University delays opening, houses employees during snowstorm

After a nor’easter swept through Princeton and left behind 17.8 inches of snow, the University delayed opening until 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

“Classes scheduled to begin before that time will not be held,” read an email sent out via Princeton Alert. “University officials are monitoring campus and area conditions.”

While Frist Campus Center and all residential dining halls ran on their normal schedules, campus libraries and recreational facilities were closed until 10 a.m.

However, the University required “employees in essential services roles” to report for their respective shifts before 10 a.m.

Essential personnel comprise staff from a variety of departments that help keep the campus safe and functioning. These departments include University Services, Public Safety, Facilities, University Health Services, and others.

Acting University spokesperson Michael Hotchkiss confirmed via email that “approximately 60 Campus Dining workers who chose to stay overnight were accommodated in local hotels and the Graduate College.”

“Many of the hundreds of University employees working in essential service roles during this storm ate meals provided through Frist Campus Center and residential dining halls,” Hotchkiss added.

University Facilities worked through Wednesday night to clear sidewalks and roads, but larger trees continued to block pathways throughout campus, with the surrounding areas being roped off.

This piece was originally published in The Daily Princetonian on March 8, 2018. It was co-authored by Linh Nguyen.