Chancellor Brady Deaton announced in an e-mail Monday the full closure of MU’s campus and the cancellation of all classes, effective 4 p.m. Monday through Tuesday evening.
The announcement came after a report from the National Weather Service predicted 12 to 21 inches of snow to fall across central and northeast Missouri on Monday night.
This marks the fifth recorded snow day in MU history. MU has not cancelled classes since Dec. 1, 2006, when it snowed 20 inches. The other three took place in 1978, 1995 and 1998.
For students who missed out on Monday evening raids of grocery stores and supermarkets in preparation for the winter storm, Campus Dining Services has posted on its website which locations will remain open and which will be closed for the day. Mark Twain Market, Plaza 900, Rollins and the Pavilion at Dobbs are among the locations open for regular hours of operation Tuesday.
Closed dining facilities include Eva J’s, Rollins Late Night and Mizzou Market Central.
The MU Student Center and Student Recreation Complex will also remain open. Ellis Library will remain open until 8 p.m., and, despite the closures of academic halls, many university health facilities will remain open Tuesday.
“All University of Missouri Health Care hospitals, including University Hospital, the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute and Women’s and Children’s Hospital, will be open,” the e-mail stated.
The Student Health Center and all University Physicians outpatient clinics, however, will be closed.
The e-mail also stated there will be no city bus service Tuesday. This includes Campus Shuttles, which will be out of service both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Deaton will announce plans for class schedules for Wednesday by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
According to a news release by NWS, a blizzard warning is issued when sustained wind speeds over 25 miles per hour are expected for several hours along with considerable snowfall.
“Police are asking that citizens do not leave their homes unless it becomes absolutely necessary to do so,” a Columbia Police Department news release stated.
According to the CPD release, dangerous road conditions caused by the blizzard might increase response times of emergency personnel responding to crashes. Vehicles caught in the snow will not be removed unless they are obstructing traffic.
About 70 percent of all snow and ice-related deaths occur in traffic accidents on icy roads, according to the CPD website.
The website recommends citizens keep a collection of items on hand to prepare for loss of heat, power and telephone service or shortage of supplies. This list includes a flashlight, extra food and water, a weather radio and first aid supplies, among other things. The full collection of tips is available at gocolumbiamo.com.
The police department will also be suspending non-essential services, such as records clerks and front desk personnel, though the lobby will remain open for emergencies.