U. stays open despite snow, arctic temps

Despite treacherous weather conditions that left many students with bumps and bruises, University officials decided yesterday's classes should still be held. Today, that decision is partially reversed, as University administrators cancelled all classes before 11 a.m.. The remainder of the day will run on a normal schedule. Executive Vice President Janet Hale said last night the decision to keep the University open yesterday was made after considering several factors. Those factors included the physical conditions of the campus, area transportation and suggestions from University Police, Physical Plant, the Office of Human Resources and Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson. "You have to make the best judgement given the facts you have at hand," Hale said. "What we'll do is continue to assess the conditions." While classes were held yesterday, several administrative offices -- including the Office of Admissions -- were closed. Escort Service was discontinued for the second straight night, and nearby Drexel University was closed for the whole day. Interim President Claire Fagin said last night that not closing the University has come to be a tradition. "At Penn, there is a long, long, long-held philosophy that unless the circumstances are really dire, we are open," she said. "Students pay a tremendous amount of tuition and we have an obligation to have classes if students are able to get there." "It isn't because we're meanies," she added. Executive Director of Physical Plant Jim Wargo said his crew was out salting roads and pathways at 6 p.m. Monday, but added that rain and subsequent freezing temperatures rendered the salt inactive. Additionally, he said, the University -- like the City of Philadelphia --used up all of its salt resources. "Late this afternoon we ran out of salt, [so] we're spreading sand now throughout the campus," Wargo said. He added that while the University usually uses about 20,000 pounds of salt per storm, it has already used a quarter of a million pounds this year. Wargo also said that although he has "promises of [salt] delivery" today, salt is ineffective at temperatures below 23 degrees. Hale said the University will be using a special shipment of limestone to clear up the ice this morning. Susan Canning, administrator for emergency services at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, said yesterday that between 25 and 35 percent of the patients seen by the Emergency Department were suffering from weather-related ailments. Many of them, added Physician Iris Reyes, were University students. Director of Student Health Services MarJeanne Collins said yesterday that Student Health is also busy with people suffering from slips and falls. "We've seen several fractures," she said. "Over the last several days, six or so would come to mind. If you go back over the total week, possibly a few more than that." She added that students have also been treated for sprains, bruises, and twisted ankles and wrists. Hale said while classes should resume at 11 a.m. this morning, the situation will be re-evaluated at that time to make a decision about the rest of the day. The Accuweather forecast for today calls for extreme cold and wind, with a high of only 13 degrees.