Impending Snow Impact on Campus and Parking Jan. 24–26

Department(s):

Marketing Communications

TLDR 

  • Bitter cold and significant snow is expected Sunday evening into Monday, Jan. 25–26.
  • Campus surface parking lots will be closed as of Saturday evening, Jan. 24; the city will tow cars from streets around campus.
  • Classes will be held remotely on Monday.
  • Campus remains open. Essential personnel are asked to report to campus; others should work remotely.
  • Some campus dining locations and other functions will be closed. 

 

Dear WPI Community, 

The National Weather Service has forecast a significant winter storm bringing bitter cold temperatures and an estimated 12–18 inches of snow to the area. Snow is expected to begin midmorning Sunday and continue into Monday evening, Jan. 26, and bitter cold temperatures will likely linger for the following week. 

Campus will remain open; however, given the expected pace and duration of the storm, operations will be impacted as noted below. 

Classes and Campus Operations  

Classes on Monday will be held remotely only. (For those classes, such as labs, that cannot be held remotely, students should check their course syllabus or contact their faculty member for information.) 

Only essential services employees should come to campus. Others should work remotely to the best of their ability, given the potential impact of the storm.   

Campus services will be adjusted: 

  • Dining
    • Starship robot deliveries will be suspended Sunday and Monday.
    • Morgan Dining Hall: Open Sunday, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 5–8 p.m.; Monday, 7:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
    • Starbucks: Open Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Monday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
    • On the Goat Market (Founders Hall): Closed Sunday. Open Monday, noon–7 p.m.
    • Dunkin’: Open Sunday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; closed Monday; regular hours Tuesday
    • Campus Center Food Court: Open Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; closed Monday; regular hours Tuesday
  • The Sports and Recreation Center will be open Sunday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; closed Monday
  • The Gordon Library will be open Sunday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. and Monday, 10 a.m.–1 a.m.
  • The Student Development and Counseling Center and Student Health Services will provide services remotely and are accessible via phone during business hours. Reach the SDCC at 508-831-5540 and SHS at 508-831-5520. 

All Buildings 

  • All buildings will be on card-access only; keep your ID on hand.
  • Close all windows in your area and in all classrooms; extreme cold can freeze pipes and damage heating elements near windows.   
  • The Rubin Campus Center and Morgan Wedge will be open as warming centers for the campus community. 

Shuttles 

  • The shuttles will not operate Sunday night or Monday during the day.
  • The Monday nighttime shuttle is scheduled to operate if conditions allow. If not, the TripShot app will be updated and WPI Campus Police will send an email by 3 p.m. Monday. 

Parking 

  • All WPI surface parking lots will be closed as of 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, and will reopen at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27.
  • Essential employees are asked to use the Park Avenue, East Hall, or Gateway garages.
  • Residential students must move their vehicles from residential surface lots to the Gateway Garage no later than 6 p.m. Saturday. The Gateway garage is open now; gates will open upon approach.
  • Nonresidential students may also park in the Gateway Garage. 

IMPORTANT: The City of Worcester will tow cars from streets around campus. Citywide parking bans apply to streets bordering the campus; the city will ticket and tow cars and will continue to enforce restrictions until the parking ban is lifted. All Worcester municipal garages are open and free during the city’s parking ban. Parking fees are imposed once the parking ban lifts. More information is available at https://www.worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/winter-parking. Please note the city’s parking alerts text system is currently not working. 

Throughout the storm, WPI’s response personnel will be on campus to support the safety and well-being of our community and our facilities. Our grounds team will work continuously to clear and maintain walkways and surface areas. However, we encourage everyone to use caution during the storm.  

Should you find yourself in an on-campus emergency situation, please call WPI Campus Police at 508-831-5555. Off campus, dial 911.  
  
Thank you; your cooperation is greatly appreciated. 

 
Hilary Clark, Associate Vice President of Talent Operations 
Philip Clay, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management 
Arne Gericke, Dean of Undergraduate Studies 
Michael Horan, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer