Columbia has announced that classes will not occur for both Morningside and CU Medical School campuses.

The original email from Facilities Executive VP David Greenberg at 8:15 pm, entitled “Winter Storm Niko update,” stated, “At this time, we are anticipating normal operations on campus tomorrow.” New York City public schools, as well as several private universities, had already announced a snow day many hours before this announcement from Columbia.

Aside from announcing the snow day, Columbia’s email also touched on important logistical information: several campus entrances will be closed to allow for snow cleanup, Dodge will continue on a normal schedule, Columbia Dining will be open today (although there may be schedule changes), the Intercampus Schedule will continue to operate on a normal schedule, and all libraries are closed except for Butler, which “remains open as a 24-hour study space.”

At about the same time, VP Gail Beltrone emailed the Barnard community announcing that all classes are cancelled and “the College is closed.”  For updates on how this storm will affect upcoming events (most notably, the Athena Film Festival), you can visit the Barnard website.

This snow day is a victory for all students, especially those for whom early-season midterms are already starting to pile on and those who have to climb up or down Low Steps (treacherous when icy) between classes. We thought maybe Columbia was actually prioritizing students’ health for once… and then we saw that Butler is still open.

Dear Columbia Community,

To ensure the safety of our community in light of the anticipated intensity of today’s snowstorm, classes for today, February 9, have been cancelled.

Essential personnel are expected to report to work today as directed by their supervisors, consistent with University Policy. Please stay safe, exercise caution and allow extra travel time. Non-essential personnel who are able to travel safely to work are encouraged to do so, or should speak with a manager or supervisor about contingency plans if needed. If you have a question about your “essential status,” please check in with your supervisor.

The following updates to services are available:

Morningside Campus Updates

• Butler Library remains open as a 24-hour study space. All other libraries will be closed today.
• Dodge Fitness Center is open per its normal hours. Check www.gocolumbialions.com for updates.
• Columbia Dining facilities will be open today. For any changes to hours and operation, please visit dining.columbia.edu/columbia-dining-operations-2917.
• For event status, we advise students and members of the University community to check with event sponsors.
• The following Morningside campus gates will be closed for snow removal and icy conditions:
  • College Walk pedestrian gates (both Broadway and Amsterdam). College Walk main gates will remain open.
  • Chapel gate
  • Earl Hall gate
  • CEPSR 120th Street gate
  • The exterior staircase at the Northwest Corner Building will be closed due to hazardous conditions. Please use the interior route as an alternative.

Transportation Updates

• The Intercampus Shuttle is currently operating on its normal schedule. Please check the Transportation website for updates.
• The Lamont-Doherty Shuttle is not operating.
• As of now, the Arbor Shuttle will run on a holiday schedule. The van will leave the Arbor on the the hour and leave campus on the half hour. There may be changes to the shuttle if conditions worsen.

Columbia University Medical Center Updates

• All Columbia University Medical Center classes are cancelled today.
• CUMC senior management in each department and school determines which functions are essential, and how to staff those functions. Senior management in each department and school will communicate the information to all faculty and staff. If you have any questions please contact your department or school.
• CUMC and ColumbiaDoctors clinical practices, except for the Dental Clinics, are scheduled to be open today. However, as the storm continues to unfold, we suggest that patients call their health care provider’s office to confirm appointments.

We urge all members of the Columbia community to stay informed about conditions as the storm progresses. We will continue to send updates throughout the day as more information becomes available.

Please continue to check the Columbia Preparedness website, preparedness.columbia.edu, and the Columbia homepage, www.columbia.edu for updates.

Sincerely,
David M. Greenberg
Executive Vice President
Columbia University Facilities and Operations
On behalf of the Emergency Management Operations Team

Premature memeing via Finn Klauber