Snow and ice are headed our way and this time, Saint Louis University called it. The University has closed starting at 4 p.m. on Jan. 31 and all SLU classes and activities will be suspended on Tuesday, Feb. 1 due to inclement weather and a suspected blizzard warning. According to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, the national guard has been mobilized as the severe storm has been called a state of emergency.

According to the closure policy, the responsible authorities for closure due to inclement weather are the academic vice presidents for both the Frost and Health Sciences Campuses based on recommendations by the Department of Facilities Management and the Department of Public Safety and Services.

Should the school decide on an additional delay or closure, students can be notified by calling the University Snowline, at 314-977-SNOW (7669).

At 3:29 p.m., the Vice President for Student Developments office issued this statement to the student body.

“Due to the developing weather situation and the potential risk of a power outage, students from the  potential risk of a power outage, students from the St. Louis area who live on campus are being encouraged to return home in the event of power loss, but to caution when traveling. The University also would appreciate it if local students could host fellow campus students who are not from the area.”

Also included in this message were food service and building closure information. Pius XII Memorial Library and the Busch Student Center were closed on Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. and will remain closed on Feb. 1. The following options are available for student meals.

Monday, January 31

Fusz Food Court                  open until 10:00 p.m.

Griesedieck Cafeteria         open until 7:00 p.m.

Reinert Cafeteria                 open until 7:00 p.m.

DeMattias                              open until 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 1

Fusz Food Court                  11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Griesedieck Cafeteria         7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Reinert Cafeteria                 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

DeMattias                              11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

The following information was also included in the message regarding power failure.

“In the event of a power failure, will we establish an emergency shelter or center?

If there is a power failure in any of the campus residence halls or apartments, alternate emergency shelter will be made available based on which facilities have power. Likely emergency locations include Simon Recreation Center, Busch Student Center and Chaifetz Arena. Communication to students in campus housing will be from Housing/Residence Life staff.

Safety Tips

• Stay indoors as much as possible to avoid extreme winter conditions.
• When walking on campus, be cautious about icy or slick sidewalks
• If your safest choice is to stay on campus, please make sure that you notify your family/ emergency contacts that you are safe on campus and the University has emergency plans in place

Tips in the event of a power outage

• Conserve water as much as possible

o   Don’t take hot showers, if possible

o   Avoid flushing toilets as much as possible

• Don’t use candles.  If the power goes out, gather at the front desk and wait for an available staff member for further instructions.
• Don’t use elevators in the case of power outage
• Power down and unplug non-essential appliances (video game, idle computers, TV, etc)
• Bundle up and dress in layers”

Follow unewsonline.com for further updates on the winter weather and the University closure.