CUIMC Campus Status

Updated February 5, 2025

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Weather Advisoryfor New York City and its surrounding areas, in effect from 4 a.m. through 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 6.

 The NWS is currently forecasting snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches with ice accumulation on roads and sidewalks. Expect slippery and hazardous conditions during the Thursday morning commute. Use mass transit, when possible, allow extra travel time, and use caution as you navigate around campus. Normal operations are anticipated on campus.

What We Are Doing

Facilities will have additional staff on campus to salt grounds and remove snow and ice.

Protect Your Spaces

Help us protect our campus by closing and locking all windows, blinds, and doors each day, especially in spaces that are not normally occupied. This simple act is the most important thing you can do to prevent freezing pipes and weather-related damage.

  • Be sure to close all windows in spaces that are not normally occupied (e.g., conference rooms). If you cannot fully close your window, please call CUIMC Facilities Management at 212-305-HELP (4357), option 3, for support.
  • Make sure all faucets are off.
  • Move electrical or valuable items off the floor and away from windows.
  • Turn off computers, lights, appliances, electronics, and any other non-essential office equipment when not in use, including space heaters and air conditioning units.
  • Review any departmental contingency plans and emergency protocols—including those related to equipment operation.
  • Make sure all critical equipment is connected to emergency power outlets. Contact CUIMC Facilities Management at 212-305-HELP (4357), option 3, if you are unsure and a representative will visit and assess your area.
  • Keep all freezers, refrigerators, and environmental room doors closed and limit access. Typically, this equipment will maintain temperature for approximately four (4) hours. Do not place dry ice or cryogenic materials in cold rooms, as they can create a hazardous, oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
  • Tightly seal all containers in fume hoods or remove and safely store them elsewhere in the lab. Shut off all gas valves servicing the fume hoods.
  • Refrain from conducting any laboratory work involving hazardous materials–including chemicals, biological, and radiological materials.
  • Sign up for real-time notifications from Public Safety and building-specific alerts from Facilities Management.
  • Review our winter safety tips to help you stay safe.

Contact Us for Support

  • If you see an unsafe condition on campus including slippery areas, please immediately contact Facilities Management at  ​212-305-HELP (4357), option 3 or email cumc.facilities@columbia.edu..
  • To report an emergency on campus 24/7, call Public Safety at 212-305-7979 (Medical Center).

The Emergency Management Operations Team is monitoring the situation and will keep you updated by email and/or text as well as via this site and the Columbia Preparedness site should new information become available that impacts you or our campus.

For the latest information on weather and transit, please visit: