Winter storm threat prompts Pres. Rhine to close campus

A late winter storm threatening up to 9 inches of snow and wind gusts as high as 45 mph, prompted CSC President Randy Rhine to close the college at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Rhine’s announcement came by a campus-wide email from Director of College Relations Alex Helmbrecht, after heavy snows blanketed the campus early Wednesday morning.

“The closure includes the cancellation of all classes, including those in the evening, all public facilities on campus, and previously scheduled Navy SEAL presentations. However, the Student Center will remain open, so students may access food services,” Rhine stated in the email. He said the college would reopen at 7:30 a.m. today.

At 8:36 a.m. Wednesday the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, and although the snow stopped at about 11:30 a.m., the NWS warning remained in effect until 6 p.m.

Dining Services Director Tracy Shuck said food services would observe regular hours, except the Eagle Grille Food Court would close at 7 p.m. Wednesday when the Student Center closed.

Senate President Katrina Hurley said she was working with the Navy SEALS to try to reschedule their presentations for today.

Other facilities that closed at 10 a.m. included the Reta E. King library and Book Ends coffee shop, the NPAC and The Pit.

Maintenance Supervisor Todd Baumann said crews were cleaning up the snow and custodians were working in the Student Center and dormitories.

Junior Day–a recruiting effort featuring visits and campus tours  from high school juniors–was scheduled from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday. Helmbrecht contacted Admissions Director Lisa Stein who said visiting juniors on campus at the time of the closing were given the option of staying for lunch and tours or leaving.  The majority stayed to eat lunch, Helmbrecht said.

The snow and high winds made driving hazardous and road conditions were expected to worsen throughout the day.