Students Rejoice As Snowstorm Cancels Class

Mathew Biadun | News-Editor

Winter Storm Benjamin blitzed across the Northeast last weekend, bringing snowfalls unseen in years. Every corner of Connecticut experienced large amounts of snow, with the highest being in Falls Village (Canaan), which saw an astounding 22” of snow. While Windham saw only 13.5” in comparison, it was still enough for Eastern to cancel classes on both Monday and Tuesday, granting all students, particularly commuters, reprieve from a freezing walk to class.

Eastern’s students gratefully responded to the concern by making the most from the winter mini-vacation. Sleds and snowballs flew over the ever-falling snow as students took to the hills, particularly by Fine Arts and Occum, to cheerfully celebrate the winter weather. Others cooked, while some saw only misery, as poor parking choices left them stranded on campus. Select photos and videos from Fizz are seen below.

Unafraid of the windswept snow, students trudged across campus to Hurley in normal numbers. 696 Warriors swiped into Hurley Saturday, alongside 781 Sunday; typical numbers for a weekend. Monday saw less students than usual; compared to the typical 1500~ expected, only 913 swiped in on Monday, however.

Over thirty Facilities staff worked around the clock during the storms, salting stairways and plowing the pathways. Using small tractors that the staff call 'tugboats', workers almost constantly looped around the campus to keep the snow from piling up over the walkways.

Another snowstorm is possibly expected in the coming weekend, though likely not as intense. We recommend that students drive slowly, and in case the snow limits travel, keep some snacks or food inside your dorms.

A small hope lingers in us all for another snow day Monday, but, few believe it. A Fizz poll asking "Do you think we will have school Monday?" received 919 votes. 509 (55%) voted 'Yes', 119 (13%) voted 'No', and 291 (32%) voted 'Neutral/Results'. Though snow is expected Sunday, the snow is expected to be light.