The effects of Superstorm Sandy are reaching beyond the Northeast coast, even touching the campus community.

On Nov. 8, the Speakers and Issues Series featuring Paul Anastas, the director of Yale University’s center for green chemistry and green engineering, was canceled due to the difficult traveling conditions on the East coast.

The “Father of Green Chemistry” was supposed to discuss  the molecular revolution and how science relates to politics in society.

“This was the first cancellation in the 12 years that the Series has been in existence,” said Claudia Montayo, Spanish professor and faculty adviser in charge of the Speakers and Issues Series.

Montoya said it was an uncontrollable event.

“The university has lost about $93.17 due to the cancellation of this program. That was the cost of flyers that were distributed on campus mail to Faculty and staff,” she said.

Montoya also stated the speaker’s plane tickets will be reimbursed by the airline, since the flight was cancelled due to weather.

The speaker’s fee is not paid until after the presentation is delivered, so that cost has not yet been taken from the budget.

Although Anastas canceled, Montoya said the cancellation would not impact the Speakers and Issues Series’ budget.

“We have a small budget to work with and we try to bring as many speakers as possible with it, so we try to plan things as carefully as possible,” Montoya said.

Julie Gaynor, director of public information and marketing, said her department did not lose any money from the advertisements of the two separate series.

“In addition to helping coordinate the advertising, my office is responsible for the distribution of public service announcements,” Gaynor said.  “That information is distributed electronically to media outlets, so there are no hard costs associated.”

Anastas was not the only speaker affected by the foul weather.

The Music Series at Akin was forced to cancel the performance of award-winning pianist Lucille Chung on Nov. 1.

Even though this was the first cancellation for the Speakers and Issues Series, Montoya said she is confident that the cancellation will not negatively impact the series.

“Some people may be discouraged to attend future presentations for being afraid of cancellation, but if the public understands that we don’t have control over the weather, everything should be fine,” she said.

Gaynor said she also agrees that the cancellations of the two presenters will not be an issue.

“It is unfortunate that we had to cancel some of this semester’s guest appearances, but no one can control the weather. It just happens that both guests reside on the East Coast,” Gaynor said.

Fortunately, Gaynor confirmed the Music Series at Akin has rescheduled Lucille Chung for April 1, 2013.

A date has not yet been given for Dr. Anastas’ lecture for the Speakers and Issues Series, but Montoya said the presentation will take place sometime in the spring semester.