At 5:22 a.m. Wednesday, administration sent emails, texts and social media messages to alert students of delayed start time.

Almost three hours later at 8:15 a.m., administration sent another message: “Due to anticipated weather conditions, MSU main campus will be closed today.”

According to Keith Lamb, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, he coordinated with campus police to make the calls this morning. The conversation began last night as on-campus police monitored the developing weather, but Lamb said they wanted to gauge the weather closer to start time on Wednesday to ensure safety and accuracy for the population.

“Our intent is never to have classes in session if we know bad weather’s coming,” Lamb said. “We have the ability to wake up fairly early, evaluate conditions and make a decision before our buses begin. We generally can wait just a little bit later and it generally won’t affect our buses.”

Surrounding area schools like Wichita Falls and Vernon Independent School Districts canceled classes last night, however, Lamb said because ISDs have have to consider lmuch different factors” than higher education, they make the calls earlier on. Lamb said ISDs have to “worry about children in buses without seat belts,” so college campuses have more time to see if the weather will develop before they cancel classes.

“The campus is closed, and with expected ice conditions, we don’t want anyone getting out and getting hurt. Only essential personal are required to be on campus today,” Lamb said. “Dining services are still on because students need to eat obviously, housing is still open, as well as the Student Center will be open, so students have places to go. We still tried to leave items open so students aren’t stuck on campus.”

Classes are scheduled to resume on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 8 a.m.

Due to anticipated weather conditions, the university will be closed today. All classes are canceled. pic.twitter.com/dIcVOb33Dm

— Midwestern State (@MidwesternState) February 21, 2018