After four days of canceled classes for universities across the District, other D.C. college students shared in both the excitement and hassles that came with two large snowfalls in less than a week.
Georgetown, American, Catholic and Howard universities canceled classes all four days and reduced operations since the first snowstorm began last Friday. At Georgetown, all major dining and operational facilities remained open to serve students, student newspaper The Hoya reported, but the university stated that road conditions were still too dangerous to allow for a safe commute for faculty and staff.
Unlike GW, Georgetown faculty members were allowed to hold classes on Tuesday – but were not allowed to penalize absent students.
“Some professors who are within walking distance offered to hold classes but from what I’ve heard not many people have attended,” Christopher Schneider, a Georgetown freshman, said.
Schneider said the snow has slowed everything down on campus, and dining options are limited.
“I’ve had to ration the food a little bit or we have to go to the on-campus stores to get food, and sometimes we’ve had to walk to try to find food. It’s definitely not a fun situation,” he said.
According to Catholic’s Web site, dining services venues were operating on a Sunday schedule as the school remained closed.
Howard provided students with a comprehensive list detailing what areas have been plowed on campus. Most entrances were cleared Tuesday, but that was before the second round of snowfall began that afternoon.
At American, the school had been closed since noon on Friday and dining halls reduced hours. In addition, a canopy outside the school’s student union collapsed under the weight of snow Wednesday.
“We have been snowed in. The shuttle service is extremely limited and we can’t go anywhere off campus,” Gaby Obedoza, a freshman at American, said.
“The places that take meal swipes have basically shut down, so I’ve been living off Subway and McDonald’s this whole weekend,” Obedoza said.
Rachel Nover, a sophomore at American living off campus, said a big issue is that many people have not shoveled driveways or sidewalks in the residential area surrounding the school.
“I’m curious what’s going to happen with the additional snow, since the city hasn’t been able to handle the snow already on the ground,” Nover said.
Like GW, American has informed students about on-campus activities, such as free movies, to pass the time.
“No one is really going out. Everyone is going a little stir crazy. No one can get anywhere. I can’t even go to CVS to pick up a prescription,” Nover said.
Maryann Tadros and Ben Weinberg contributed to this report.
