University remains closed for day two of inclement weather

Students trek across campus Wednesday as the snow begins to fall. (Jake McLemon)
Last updated: 3:15 p.m. 

George Mason University will remain closed Thursday due to the weather, according to a message sent out through its alert system Mason Alert.

Administrative offices are closed and classes are cancelled across all campuses. The decision comes as the university recovers from a snowstorm that blanketed the D.C.-area with several inches of snow, and even exposed some community members to thundersnow.

The university canceled evening classes Wednesday in anticipation of the storm. Sounding off across social networks, many have criticized the timing of the late afternoon Mason Alert notification, questioning the news' first posting on Facebook and calling the text alert a late move for commuters coming to campus for evening classes and those trying to leave during the rush hour. Students and professors have reported  anywhere between two to eight hours of added time on the road due to gridlock.

Today's news on the full closure was first sent out through the Mason Alert system at 4:43 a.m. The Facebook posting came at about 6 a.m., a little over hour later.

Additional Information

• Dining: Southside opened at approximately 8 a.m. and is scheduled to remaining open until 9 p.m. The following locations are also now open: Starbucks, Express, La Patisserie, Burger King, Mein Bowl and Sub Connection.
  
  Pilot House is scheduled to open at 5 p.m. for normal operation hours, according, according to Denise Ammaccapane, head of Mason Dining. 
  
  Mason Dining is additionally sending information to students via e-mail blasts.
  
  Connect2Mason will report on other operation hour changes as it receives info.
  [updated: 3:15 p.m.]
   
• Transportation: There will be no shuttle service due to the inclement weather.
  [updated 6:56 a.m.]
   
• Recreation:  The Aquatic and Fitness Center will open at 12 p.m. Skyline Fitness will open with normal hours. The Recreation and Athletic Complex is closed.
  [updated 10:39 a.m.]
   
• Basketball: The Men's Basketball game versus Towson, originally scheduled for Wednesday night, has been postponed until 4 p.m. today. Admission is free. Free video and radio will also be provided through GoMason.com. 
  [updated 10:28 a.m.]
   

Follow @connect2mason on Twitter and check back here for updates on closures and operation hours later during the day. Connect2Mason will post information as it receives it.