Policy Statement
During the year it may be necessary to close or delay campus activities due to inclement weather or other emergencies.
Reason for Policy
To create a procedure, define authority and decision making, and to document the guidelines related to a campus closure or a delayed opening.
Who Is Governed by this Policy
Faculty, Staff, and Students
Policy
The decision to close the campus or have a delayed opening will be made by 6:00 a.m. by the Vice President for Finance and Administration in consultation with Facilities and Public Safety.
Public announcements, updates to the WNE website, email, and text (via WNE Alert system), radio, and television will be provided to faculty, staff, and students. To receive text alerts, you should download the new WNE ALERT app.
The decision will consider campus and road conditions, the severity of the weather conditions, the pending forecast, and other circumstances. When the State of Massachusetts issues an order to close in response to a weather advisory or declares a state of emergency or alert, we will evaluate it in relation to local conditions and community safety.
Closing the Campus (prior to start of the day):
- Employees designated as critical on-campus employees are still required to report to work at the usual time (consult your manager if you are unsure if your role is considered critical). All other employees in consultation with your manager should plan to work remotely to the extent possible when the campus is closed so that normal business operations may continue.
- Scheduled face-to-face classes will not take place on campus. At faculty discretion or as guided by College or School practices, face-to-face classes may be transitioned that day to a remote learning environment or cancelled. Faculty should communicate directly with their students whether classes will be held remotely or what activity, if any, will take place.
- Classes already scheduled to take place in a remote environment will take place as usual. Any exceptions (determined by faculty discretion) should be communicated by faculty directly to their students.
- Students should consult their email or LMS site for information from instructors about individual classes.
Delayed Opening (late start):
- Employees designated as critical on-campus employees are still required to report to work at the usual time (consult your manager if you are unsure if your role is considered critical). All other employees in consultation with your manager should plan to work remotely to the extent possible when there is a delayed opening so that normal business operations may continue.
- Scheduled face-to-face classes beginning and ending before the delayed start time will not take place on campus. At faculty discretion or as guided by College or School practices, face-to-face classes may be transitioned that day to a remote learning environment or cancelled. Faculty should communicate directly with their students whether classes will be held remotely or what activity, if any, will take place.
- Classes already scheduled to take place in a remote environment will take place as usual. Any exceptions (determined by faculty discretion) should be communicated by faculty directly to their students.
- Students should consult their email or LMS site for information from instructors about individual classes.
When the campus is closed or there is a delayed start, the following services will remain open:
- Public Safety
- Facilities/Housekeeping
- Dining
- Residence Halls (RDs/RAs)
- Center for Health and Well-Being (TBD by Director)
- Computer labs
- University Operator
Athletic events will continue (or be cancelled) at the direction of the Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics will be responsible for notifying athletic event participants.
Other special events on campus will continue (or be cancelled) at the direction of the Event Sponsor. The Event Sponsor will be responsible for notifying special event participants.
Effective Date
January 7, 2026
Who Approved This Policy
President's Cabinet