Classes after 2 p.m. Thursday were canceled at around 11:30 a.m. due to severe weather conditions, according to an e-mail from Syracuse University News Services. This is the third time classes have been canceled due to snow since 1993.

The decision to cancel classes was made by the university’s emergency preparedness committee, which includes Eric Spina, vice chancellor and provost, Louis Marcoccia, chief financial officer, said Sara Miller, associate director of news services.

The decision to cancel classes was based on updated weather information, along with recommendations from the Department of Public Safety and the Physical Plant, Miller said

‘The university has a protocol in place,’ Miller said. ‘They make the best decision based on the available information.

‘We look at information that’s going to affect transportation and the safety of the students.’

The last time classes were canceled due to weather conditions were Feb. 14, 2007, Miller said. That was the first time classes were canceled due to snow since March 15, 1993, according to an article in The Daily Orange published Feb. 14, 2007. When classes were canceled in 2007, 16 additional inches of snow were predicted, according to the article.

The Weather Channel predicted about 10 to 18 total inches of snow for Thursday in the Central New York region, according to a winter storm warning on its Web site. Approximately one to three inches of snow will continue to fall each hour leading into the night, according to the warning.

Dining centers, snack bars and SU Health Services will remain operational as normal. Centro buses are still operating and were running on schedule as of noon, Miller said. E.S. Bird Library, which is usually open 24 hours, will close at 8 p.m., according to the e-mail.

The Department of Public Safety, as well as the Physical Plant will also remain operational, Miller said.

The Counseling Center will close at 1:30 p.m., but student seeking service will still be able to call the center, according to the e-mail

Syracuse Stage and SU Drama productions scheduled for Thursday were canceled. The status of any other SU event must be check with the event provider, according to the e-mail.

Check back at dailyorange.com for more updates.

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Published on February 25, 2010 at 12:00 pm