Penn Suspends In-Person Classes for 3rd Snow Day of the Year

UPenn Students Brace for Blizzard: Examining the Campus Shutdown

With another blizzard warning issued, students at the University of Pennsylvania are set to switch from traditional classrooms to winter weather activities for the third time this semester. Let’s delve into how this snow day will affect the university and its students.

According to an official UPennAlert, released at 4:49 p.m. on Sunday, instructors have the option to deliver their courses online for the day on Feb. 23, either synchronously or asynchronously. Only essential services will continue operation, and community members are urged to exercise caution when traveling to campus.

Planning for Online Instruction and Essential Services

The announcement also stated that instructors should inform their students about their instructional plans, offering flexibility for those who might be unable to participate remotely. Any instructor opting to teach must be prepared to hold the class online without aid from staff, as non-essential staff are not mandated to work.

Even amidst the closure, all public safety resources will remain accessible. This includes the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Dining Services, Facilities and Real Estate Services, and other select campus operations.

Preparing for the Winter Storm: What to Expect

In light of the impending storm, Penn Dining has rolled out a modified schedule for several of its venues. The Pottruck Health and Fitness Center will also close at 3 p.m. on Sunday due to the weather. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service predicts a potentially historic winter storm bringing significant snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding. The blizzard warning began at 10 a.m. on Sunday and is set to last until 6 p.m. on Feb. 23.

Philadelphia Prepares: Citywide Measures and Responses

During a press briefing on Saturday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, a 2016 Fels Institute of Government graduate, declared a snow emergency starting 4 p.m. Sunday. Parker, alongside city officials, urged local residents to move their vehicles off designated routes to facilitate crews in preparing roads for the storm.

Scott Sauer, SEPTA General Manager, warned riders to anticipate delays due to the storm, predicting major disruptions across bus, trolley, and Regional Rail services. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission also announced vehicle restrictions on several major highways starting 3 p.m. Sunday, potentially lowering speed limits to 45 mph on affected roadways.

Effects on Philadelphia Schools: Shift to Virtual Learning

Superintendent Tony Watlington announced on Saturday that all School District of Philadelphia buildings would transition to virtual operations on Monday and cancel all after-school activities to ensure the safety of the entire school community. Normal operations are projected to resume on Tuesday, February 24.

Previous Winter Weather Impact at UPenn

This closure follows less than a month after Penn suspended operations for two consecutive days due to a winter storm in January. This previous storm resulted in nine inches of snow and hazardous conditions across the Philadelphia region.

Issues related to water infrastructure affected buildings across Penn’s campus due to the previous winter weather. Multiple college houses suffered damage, from flooded hallways to frozen fan coil units. Plumbing problems beneath and around Locust Walk also hindered access to academic buildings and community spaces.