(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

What you need to know about campus operations and travel this weekend

BY NATHAN FERRARO, MANAGING EDITOR

Mason students are bracing for extreme winter weather as the National Weather Service predicts between six and 14 inches of snow in Northern Virginia from Saturday to Sunday.

“I hope it snows a little bit, but not too much,” said freshman nursing major Marley Hancock. “Usually they say a lot more than it actually snows.”

“We got food in case the dining halls close,” she said. “We’re just hoping the dining halls don’t close.” 

Students are encouraged to sign up for the Mason Alert Emergency Notification System at ready.gmu.edu for alerts on any building closures or other emergency updates. 

“We monitor the weather and storm forecasts and spend time treating those areas before the snow arrives,” wrote Ariel Sierra, communications and marketing manager of Mason Facilities and Campus Operations, in an email. “Once the snow starts, we take a proactive approach and have multiple teams clearing snow.”

Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., Mason announced the university would be closed starting 10 p.m. Saturday through at least Sunday. 

A campus status webpage has been created to inform students of all relevant updates during the course of the weekend.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency for the commonwealth yesterday. 

“State agencies are mobilized, and we are working closely with local governments and utility partners,” read a quote from a Spanberger administration press release.

A cold weather advisory began 8 p.m. Friday night and will last until 10 a.m. Saturday.

Experts warn against travel over the weekend and predict that the Monday morning commute could be affected by “hazardous conditions.”

Mason Dining has an automatically updating webpage of dining options for on-campus students to utilize this weekend. 

“We will be publishing live updates there, as well as providing printed and digital communications at the dining halls,” Sofya Vetrova, district marketing manager for Mason at Chartwells, wrote in an email.

Residents can also check Mason Dining’s Instagram page for announcements.

Mason Recreation also has a webpage for altered facility hours.

“We have a team of staff that updates our website, social media, and communication channels to alert people of facility hours and changes as soon as possible,” a Mason Recreation representative said in an email.

“[Facilities and Campus Operations] recommends staying indoors during inclement weather.  Contact the … Customer Service Center by calling (703) 993-2525 to submit a work order. In the case of an emergency, call 911,” Sierra wrote.