This week’s two snow days mark the seventh and eighth time classes have been canceled over the past four years and the 11th and 12th time in school history.

University officials made the first decision after looking at predicted weather conditions and whether other services would be available, MU spokesman Christian Basi said. Earlier in the day Feb. 3, Columbia Public Schools and the city of Columbia announced they would close because of the incoming storm.

The decision to keep campus closed Wednesday came after officials reviewed Missouri Department of Transportation reports, according to the MU Alert Twitter account.

“Safety is our number one issue that we look at when making decisions, but we look at other ones as well,” Basi said.

Basi cited last year’s February snowstorm — in which MU did not cancel classes until 1 p.m. after six inches of snow were already on the ground — as a learning experience but not the sole cause for the preemptive cancellation this year.

“Each situation is different,” he said. “But we do reflect on experiences from the past.”

Since the majority of students and almost all faculty and staff members live off campus, Basi said the university takes into consideration how the city of Columbia is dealing with the storm as well.

“While we have control over campus (roads), we have to take into consideration the other roads (in the city),” he said.

Throughout the day, Campus Facilities has been working to keep critical areas cleared as well as other roads around campus. Facilities will work with outside contractors to clear roads once the heaviest snow has ended.

Campus Facilities also works with the MU Police Department to make sure entrances to the hospitals and other important buildings open on cancellation days remain accessible.

Along with all MU Health Care hospitals, the MU Student Center, MU Student Recreation Complex and dining facilities were open Tuesday. Ellis Library was open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and select dining facilities in the Student Center had altered hours, according to an MU Alert news release.