Editor’s note: this article has been updated to include additional information not available at the time of publication.
Inclement weather has led to a series of Blue Alerts affecting classes.
On Feb 12. a university email announced all classes and activities will be remote Feb. 15-17 due to inclement weather conditions. Students who remain on campus were advised to use caution when traveling outside due to low temperatures and potentially slick surfaces.
The university sent a follow-up email on Feb. 14 warning of extreme weather conditions and encouraging students to stay inside.
As the temperatures dropped below zero in Oklahoma City, the university sent another email on Feb. 15 saying the Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. began initiating temporary service interruptions in order to manage the regional power system and avoid protracted power outages. The interruptions are expected to last one hour and may affect campus without warning.
“Students should be aware that power outages on campus will lead to temporary loss of heat in some campus buildings and residences, as well as loss of internet service. Students either on or off campus whose classes are interrupted due to power issues should visit with their faculty member at their earliest convenience,” the email read.
The email also advised students to avoid using elevators if possible until OG&E announces an end to the temporary power outages.
On Feb. 16 at 12:23 p.m. the university sent another Blue Alert canceling classes for the remainder of the day, as well as for Feb. 17 due to potential rolling power blackouts. The cancelation involves all main-campus remote/virtual classes but does not include remote classes at the School of Law, which will continue as scheduled.
Dexter Nelson, chief of the Oklahoma City University police department, said he is meeting daily to discuss the weather and campus conditions.
“We are expecting more snow tonight, and temperatures are expected to remain below zero until maybe Friday. We will have to see how it goes tomorrow,” he said. “This storm is of historic proportions. Buildings and vehicles in this part of the country were not built to withstand subzero temperatures for the periods of time we have had them.”
On Feb. 17, another Blue Alert was sent extending class cancelations through Feb. 18 due to uncertainty regarding weather and rolling power blackouts.
Caroline Pillow, music theater freshman, said her power went out for a couple hours the morning of Feb. 16, but it came back shortly. She said she wished the university canceled class sooner due to the Feb. 15 flooding in Methodist Hall.
“I appreciate it, but I think it’s frustrating that I had to email my teachers at 2 a.m. last night saying ‘hey, I do not feel mentally prepared, physically, emotionally prepared for class tomorrow,’ and she only heard from students,” she said. “So, I would have appreciated if they contacted us sooner with the cancelation of school, but I am very thankful they decided to go ahead and do it, even if it was later than expected.”
Ally Setser, biomedical science freshman, said before classes were canceled, her teachers were understanding of technical issues with remote learning.
“I had a few Wi-Fi issues and was kicked off of Zoom once. However, all my teachers have been super understanding of my internet issues and worked with me when I was not able to complete classwork,” she said.
Setser said her dorm in Banning Hall hasn’t been affected by the blizzard yet, but other areas of the dormitory have. She said she and her roommate have proactively unplugged unnecessary electrical appliances and left their sinks running to prevent their pipes from freezing.
“I still have power, heat and my pipes are not frozen,” she said. “However, part of Banning has lost their power and heat. I received a text from a friend in the northeast tower of Banning last night saying that she was going to move into a room in Walker because the outlets in her room were not working. I am super lucky the blizzard has not affected my room.”
Setser said she’s glad the school prepared students for any potential power outages.
“The email stated the power should not be out for more than an hour, so I am not too stressed about it. I just hope that the controlled rolling outages will prevent a regional blackout,” she said.
JT Cambria, music theater sophomore, said he’s glad there’s a plan to prevent a more serious power outage.
“Although it would suck, I’ll take an hour-long power outage versus an indefinite one. Like, I’d rather lose an hour of power randomly so we don’t have to lose power for five days like last time,” he said.
Cambria said he’s made light of the snow day by creating a makeshift sled out of cardboard.
“I took some cardboard boxes and me, and some friends went sledding down a hill by Walker and Banning,” he said. “It was fun. It was a good break in between classes.”
The Caf in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center will be open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., the Market from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Chick-fil-A from 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. The Dulaney-Browne Library will be closed, and the monthly COVID-19 screening appointments on Feb. 15-17 will be rescheduled.
Housing and student affairs were unavailable to comment at the time of publication.
Students in need of assistance should contact campus police at (405) 208-5911 (emergency) or (405) 208-5001 (non-emergency). For any maintenance issues, students can contact housing at 405-208-6363.
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