Weather Closure: Tuesday, January 26 Open or Close Alert Message
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Due to continued winter weather impacts and slow overnight recovery conditions, Western New England University will remain closed on Tuesday. All classes, offices, and in-person activities are canceled for the day. We expect to resume normal operations on Wednesday morning, and will provide updates should conditions change.

Campus Services During the Closure

While most in-person activities will pause, essential services will remain available for students living on campus. The following services are expected to remain open or staffed:

  • Residence Halls (RDs/RAs on duty)
  • Dining (modified hours as needed)
  • Public Safety
  • Facilities/Housekeeping
  • University Operator
  • Health Services (TBD by Director)

Students living on campus should continue to expect regular support from Residence Life and Public Safety.

Classes and Remote Work

Students

All offices and in-person activities are canceled for the day. In-person classes are canceled but may be held remotely at the discretion of faculty. Faculty will communicate directly, so please check your email and course site for updates. 

Classes that are already scheduled to be fully remote will continue as usual unless otherwise communicated by your instructor. 

Staff
Staff who are able to work remotely should coordinate with supervisors as appropriate. Staff whose work requires on-campus presence should follow supervisor guidance.

Staying Informed
The University’s Inclement Weather Policy is available on the WNE website via the homepage banner. Any changes or reopening information will be shared through WNE Alert, email, and the University website.

Thank you for your flexibility and cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of our campus community.  A special THANK YOU to the Facilities and Public Safety teams for all their hard work and dedication during this significant storm!

WNE skyline.
Office of the President

Office of the President

Meet Interim President Michael B. Alexander

Michael B. Alexander is a visionary higher education leader with a deep commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and student-centered innovation. With more than 16 years of presidential experience, he has built a reputation for driving institutional growth, cultivating inclusive learning communities, and advancing access to higher education.

Born in Springfield, Ohio, Alexander spent his first year living in the President’s House at Antioch College, offering an early and symbolic start to a lifetime in education and leadership.

From 2007 to 2023, he served as President of Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts. During his tenure, Lasell saw significant transformation: the university’s endowment more than doubled, graduate enrollment grew fourteen‑fold, and the campus was revitalized through extensive construction and renovation projects. He also served as CEO of Lasell Village, a pioneering retirement community integrated into the university, where residents actively participated in educational life.

Alexander is the founder of the Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges, a national consortium of more than 135 institutions working together to reduce the cost of a private college education.

In 2023–24, he was named the Judith McLaughlin President‑in‑Residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he co-taught courses on the future of American postsecondary education and ethical leadership while mentoring graduate students.

He holds an A.B. in History and Literature of America, cum laude, from Harvard University and an M.A. in Education from The Ohio State University, and completed all coursework toward a doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Lasell University in 2023.

On July 1, 2025, Alexander was named Interim President of Western New England University, a role he embraces with enthusiasm and purpose.

“I have long admired Western New England University and am honored to join the WNE community,” said Alexander. “WNE’s legacy of preparing students for meaningful careers and active, engaged citizenship resonates deeply with my own professional priorities and philosophy. I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to build on that legacy and position the university for an even stronger future.”