It is the policy of the University of Hartford to keep its campus open during inclement weather unless a determination is made to close based on current and forecast conditions. When such a determination is made, the University will announce either a campus closing or delayed opening. Faculty and instructors are expected to follow the announced schedule and to conduct class when the University is open.
Please note that when campus closing prevents an in-person class from meeting at its scheduled time, professors may opt to conduct classes or provide assignments online. Students should check Blackboard and their email regularly on such days to learn of any alternate arrangements. Online courses are not affected by campus closings.
During the time that the campus is closed, individuals will not be permitted to enter campus other than providers of critical services (see below) and residential students.
Providers of Critical Services
Staff performing critical functions in departments that are responsible for public safety, health, and facility operations must report to work as they normally would, or as directed by their supervisors, during a campus closing. Employees who are unsure if they are considered a critical-service provider should discuss the matter with their supervisors immediately.
Changes to the University's operating schedule are communicated as outlined below:
Sources to Monitor University Closings
The University's Web Alert system will be activated if there is an advisory. A message will appear on the University's home page (hartford.edu) detailing the emergency announcement.
Dial the University's main number (860.768.4100), where you will hear the latest emergency information if the normal operating schedule has been altered.
Emergency closing alerts will be sent via text message to students, faculty, and staff who have accurate cell phone numbers registered in the Self-Service Center.
Confirm or modify your cell phone number on the Text-Alert System emergency notifications page.
Independent of text alerts on cell phones, all currently enrolled students and active employees will automatically receive emergency notifications through their official University email.
Radio and Television Announcements
While the University provides information to network TV affiliates (WFSB 3, WTNH 8, WVIT 30, WTIC 61), we urge you to follow up on any announcements you see on TV by checking the University's website or by calling 860.768.4100. TV stations provide limited information and don't offer the complete advisory available on the University's website and main telephone number as described above. In addition, most area radio stations have eliminated announcing weather-related closings.
Under most circumstances, the University will open 20 to 30 minutes prior to the next scheduled standard class time. Faculty and staff should not arrive on campus prior to this announced opening time.
During exam periods, Winterterm, and Summerterm, the advisory will specifically detail exam and class times affected and the preceding may not apply. The following summary applies to regular fall and spring semester classes held on campus:
Openings and Closings
If it is announced that the "UHart campus will open at 10 a.m., classes will begin at 10:30 a.m."- Faculty and staff should report to campus at, and not prior to, 10 a.m.
- In-person classes will begin at 10:30 a.m.
- All in-person classes of 90 minutes or less with a start time prior to 10:30 a.m. will not meet.
- All in-person classes and labs scheduled at or after 10:30 a.m. will be held at their normal times.
- All in-person classes and labs longer than 90 minutes with a start time prior to 10:30 a.m. will meet beginning at 10:30 a.m. if 50 percent or more of the regular meeting time remains. (A 9:30 a.m. to noon lab would meet at 10:30 a.m. because more than 50 percent of the lab time remains.)
- All in-person classes with start times at or after 2 p.m. will not be held.
- All in-person classes in session at 2 p.m. will dismiss.
Online Courses
Online courses at the University are not affected by weather-related closings and will meet as scheduled.
Transportation
On days that the University announces a campus closing due to severe weather, campus shuttles will not operate. If the University opens late, the off-campus shuttle route will begin with the next scheduled pick-up time. On-campus shuttle service will begin at the time the University opens. If the University closes early, the shuttle will pick up passengers at the Handel Center to return them to campus at the exact announced time of the University closing. A final off-campus route with all stops will leave Millard Circle 15 minutes after the official closing time. On-campus shuttle service will end with the circuit of campus that immediately follows the official closing time.
Students on Campus
For students residing on campus, the Commons will remain open for dining during its regular hours when the University has closed due to severe weather.
The Sports Center follows the operating schedule of the University and will be closed when the University is closed.
The nature of the programs and the age of participants in the Hartt Community Division require that its closings be more closely aligned with those of the local public school systems and may not reflect those of the University.
FAQ
How are decisions to close or open late made?
UHart's Storm Operations and Communications Committee reviews updated storm information, analyzes current and expected road conditions in the area, and evaluates conditions on campus among many factors considered before making its determination.
When are the decisions made?
If only the New England weather were an exact science! Weather in our area can change dramatically in a very short time and no two situations are exactly alike. This makes committing to a specific time frame problematic. However, we recognize that people are anxious for a decision to be made and have varied commuting schedules. We make every effort to communicate decisions for all-day closings and delayed openings by 6 a.m. and early closings a minimum of two hours in advance.
How do we learn if the University campus is closed?
Online: Go to hartford.edu and look for an alert on top of each page
Phone: Call 860.768.4100, and listen to the message at the beginning
Text Alert: sent to the cell phone registered in self-service center (hartford.edu/alert)
Email: notification sent to University email for all students, faculty, and staff
What about TV or radio?
Local television stations provide limited information and do not offer the complete advisory available on the University's website and main telephone number. In addition, most area radio stations have eliminated announcing weather-related closings. Please double check any announcements you do or do not see on TV by checking the University's website (hartford.edu) or by calling 860.768.4100.
What college department should I call to find out whether the campus is closed or is going to close?
None. Students, faculty, staff, and the public should not call any college department or public safety to find out whether the University is closed or is going to close. They will not have any "inside scoop" to share. As soon as an official decision to close is made, it will be communicated within minutes via the website, main phone number, and text message.
How do I get text alerts on my cell phone?
Faculty, staff, and students who have accurate cell phone numbers recorded in the Self-Service Center will receive emergency text alerts, including notice of weather-related closings, on their cell phones. Confirm your current number is registered and learn more on Text-Alert System.
Can I get the text alerts if I don't have a cell phone?
All currently registered students and active employees will automatically receive the same emergency notifications through their official University email.
What if it is snowing and I do not see a message on the Web?
An advisory will be issued when there is a campus closing or delayed opening. If you do not see an alert at hartford.edu or hear a message upon calling 860.768.4100, the University is operating on a normal schedule.
Do the magnet schools on campus follow the schedule of the University during severe weather?
No, the University decision is independent of the magnet schools, so be cautious if “University of Hartford” catches your attention during radio closing announcements as it may be referring to the magnet schools—another reason why radio is not a recommended source.
Why can’t I arrive on campus before the announced opening time?
In addition to the safety risk to both you and our facilities staff, the presence of people and vehicles on campus greatly hinders our ability to effectively clear campus of snow and ice. The announced opening time is usually 30 minutes before the start of classes to allow for arrival.
Are my online courses affected by weather-related closings?
No. Online courses at the University are not affected by weather-related closings and meet at their scheduled times.
If classes begin at 10:30, do I have to show up then to my 9:30 a.m. lab?
It depends on the length of your lab. All classes or labs longer than 90 minutes in duration with a normal start time prior to 10:30 would meet beginning at 10:30 if 50 percent or more of the class or lab time remains. In the example above, a 9:30 to 11 a.m. lab would not meet but a 9:30 a.m. to noon lab would meet when classes begin (since the lab is normally scheduled for more than 90 minutes and half or more of the scheduled lab time remains once classes begin at 10:30). During exam periods, Winterterm, and Summerterm, the advisory will specifically detail exam and class times affected and the preceding may not apply.
I left something in my office. Can I come to campus to get it during a closing?
No. Unfortunately, for safety reasons and to allow the facilities team to do their work without obstacles, faculty and staff (outside of providers of critical services as outlined at the top of this page) should not attempt to enter campus during the announced time that the University is closed.
What if another organization is holding an event at UHart and the campus is closed at the scheduled date and time?
If an event on campus run by another entity is canceled due to the University being closed, please contact the host group.
Who removes and treats snow and ice on campus?
Our dedicated Facilities staff works tirelessly during the winter to remove snow and apply ice treatment. If you notice an area on campus that is in particular need of attention, please let us know by calling 860.768.7925 or reporting it using our online TMA Service Request Form.