Due to the forecast of snow, high winds and limited visibility, the University of Guelph has adopted weather-related emergency procedures and is closed today – Feb. 25 – to protect the safety of students, faculty and staff.

Impact on campus operations

All University buildings and facilities are closed with the exception of emergency services (Campus Community Police and Fire Safety).

This closure extends to all on-campus community spaces including the:

  • Library
  • University Centre
  • Athletics Centre
  • Child Care and Learning Centre
  • Ontario Veterinary College clinics (emergency service is still available)
  • Arboretum, and
  • All other campus buildings.

Creelman Hall, Lennox and Addington Halls, and East and South Residence dining facilities remain open for students living on campus.

Today’s closure means:

  • Classes are cancelled – this includes evening classes
  • Midterm exams will be rescheduled and deadlines for assignments and other submissions due today should be discussed with the course instructor when the University reopens – instructors will have more information
  • Meetings and events scheduled on campus are cancelled
  • The semester will not be extended as a result of the Feb. 6, 12 and 25 University closures – instructors will decide on an individual basis how course material will be covered.
  • The March 8 “40th class day” deadline for dropping classes is not affected.

Reporting to work

Only those employees who have been notified in advance by their supervisors that they are considered essential workers as per the Hazardous Weather policy are expected to report to work. For those employees, public transportation is recommended for safety reasons whenever possible.

All other staff are not expected to be at work.

Those employees designated as essential workers are encouraged to take extra caution when commuting to work. Supervisors of essential workers are asked to be flexible with starting times given the inclement conditions.

Closure policy

The decision to close is based on a variety of factors, including weather forecasts, road conditions and availability of public transportation. For more information, please refer to the Hazardous Weather/Emergency Closing Procedures policy.

Where to find information

Please continue to monitor the uoguelph.ca website for updates and information.

Students, faculty and staff at the Ridgetown campus and at the University of Guelph-Humber are encouraged to monitor their respective websites for information.

When a winter storm hits and you need to know whether the University is open, the best information sources are: