University Park, Pa. — Early morning snowfall has led to the cancellation of classes, activities, and work at Penn State’s University Park campus until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19. Only essential staff should report to campus.
Class Updates
In-person Classes: Classes scheduled between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on November 19 are canceled. Instructors may provide content asynchronously, like recorded lectures or reading assignments. Synchronous remote sessions are not typical unless specified by the University Faculty Senate policy.
Hybrid Classes: Like in-person classes, hybrid courses for the same time frame are canceled. Instructors will communicate plans to students for alternative learning methods.
Online Classes: Online classes will proceed as planned without any changes.
Activity Cancellations
All planned in-person activities from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on November 19 are canceled. Activities starting at or after 10 a.m. will continue as scheduled.
Employee Guidelines
Essential Employees: If you have been designated as essential, you must report to work as directed. These employees are eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Time.
Non-Essential Employees: All other employees do not need to report until normal operations resume and will receive Campus Closure Pay according to university policy.
Specific Instructions
Employees scheduled to work before 10 a.m. should report at 10 a.m. to complete their shift and will receive pay for the time missed.
Those whose shifts fall entirely between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. should not come in and will receive Campus Closure Pay.
Employees scheduled to start work at or after 10 a.m. should report as usual.
Monitoring Conditions
University officials are monitoring the weather and will keep the community informed. Updates will be shared through Penn State News, the PSUAlert system, and WPSU-FM.
Safety First
Everyone is encouraged to prioritize their safety. It’s important to use good judgment when deciding whether to travel to campus during adverse weather conditions. Faculty and staff should consult the university guidelines for how missed work time is handled. Students should also coordinate with instructors if they miss class due to the weather.
Historically, early snowfalls have disrupted schedules at universities across the country. In 2021, a similar early snowfall led many to voice their frustrations on social media, highlighting the unpredictability of fall weather. Staying informed and prepared can help mitigate disruptions in the future.
For the latest updates, check out the PSUAlert system and handling weather day absences policy for further information.
