Snow Impact on Campus and Parking February 13, 2024

TLDR

• Snow is expected tonight and through the day tomorrow.
• Campus surface parking lots are closed as of tonight; the city will likely issue a parking ban as well. Please move your car.
• Classes will be held, either in person or remotely; check with your professors.
• Campus dining and other operations will continue as usual with a few exceptions, below.

Dear WPI Community,

The National Weather Service has forecast a winter storm bringing an estimated 12" to 18” of snow to the area beginning overnight tonight and continuing through late in the evening Tuesday, February 13. Given the slow pace of the storm, the campus will remain open; the only expected impact will be on campus parking and some building and service hours as below.

Campus Operations 

Classes will be held, but students should check their course syllabus or contact their faculty member for information on how classes will be delivered, whether online or in person. 

The campus will remain open with the following exceptions:

• The Quorum, Smoothie Lab, and South Village dining will be closed; students wishing to pick up dinner at the South Village dining center for Tuesday night may do so tonight until 8:00 pm. 
• The Gordon Library will be open from 10:00 am Tuesday to 1:00 am Wednesday.
• Student Development & Counseling Center and Student Health Services will be providing services remotely and are accessible via phone during business hours. Reach the SDCC at 508-831-5540 and SHS at 508-831-5520.
• In an emergency, please call Campus Police at 508-831-5555 or, if you are off campus, dial 911. 
• All other dining and campus services will continue as usual. 

Employees concerned about traveling to campus should contact their immediate supervisor and determine if a remote work option for the day is appropriate.

Shuttles

At this time, there is no change to the shuttle services or schedules. Should weather conditions worsen significantly, Campus Police will issue an update.  If you rely on the shuttle, please plan ahead should conditions worsen.

Parking

All WPI surface parking lots will be closed as of 9:00 pm tonight, Monday, February 12, and will reopen at 7:00 am Wednesday, February 14. 

• Employees working on campus Tuesday are asked to use the Park Avenue, East Hall, or Gateway Garages. 
• Students must move their vehicles from surface lots to the Gateway Garage no later than 9 pm tonight. Commuter students coming to campus Tuesday should also park in the Gateway Garage or the Park Avenue Garage. The garages are open now; gates will open upon approach. 

PLEASE NOTE: The City of Worcester has announced a city-wide parking ban for this storm, effective at midnight tonight, which will apply to streets bordering the campus.  The city will tow and/or ticket cars left on the street during a parking ban and will continue to enforce restrictions until it declares the parking ban has ended. 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 http://www.worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/winter-parking. We encourage you to sign up for the city’s parking alerts via this site. 
 

Throughout the duration of the storm, response personnel will be on campus to support the safety and well-being of our community and our facilities. WPI’s grounds team will work continuously to clear and maintain walkways and surface areas. However, we encourage everyone on the campus 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.
 
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

 
Arne Gericke, Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Terri Camesano, Dean of Graduate Studies
Philip Clay, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Michael Horan, Executive Vice President/CFO
Lauren Turner, Senior Vice President, Talent & Inclusion