UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State officials are monitoring a potential winter storm that could impact travel for students returning to University Park and campuses across the state for the spring 2024 semester, which begins Monday, Jan. 8.
While predicted snowfall totals and timing continue to evolve, current forecasts are calling for approximately 4 to 8 inches of snow in the State College area, with most of the precipitation occurring during the afternoon and evening hours on Saturday, Jan. 6. Due to the timing of the storm, residence halls at University Park will reopen at 6 a.m. on Saturday, two hours earlier than originally planned, to accommodate students and families who would like to arrive early to avoid the snow.
With the bulk of the storm expected to move out of the Centre Region on Sunday morning, Jan. 7, Penn State Housing and Food Services is encouraging University Park students to arrive either early Saturday morning or mid-afternoon on Sunday. Staff will be present on both Saturday and Sunday to assist arriving students, and the Office of Physical Plant will be working to keep campus roadways, sidewalks and parking lots clear of snow.
Students and their families are urged to use caution and stay safe when driving to and from campus, and to monitor the latest forecast and road conditions before traveling. The University will continue to track the storm, and if additional changes to student move-in are needed, information will be emailed directly to students living on campus and posted at arrival.psu.edu/spring/university-park and on social media.
Commonwealth Campus impacts
With snow expected statewide this weekend, Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses also are monitoring the storm, and decisions to adjust move-in schedules for University-owned housing will be made on a campus-by-campus basis.
Several campuses have announced updated opening dates and times for on-campus housing, as follows:
- Behrend: Saturday, noon
- Berks: Saturday, 11 a.m.
- Harrisburg: Friday, noon
- Hazleton: Saturday, 8:30 a.m.
- Schuylkill: Saturday, 11 a.m.
In addition, the Abington and Brandywine campuses are offering Saturday arrival by request.
Unless otherwise noted, University housing at the Commonwealth Campuses will open at 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 7. Commonwealth Campus students living on campus will be notified by email if their campus adjusts available move-in dates and times. Information about spring arrival for each campus is available at arrival.psu.edu.