The University of Connecticut has sent out winter weather policies and procedures for the 2025-26 Academic Year.
Safety:
- UConn policies stress that students should prioritize safety and assess their own conditions, especially concerning driving in inclement weather.
- Decisions to cancel classes or modify operations are made with the safety of students and faculty in mind.
Keeping up to date:
- Often, due to the rapidly changing nature of weather, decisions for adjustments to scheduled classes/business hours are made with short notice. Staying informed about university status is key.
- The best way to keep updated with cancellations and closings is UConn Alert.
- Another way to check university status is using the 24-hour emergency closing information number: 860-486-3768.
- Decisions to cancel services, like transportation, are made on a case-by-case basis.
- The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts and UConn Athletics decide independently whether to continue or cancel events.
Class Cancellations, Delays, or Early Closures:
- If UConn has announced a delayed opening or early closure, classes that are at least one hour long with the modified schedule are still expected to meet.
- In the case of online or hybrid classes, instructors choose whether to hold the class or cancel. If instructors choose to hold the class, the following conditions must be met:
- The class must be provided in an online format.
- The class must be recorded for students to view later.
- Students must be given at least 72 hours to view the missed class before any materials from that class are used again in the course.
- Students must not be penalized for not being present synchronously.
- For canceled in-person classes, instructors can provide asynchronous class materials. However, if such materials are provided, students must be given 72 hours to view those materials before they are used in the class.
- Exams cannot be required on days when classes are canceled, even if they can be administered online.
- If UConn has not closed but there is inclement weather, instructors can choose to hold or cancel the class at their discretion.
- If students decide not to travel to campus or to leave early if needed to ensure their own safety, instructors must respect the decision and offer make-up work.
UConn Health Policies:
- Notifications of emergency closing decisions are only communicated by UConn Health; they do not notify media outlets.
- Students can call the UConn Health operational status hotline: 860-679-2001.
- If the operation status hotline is disrupted, the backup number is: 860-486-9292.