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Winter weather updates

The following updates were sent to the campus community Dec. 7-10, 2018. - Ed.

Weather and Exams

December 10, 11:11 a.m.

W&M Community,

Yesterday’s snowstorm created more havoc than predicted, and, among other things, left a few residence halls without power.  The campus, as planned, will re-open at noon—and, as always in such conditions, please use caution while getting to and walking on campus. 

In order to mitigate the impact of the storm on students, we are making the following adjustments to the exam schedule. 

Today’s (Monday) exams scheduled for 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM have been rescheduled to this SATURDAY (December 15th) at the same times.   These are the default arrangements, but there are other options that faculty might choose.  The best option will depend in part on the nature of the course and intended final exercise.  These options include:

  • Turn the exam into a take-home project.
  • Arrange to have the exam given through Blackboard. Questions about how to do this can be directed to Adam Barger, Director of eLearning Initiatives (apbarger@wm.edu). 
  • Allow students to take the exam on their own time—with an express reaffirmation of following the honor code under which they already operate. 
  • Faculty questions should be addressed to their dean or associate dean.    

(The University Registrar's Office will let faculty know which students are Winter graduates, as they will need a solution that can be completed before the holiday break. These lists will go out by 2 p.m. today.)

There will still be students for whom the rescheduled times will not work—most notably those who would have completed exams before Saturday and have already purchased tickets to return home and those for whom a religious obligation precludes taking Saturday exams.  These students should consult with their professor to make alternate arrangements for taking the exam. 

This set of solutions is, like the weather itself, imperfect.  But collectively they seek to minimize any negative impact of the storm.  I appreciate everyone’s cooperation.

Sincerely,

Michael

Noon Opening

December 10, 2018, 10:56 am

Dear William & Mary community –

Campus will open at noon. Essential personnel should confirm their reporting times with their supervisor.

As announced yesterday, the provost canceled the 9 a.m block of exams today. Due to power outages that impacted large parts of campus last night, the provost has also cancelled both afternoon blocks of exams scheduled for Monday, Dec. 10. Information on the rescheduling of those exams will be forthcoming from the provost.

Ludwell remains without power, but the remainder of power has been restored to campus. Residence life will continue to communicate directly with Ludwell residents regarding access and accommodations. Any issues with electrical or heating systems should be reported to facilities management at 757.221. 2270.

The heavy, wet snow yesterday caused a number of downed tree limbs that are impacting some roads and pathways. Please use caution as you move across campus. University personnel are working diligently to clear and treat parking lots, pathways and roads. Please use cleared entrances and pathways even if they are not the most direct route.

For information on potential schedule changes to dining services options, visit the W&M Dining Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WMdining.

Swem Library opened at 10 a.m. this morning. The Recreation Center opens at noon.

WATA’s Green Line is operational but the Ludwell stop is not open. For the latest information on other local bus lines, please visit the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority's (WATA) website at http://www.gowata.org/ or the WATA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsburgAreaTransitAuthority/.

If we need to make additional updates to the schedule, they will continue to be communicated through the university's mass notification system. Those updates will also be posted on the W&M News Facebook and Twitter pages — http://www.facebook.com/wmnews and http://www.twitter.com/WMNews — and available through local media.

Sam Jones
Chair, Emergency Management Team

University Delayed Opening

December 9, 2018, 6:42 pm

Dear William & Mary community –

Due to slippery road and sidewalk conditions resulting from today’s snowfall, the university will be opening at noon on Monday, Dec. 10. The provost has canceled the 9 a.m block of exams. Information on the rescheduling of those exams will be forthcoming from the provost.

Essential personnel should check with their supervisors for reporting times.

There are reports of scattered power outages across campus. In the event of an outage, residents halls should follow their protocols.

Near freezing temperatures overnight will make the brick pathways on campus as well as overpasses on roadways especially slick in the morning. Additionally, the heavy, wet snow has caused some downed tree limbs. So please use caution if you have to be out walking or driving across campus. University personnel will be working diligently to clear and treat parking lots, pathways and roads. Please use cleared entrances and pathways even if they are not the most direct route.

For information on potential schedule changes to dining services options, visit the W&M Dining Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WMdining.

The recreation center is closed tonight as of 6 p.m. Swem Library will close tonight at 10 p.m.!and reopen Monday morning at 10 a.m. The recreation center will follow the university schedule Monday.

For the latest information on local bus lines, please visit the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority's (WATA) website at http://www.gowata.org/ or the WATA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsburgAreaTransitAuthority/.

If we need to make additional updates to the schedule, they will continue to be communicated through the university's mass notification system. Those updates will also be posted on the W&M News Facebook and Twitter pages — http://www.facebook.com/wmnews and http://www.twitter.com/WMNews — and available through local media.

Sam Jones
Chair, Emergency Management Team

University Delayed Opening

December 9, 2018, 6:42 pm

Dear William & Mary community –

Due to slippery road and sidewalk conditions resulting from today’s snowfall, the university will be opening at noon on Monday, Dec. 10. The provost has canceled the 9 a.m block of exams. Information on the rescheduling of those exams will be forthcoming from the provost.

Essential personnel should check with their supervisors for reporting times.

There are reports of scattered power outages across campus. In the event of an outage, residents halls should follow their protocols.

Near freezing temperatures overnight will make the brick pathways on campus as well as overpasses on roadways especially slick in the morning. Additionally, the heavy, wet snow has caused some downed tree limbs. So please use caution if you have to be out walking or driving across campus. University personnel will be working diligently to clear and treat parking lots, pathways and roads. Please use cleared entrances and pathways even if they are not the most direct route.

For information on potential schedule changes to dining services options, visit the W&M Dining Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WMdining.

The recreation center is closed tonight as of 6 p.m. Swem Library will close tonight at 10 p.m.!and reopen Monday morning at 10 a.m. The recreation center will follow the university schedule Monday.

For the latest information on local bus lines, please visit the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority's (WATA) website at http://www.gowata.org/ or the WATA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsburgAreaTransitAuthority/.

If we need to make additional updates to the schedule, they will continue to be communicated through the university's mass notification system. Those updates will also be posted on the W&M News Facebook and Twitter pages — http://www.facebook.com/wmnews and http://www.twitter.com/WMNews — and available through local media.

Sam Jones
Chair, Emergency Management Team

Winter Weather Advisory

December 9, 2018, 5:59 p.m.

Tribe Alert. Use caution walking on/around campus, falling tree limbs due to heavy, wet snow. Power outages possible. Don't drive unless absolutely necessary.

Weekend Weather

December 7, 2018, 5:12 p.m.

Dear William & Mary community,

The Emergency Management Team is monitoring the potential for a mix of snow, sleet and rain on Sunday, December 9 and into Monday, December 10.

While current forecasts place the more substantial impact west and south of Williamsburg, low temperatures increase the potential for ice on roads and sidewalks.  Please exercise caution as you move around the campus and City.

William & Mary Emergency Management, public safety and other administrative personnel will continue to monitor weather conditions. As additional updates are necessary, we will communicate those through the emergency notification system, local media, and the university's website at http://www.wm.edu.

Take care and be safe.

Sam Jones, Chair
Emergency Management Team