(Breaking News) Rowan University to Close Campuses for Winter Storm

GLASSBORO N.J.,– As a major winter storm threatens much of the United States this weekend, Rowan University announced the closure of all campuses for this upcoming Sunday and Monday.

In a Rowan Alert issued Friday afternoon, university officials said the decision was made due to inclement weather expected throughout the region, citing hazardous travel conditions and the likelihood of power outages. All classes are canceled, and non-essential employees aren’t required to work. However, essential employees are expected to coordinate schedules with their supervisors, and both students and staff have been instructed not to visit any Rowan campuses or facilities during the closure. 

The announcement came just hours after New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm. 

“In the days since taking office, I have convened leaders across state government to prepare for the impending hazardous conditions to ensure we have the resources necessary to weather this storm. I urge all New Jerseyans to stay home, avoid travel, and follow all safety protocols during the storm,” said Gov. Sherrill.

Earlier today, Gov. Sherrill held a press conference at the New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center (NJ ROIC) in Ewing, N.J., where she stressed the severity of the approaching storm, calling it “not an average winter storm” and “the likes of which we haven’t seen in probably about a decade.” It was also announced at the press conference that commercial vehicle travel restrictions on major interstate highways would begin early Sunday, with nearly 4,000 pieces of snow-removal equipment being deployed statewide as part of preparations.

Meteorologists warned that the storm could deposit anywhere from four to 10 inches of snow in South Jersey, with some areas predicting over a foot. Local communities are preparing for hazardous conditions, but some towns face limited road salt supplies ahead of the winter weather.

Grocery stores in the area are also feeling the impact as they report massive crowds and panic buying of staples such as bread, milk, and eggs. While shops across the state are scrambling to prepare, the storm’s effects are already raising concerns close to home on Rowan’s campus.

Concerns about icy walkways have emerged within the campus community. On Jan. 16, 2024, Rowan University’s official Instagram page posted an image of snow outside Discovery Hall, which prompted heavy criticism over the insufficient salting on campus sidewalks and roads in the comments of the post. 

While some have urged the university to salt the roads, there are other members in the community who are in opposition to the methods due to more ethical reasons.

Toni Farmer, an adjunct professor at Rowan who’s also an environmental advocate, cited that the salt used to melt snow often runs into the soil and is then carried into waterways, where a bigger problem then emerges.

“While I do not want to see anyone get hurt on campus, salt is very bad for the environment. We need other solutions,” said Farmer.

Despite concerns about the environmental impacts of salt, the university is ensuring that essential services and facilities for residential students remain available during the closures. The Wellness Center, Recreation Center, and Chamberlain Student Centers will operate, though updated hours are posted online. Barnes & Noble will be closed on Sunday and is set to reopen on Monday at noon. Virtual instruction guidance will be issued separately by the deans of the Cooper Medical School, Virtua Health School of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine. Rowan Medicine and the Shreiber Veterinary Teaching Hospital will provide additional updates to staff and students. 

Additionally, city officials of the Borough of Glassboro posted a reminder on their Instagram and Facebook, instructing residents to remove parked cars and obstructions from the streets up to 12 hours after the storm in accordance with Ordinance 96-10. Primary streets will be plowed first, followed by secondary streets and then cul-de-sacs, with plows getting as close to curbs as possible. Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their properties. For the expected 4 to 10 inches of snow, sidewalks must be cleared within 62 hours, but property owners of bus stops are urged to clear sidewalks as soon as possible.

Students at Rowan said they are preparing to ride out the storm responsibly while making the best of the weather conditions. 

“We might get snowed in, and I haven’t seen a crazy amount of snow in a long time since I’ve been in Florida during winter break,” said Nick Boehm, a 21-year-old sport communication major

Boehm stocked up on food and water and plans to weather the storm with his roommates by catching up on Netflix shows. Similarly, 20-year-old radio, television, and film major James Freeman went on a quick trip to ShopRite with his roommates to stock up on essential groceries.

“Well, I was excited at first, but there hasn’t been this big of a storm since before I came to Rowan, so this is the first time I have to prepare myself,” said Freeman.

As the winter storm barrels through the country, university officials are encouraging the community to report hazardous conditions on campus as the storm unfolds. Sidewalks, roadways, and parking lots may require multiple treatments depending on how badly they are affected.

All hazardous conditions can be reported to the Rowan University Police Department at 856-256-4922.