Mason reopens with delayed start

Pathways begin to thaw and be cleared Thursday after Wednesday's storm hits campus. Several sidewalks were still scattered with patches of ice late Thursday night. (Daniel McEnrue)
Last updated: 6:32 a.m. 

George Mason University will reopen Friday at 9 a.m. due to the weather, according to a message sent out through its alert system Mason Alert.

The post-snowday delay means administrative offices are open and classes are in session across all campuses for the majority of the business day. The Law School will operate regular hours.

The university canceled evening classes Wednesday in anticipation of a storm that blanketed the D.C.-area with layers of ice and inches of snow, prompting power outages and traffic jams. 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 Wednesday due to gridlock.

Classes were additionally canceled Thursday due to inclement conditions.

Today's news on the full closure was first sent out through the Mason Alert system at 5:02 a.m. As of 6:39 a.m., there was no Facebook posting.

Additional Information

• Dining: Dining is open for "business as usual," according to Denise Ammaccapane, head of Mason Dining. 
  [updated: 6:19 a.m.]
   
• Transportation: Mason Shuttles will begin service at 8 a.m. This includes the Fairfax-Prince William Campus, Mason to Metro, West Campus Express, and Circulator routes. Gunston Go Bus will start at its normal time of 3 p.m.
  [updated: 6:19 a.m.]

Follow @connect2mason on Twitter and check back here for any updates on closures or operation hours. Connect2Mason will post information as it receives it.