Emergency Closing Policy

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is UConn's paramount consideration. At the same time, the University has important teaching, research, and service missions to carry out. We balance these factors when considering whether the University can safely and effectively maintain normal operations during and after inclement weather or other unusual events.

With that in mind, we make decisions very carefully about cancelling classes or curbing business operations at our campuses, using the information available to us at the time about weather forecasts, road conditions, and other considerations.

The following guidance applies to all UConn locations except UConn Health, which has its own policies and procedures.

How you'll know UConn's status:

When we determine it is necessary to cancel or delay classes, or to change business operations at the University, we'll notify the UConn community as quickly as possible.
When we determine it is necessary to cancel or delay classes, or to change business operations at the University, we'll notify the UConn community as quickly as possible.
This site (https://alert.uconn.edu) is the definitive source of information about the University's operating status.
The University notifies the media about operating changes at UConn's campuses, but we cannot guarantee that details provided by news outlets represent the most current or complete information.

What stays open, what might change:

UConn follows suit if the Governor closes state agency buildings or restricts road travel due to weather conditions.
Certain essential UConn operations continue despite inclement weather, including public safety, residential and dining services, health services, animal care, facility maintenance, and other critical services.
Decisions about whether to continue or cancel specific services, such as transportation, are made on a case-by-case basis depending on existing conditions and needs.
The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, UConn Athletics, and other units that sponsor events and activities decide independently whether to continue or cancel their events, and you should contact them directly with questions.

Academic Operations:

If UConn announces a delayed opening or early closure, classes that would have at least one hour of instructional time under the modified schedule are still expected to meet (albeit on the modified schedule).
If UConn announces a delay or cancellation of classes, the delay or cancellation pertains only to in-person classes. For online or hybrid modality classes, instructors may choose whether to hold the class as scheduled or cancel.
If instructors choose to hold the class, the following conditions must be met:
- The class is provided in an online format.
- It is recorded in a manner that allows students to view it later.
- Students are given at least 72 hours (starting from when classes are once again held) to view the missed class before any materials from that class are used again in the course.
- Students are not penalized for not being present synchronously.
If the University does not announce a delay or cancellation of classes, faculty are expected to hold their classes as scheduled in the modality originally advertised.
If a faculty member determines that they cannot travel safely to campus, the faculty member must notify all students in the class in a timely manner along with their dean and department head.
Faculty must not preemptively cancel class before the University decides and announces whether UConn's normal schedule will be changed.
Students should contact their professors as soon as possible if they must miss a class or other activity due to weather conditions.
Faculty should respect the decisions of commuting students who decide not to travel to campus or to leave class early to get home safely, and should provide options for them to make up missed work.

Further details on weather-related impacts on academic operations and frequently asked questions are available via the Winter Weather & Academic Operations FAQ on the Provost's website.

Keep safety first when traveling:

Always consider your safety first. Weather and road conditions can vary considerably across the state and from one UConn campus to another.
With that in mind, all members of the University community should evaluate the circumstances they face, plan extra time for their commute if necessary, and take other common-sense measures including wearing footwear with deep treads and good traction to avoid slipping.
Employees and students are reminded to be particularly vigilant while driving or walking on campus during inclement weather, including around vehicles conducting plowing and sanding activities. Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way.

Who reports to campus, and when:

Emergency and essential staff must remain at, or report to, in-person work as directed. Supervisors must learn and follow their units' related procedures. UConn's policy and guidance on the Human Resources site are helpful in understanding these expectations.
Employees who decide not to come to campus or to leave campus early due to travel safety concerns may use a vacation day, personal time, or other accrued time without advance approval, but must notify their supervisors that they are doing so.
If approved by their supervisor, they may also be able to work remotely.
For typically in-person employees: If UConn directs those employees not to report to campus due to weather or other operational changes, they are expected to work from home unless they have a manager-approved flexible schedule or use accrued time (i.e., vacation or personal time).
Supervisors are encouraged to consider difficulties that storms may cause for employees, such as electrical or internet outages. Employees are expected to notify their supervisors or managers in such instances to determine how to proceed.
All employees working remotely are expected to be accessible and responsive to supervisors during work hours by email and telephone. Supervisors expect that assigned work that can be accomplished remotely is completed on time.
Employees on an approved telecommuting or remote work schedule should continue to work that schedule unless they receive approval to flex their time that day.
Supervisors may make reasonable adjustments to continue University business, including holding meetings by teleconference or virtually; and employees who would normally be present at work may be required to participate.

Again, we wish to emphasize the paramount importance of safety. Faculty, staff, and students should evaluate their own circumstances carefully, exercise appropriate judgment, and take responsibility for their safety when making decisions during inclement weather and other operational changes due to emergency situations at UConn Storrs and regional campuses.