When Do Classes Really End?

Shortly after classes resumed after snow week, GW students were sent an e-mail about make-up classes. While many groaned at the thought of having classes on Saturday, they quickly put it to the back of their minds. Now as the end of the spring semester quickly approaches, there has been a lot of talk about these classes. When are they? How many Monday schedules are there in a row? Do I really have a class on Saturday?

The break down for the final week of classes is:
Monday, April 26- Monday schedule
Tuesday, April 27- Monday schedule
Wednesday, April 28- Monday schedule
Thursday, April 29- Tuesday schedule
Friday, April 30- Wednesday schedule
Saturday, May 1- Thursday schedule

Although all students received an e-mail regarding the schedule for make-up classes, many are still unsure if their professors are holding them. According to some GW students, some of their professors have not even acknowledged the make-up classes or they are even more confused about them than the students are.

Marisa Mammone, a sophomore, had to ask one of her Monday-Wednesday professors what the schedule was for the final week of classes, but the professor was unaware of the schedule changes and stated "I don't know, we'll just have class Monday and Wednesday." Mammone went on to explain that she does not have classes on Saturday because her professors were against the idea of having class on a weekend.

Many other students have had similar experiences as Mammone. Nicole Longo, also a GW student, says although most of her "professors are sticking to the new schedule", her Monday-Wednesday professors are not holding class on Tuesday.

Victoria Wright, who is currently taking six classes, has not experienced any cancellations. Not only does she have classes every day, but she has a quiz on Saturday. She finds it frustrating since finals start on Monday and this leaves her less time to devote to studying.

Professors have every right to hold classes according to the make-up schedule, but before setting your alarm for next week, be sure to find out when and where you actually need to be.

JEC Decision Pushes Back SA Election Process

From the Joint Election Committee's website:

"The Joint Elections Committee will hold two additional registration days next week, Tuesday the 16th and Wednesday the 17th. Candidates can turn in their registration forms on either of those two days between 10AM and 5PM in Old Fedex.


Ballot Statements (candidate bio’s) will be due by 5PM on Wednesday the 17th. The Candidate’s meeting will be held on Thursday the 18th at 8PM, and Postering Day will be Friday the 19th. More information will be posted on the Candidates section of this website as we come closer to Postering Day."

The shortened campaign period could also have the potential to lead to more violations as candidates may be tempted to prematurely campaign.  Although the campaign period is very short this year, WRGW News will still have in-depth coverage, analysis and more polling on the current state of the race.

So far, Jason Lifton and Xochitl Sanchez have announced their candidacies for SA President, and Logan Dobson, Josh Goldstein, and Rob Maxim have announced their bids to become Executive Vice President.

CLASSES CANCELLED THURSDAY, FEB 11

From GW Campus Advisories:

Thursday, Feb. 11: Classes Canceled; Designated Employees Only Report

All classes on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, are canceled. Designated employees should report to work. All other employees need not report.

Please continue to check Campus Advisories at http://campusadvisories.gwu.edu or GW’s Information Line at 202-994-5050 for updates affecting operations of the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses and the University’s Arlington and Alexandria locations.

For updates on the Virginia Science and Technology Campus, call 703-726-8333.

For updates on the GW Medical Center, call 202-994-3501.

University Snow Removal Exceeds $50,000

GW has been working hard to remove the snow and ice from campus and it is putting a large dent in the school budget.

According to Alicia O'Neil, Senior Associate Vice President for Operations, the major snowstorm before Christmas exceeded $50,000 in additional costs and the expenses for the current snowstorm (which is significantly larger) have not yet been calculated.

"While the cost of snow removal operations for the winter season will exceed expenditures for a typical winter, we will ensure that we remain within budget by utilizing emergency funds and making other necessary adjustments," wrote O'Neil in an e-mail earlier today.

GW vs. GU Snowball Fight

If not the Dupont Circle snowball fight, come represent for the Colonials against the Hoyas in a George Washington vs. Georgetown snowball fight at Rose Park on 26th and O St at 6:00 p.m.

On the evening of the school's record third snow day in a row, students from both schools will duke it out in the snow to gain school bragging rights during this unforgettable week of D.C. Snowmageddon.

Already more than 500 students plan to attend as word has spread through Twitter and Facebook of the crosstown snowball battle. Colonials and Hoyas alike have been trading trash talk before tonight's snowball fight via Facebook. Even the Washington Post, NBC D.C., and the Los Angeles Times have caught on to the snow showdown between the schools.

If interested in representing the Buff and Blue, meet fellow Colonials in Kogan Plaza at 5:30 p.m.

Record Number of Snow Days for GWU

The worst snowstorm in DC since 1922 is causing disarray at The George Washington University; affecting 23,000 students and all aspects of campus life.

Classes have been cancelled for three consecutive days. Student Health Services is closed. 4-RIDE, the campus escort van service modified its services to walking safety escorts. Dining options for students are limited, with many restaurants and stores closed. And the much-anticipated Meghan McCain speech and Rupert Murdoch's appearance on Kalb Report were cancelled due to the inclement weather.

The status of public transportation in DC and the surrounding areas is a key factor for university administrators who make the decision to cancel classes due to inclement weather. This is a record for the university for most consecutive 'snow days' and it currently seems as if it might extend to four executive days. GW is urging students to avoid walking on streets and to be cautious of tree limbs breaking off due to the heavy weight of accumulated snow.

DC snow crews have been working around the clock in 12-hour shifts since last Friday to remove the snow and fallen trees. "Considering the incredible feat they have been able to accomplish in a city that averages 15 inches a year and with little rest, I'd say our snow team is one of the strongest and most dedicated in the region," said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, who distributed hot drinks and donuts to snow plow crews.

On Tuesday evening Steven Knapp, the university president, sent out a thank you to those assisting in the impact of the storm. "You have cleared sidewalks, served meals, staffed the libraries, kept The Vern Express running, organized student activities, and made sure that our campuses remained safe and sound," wrote Knapp.

Keep checking WRGW News for updates on the storm and cancellations.

Metrorail Service Somewhat Expanded; More Service Cuts Likely

WMATA announced in a press release Monday that it plans to open Tuesday morning at 5am with limited levels of service, albeit with more open stations than seen over the past weekend. Due to snow drifts of up to six feet on the tracks, the fifteen stations listed below will remain closed on Tuesday:

Red Line

Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, White Flint, Grosvenor-Strathmore, New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U, Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood, Brookland-CUA, Silver Spring and Takoma

Blue Line

Benning Road, Capitol Heights, Addison Road-Seat Pleasant, Morgan Boulevard and Largo Town Centers

The lines in operation are as follows:

• Red Line Limited Service: Medical Center to Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen

• Blue Line Limited Service: Franconia-Springfield to Stadium-Armory

• Green Line Full Service: Greenbelt to Branch Avenue

• Orange Line Full Service: Vienna to New Carrollton

• Yellow Line Full Service: Huntington to Fort Totten

Trains will arrive at stations at thirty-minute intervals and will travel at no more than 35mph, well below their top speed of 59mph.

Metrobus customers should verify their schedules with WMATA as many routes are operating on modified timetables.

WMATA is warning customers that despite the expansion of service, service outages may return as conditions worsen Tuesday afternoon and evening. Keep up with the latest news affecting GWU, including closures and weather updates, here at WRGW News.

Winter Storm Warning in Effect, Again

The National Weather Service has once again placed DC, Baltimore, and the surrounding counties under a Winter Storm Warning, complicating the frenetic cleanup efforts already in place.

From noon Tuesday to 7pm Wednesday the NWS expects ten to twenty inches of snow to fall in blizzard-like conditions across the Mid-Atlantic region. Additional analysis of meteorological data by the Washington Post's weather team indicates that while precipitation may be less than the storms that struck the District this weekend, a convergence of low pressure zones on Tuesday may lead to an higher-intensity blizzard, with greater odds of high winds and power outages.

There has been no word from GW Administrators as to the status of classes tomorrow, nor has WMATA announced an expansion of Metrorail service from its current underground-only mode of operation. UPDATE: All classes are cancelled for Tuesday, February 9th. WMATA expects limited service on Tuesday, check more recent posts for up-to-the-minute information.

WMATA to Continue Underground-Only Service Monday

WMATA is once again warning customers to expect severe service cutbacks on the Metrorail and Metrobus systems Monday as the agency continues cleanup efforts.

In a press release late Sunday evening Metro cautioned that Metrorail will only be operating between the following stations, and even those open to customers will be served at 24- to 30-minute intervals:

Red Line – Medical Center to Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen
Orange and Blue Lines – Ballston to Stadium-Armory
Green Line – Fort Totten to Congress Heights
Yellow Line – Pentagon to Crystal City

Metrorail faces two main issues: the buildup of ice and snowdrifts on the electrified third rail on sections of above ground track, and the arduous task of clearing the system's rail yards, where the trains themselves are stored. Limited numbers of cars were stored in underground tunnels to prevent ice and snow buildup, but the remainder remain largely buried in their storage areas.

Metro plans to reintroduce service to above ground tracks in phases, as various sections are cleared and deemed safe for travel.

As always, the status of the Metro system is available at www.metroopensdoors.com, and you can stay here with WRGW News for the latest updates affecting the GW community.

All Classes on Monday, February 8th Cancelled; Federal Government Closed

From GW Campus Advisories:

Monday, Feb. 8: Classes canceled; Designated Employees Only Report

All classes on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, are canceled. Designated employees should report to work. All other employees need not report.

Please continue to check Campus Advisories at http://campusadvisories.gwu.edu or GW’s Information Line at 202-994-5050 for updates affecting operations of the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses and the University’s Arlington and Alexandria locations.

For updates on the Virginia Science and Technology Campus, call 703-726-8333.

For updates on the GW Medical Center, call 202-994-3501.

UPDATE: The Office of Personnel Management has declared that all federal agencies in the Washington, DC area are CLOSED for Monday, Feburary 8th. Only emergency and telework employees are expected to report.

Winter Storm Watch Issued for Tuesday

Just as DC residents are beginning to dig out of the fourth-largest snowstorm to ever hit the city, the National Weather Service has issued a forecast that recovery officials will undoubtedly find frustrating: more snow.

The National Weather Service declared a Winter Storm Watch for Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon, anticipating precipitation in the form of snow and the potential for an accumulation of over five inches.

The meteorological agency predicts that temperatures will remain at or slightly above freezing at the onset of the storm Tuesday afternoon, and will then drop into the mid to upper 20s Tuesday night and Wednesday, when winds between 15 and 25mph may be present.

The National Weather Service defines a Winter Storm Watch as "a potential for significant snow accumulations that may impact travel." Stay with WRGW for the latest news affecting GW and the District at large.

DC Snowmaggedon Part II

The National Weather Service is predicting anywhere from 16 to 24 inches of snow from Friday morning to Saturday night.  The brunt of the storm will start Friday night, and get progressively worse into Saturday morning.  The heavy snowfall will undoubtedly put a  damper on people's weekend plans as sidewalks will be inaccessible and public transportation will be likely closed well into next week.

GW students might want to start stocking up on food as soon as possible, but might see huge lines at places like Trader Joe's and Safeway, setting up the perfect stage for a massive food shortage on Super Bowl weekend.

However, this is the perfect weekend to have a gigantic snowball fight, catch up on reading and homework, and make some delicious homemade hot chocolate (we here at WRGW prefer Ina Garten's recipe).