Ice spat against the window, the wind howled through the trees and students prayed for more wintry weather. There were dreams of waking to a voice mail, television program and email all saying the same thing: SMU classes are canceled.

The inclement weather caused SMU to cancel Monday night’s classes. The libraries closed and some student groups canceled their meetings.

“Instead of studying all day for a test in my Monday night class, I chose instead to watch the National Weather Service website continuously,” a senior finance major Nancy Berry said. “I was thrilled to hear my diligence paid off and class was canceled.”

Margot Allen, a sophomore finance major, tried to go meet her teaching assistant Monday night, but turned around a block from her house. She said she could not see out her windshield due to the ice, and she feared hitting another car because it was sliding so much.

“I needed one of those ice pick things,” she said. “Obviously not something I typically think to keep around here in Dallas.”

The call on whether or not to hold classes Tuesday will be made by 5:30 a.m. by the SMU police, President Turner, and the Office of Public Affairs.

Looking at the streets and radar, Lt. Enrique Jemmott said, “I would have canceled it earlier, but it’s not up to me-it’s the chief’s call”

Jemmott spent Monday night offering students escorts on the icy roads, although he said he urged students to stay in if possible.

The ice should remain on roads as the temperature is expected to remain below freezing until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Many students will wake and check multiple sources to get updates.

Students can check various sources for up-to-date school closing information including television, e-mail and by phoning in to (214) SMU-INFO for the announcement.

And of course, it is always acceptable upon hearing that classes will continue to check another source in hopes of finding a mistake by the original source.

“It would be dangerous to hold classes (today),” said Russell Oshman, a senior financial consulting major. “I think SMU could potentially be looking at a major lawsuit,” he laughed.

Other students say they feel their personal circumstances should affect the university’s decision on whether or not to hold classes.

“I have a test Tuesday, which should greatly contribute to the university’s call,” sophomore engineering major Todd Lindley said.