The University closed Friday for the third time this semester, as heaps of snow blanketed Philadelphia in what Executive Vice President Janet Hale called "one of the worst winters we've ever had."
Hale said last night the decision to cancel classes and close the University came at about 5 a.m. Friday when she and other University officials talked on the phone.
"Given the conditions of the road, we thought [closing the University] would be in the best interests for the safety of all," Hale said.
While school is scheduled to re-open today, questions have emerged as to whether the semester would be extended to compensate for the days lost by the three weather-related closings and late-openings.
Hale said she did not know if there would be any alterations to the length of the semester, adding that it would be discussed at a meeting today.
And Registrar Ronald Sanders said last night he did not know if the drop period or pass/fail option for registration which expired Friday would be extended because of the University's closing.
The issue he said would also be discussed with officials from the undergraduate schools today.
But Sanders said he has not "heard anything from anybody about extending it."
The add period, which ended two weeks ago, was extended after school was closed two days last month.
Hale said she did not think too many students missed classes on Friday, because "less classes are scheduled on Fridays."
But, she added that she was concerned that some students may have "missed labs."
Although the fresh attack of snow might have numbed the city, Physical Plant Executive Director James Wargo said the University was "in pretty good shape" for the snowstorm.
Physical Plant purchased a Case front-end loader machine to shovel snow and extra salt spreaders in preparation for the snow after the last ice storm hit, he added.
Some students took advantage of their day off from classes and frolicked in the approximately eight to 12 inches of snow that settled on campus Friday.
College freshman Marcus Dahllof said he and some other students went "snowboarding" in the Quadrangle on Friday afternoon.
"It was fun to go riding," Dahllof said. "I like the snow, because of snowboarding and stuff."
