DePauw campus returning to normal after weather emergency

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

After canceling classes through Tuesday because of a dangerous winter storm, DePauw University is making preparations to return to normal operations as Winter Term 2014 begins.

DePauw's Office of Public Safety was slated to officially lift the Severe Weather Emergency, which was announced early Sunday afternoon, effective 6 a.m. Wednesday. As a result, DePauw will remain closed until that time.

At such time, employees whose shifts are scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. are expected to repot for duty. Winter Term lasses, which had been canceled Monday and Tuesday, are scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

The storm dumped a foot of snow on Greencastle and the DePauw campus Sunday and Monday, followed by windy conditions and bitter temperatures.

Tuesday's low temperature was -12 degrees and wind chills have been in the -40 range. Blowing and drifting snow and the dangerous cold have led Indiana State Police to urge people to stay off the streets, and a number of key roads have been closed.

Campus life began returning to normal on Tuesday morning, as the Lilly Center reopened for recreational use at 10 a.m. while food service also resumed operations on a more regular schedule.

"We continue to urge those who leave their living units to dress for the bitter conditions and to limit their time outdoors to 10 minutes or so," advised Angie Battin, DePauw director of public safety.

"These frigid temperatures are about the lowest we've experienced in 20 years," she added, "and the cold combined with the wind create very dangerous conditions. Err on the side of caution, and if you must be outdoors, bundle up and keep it quick."

Facilities management personnel have been working since Sunday afternoon to clear pathways around campus. Most parking lots have now been cleared, with the exception of Blackstock Stadium.

"Our crews have put in some long hours in some very trying conditions," noted Dick Vance, associate vice president for facilities management. "Their excellent work has kept the campus operating during a major storm and makes it possible for us to resume regular operations as we plan."

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