UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State officials are closely monitoring the winter storm that is expected to make landfall in Centre County early on Thursday morning and are making contingency plans for final exams should inclement weather interrupt regular operations at the University Park campus.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of Central Pennsylvania that forecasts possible accumulations of snow and ice in the region on Thursday.
With different forecasting models predicting varying timings and severities of the storm, the University will make a final determination about how the storm may impact operations closer to its arrival. Information will be shared with the University Park community by 5 a.m. on Thursday.
The University Registrar also is making plans to reschedule final exams at University Park that may be disrupted by the weather on Thursday, if necessary. These plans are still in development, and will depend on the timing and severity of the precipitation. Plans will be shared in advance of any impacted final exam. Options include rescheduling Thursday exams on Friday as well as some exams on Saturday morning, if absolutely necessary. Some instructors also may decide to offer an exam asynchronously online. For students living on campus, contingency plans also include extending the move-out date for on-campus students who have their final exams rescheduled.
“We know this is an important and stressful time for our students and faculty, and the potential for winter weather only adds to that stress. The safety of our students, staff and faculty, however, is paramount and we will make adjustments to final exam schedules if necessary to keep our community safe,” said Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Justin Schwartz. “Final exams on Saturday could fall during commencement ceremonies or be scheduled after some students were expecting to leave campus for winter break. We are asking our faculty to be flexible with students who have scheduling conflicts for various reasons and to work directly with their students to find solutions.
“Many instructors are already making plans for alternative exams and we certainly encourage them to do so to ease the impact of this storm on their students,” Schwartz said. “Additional information about the University’s plans will be shared as we continue to monitor the weather.”
Every Penn State campus location makes its own decisions regarding the weather, and whether or not to cancel classes, exams and activities, depending on local conditions. Details for each campus will be shared on campus websites as needed.
The University community is reminded that during inclement weather, the Office of Physical Plant will be working diligently to clear sidewalks, parking lots and roadways as quickly as possible. In the event that normal operations at a Penn State location are disrupted due to snow or other weather or emergency conditions, individuals are urged to avoid coming to campus, if possible, and those who must visit campus should remain alert and avoid sections of campus that may be covered in snow or ice.
When severe weather strikes Penn State's University Park campus, individuals can stay informed of delays and cancellations by using Penn State's PSUAlert system, Twitter account, the Penn State News website, and WPSU TV and radio. Penn Staters at other campuses can stay informed about delays and cancellations via PSUAlert and their campus’ website and social media channels.
All employees and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety. Faculty, staff and students should use their own best judgment when considering traveling to campus or the need to leave early during times of inclement weather. Faculty and staff should review Handling Weather Day Absences (Human Resources Guideline 10) for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled. Union-represented employees should reference their collective bargaining agreements. Information on class attendance policies is available at undergrad.psu.edu and in Faculty Senate Policy 42-27 (Class Attendance).
More information on the University’s winter weather procedures is available on Penn State News.