Public Safety is tracking a significant snowfall that will be arriving in our area late Sunday morning (Jan. 25). It will snow heavily throughout the day and evening eventually tapering off Monday (Jan. 26) with 10-14 inches expected statewide. A sleet and freezing rain mix is also possible along the shore. Temperatures will be in the teens and twenties.
Due to this significant winter storm and the extensive campus clean-up operations that will need to take place, all in-person day and evening classes scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026 have been cancelled. All scheduled in-person classes will transition to being held online or remotely. Additional information on the virtual format for each class will be provided by your instructor.
Faculty have been asked to prepare for Online or Remote sessions in the event of in-person meeting cancellations. These options will be determined by the Faculty member and all questions should be directed to the Faculty teaching each course section. Faculty also have been asked to be very understanding and accommodating of the individual situations of their students who may have difficulty managing these alternative online or remote class meetings on short notice.
Please note that only essential employees, as previously determined by their respective department leaders, should report to campus. All other employees should fulfill the requirements of their role remotely.
Campus operations for residential students, unless otherwise noted, will operate as scheduled, though hours may be modified or changed based on the conditions. Separate messages will be sent from the Peterson Library, the Beckerman Recreation Center, and Dining Services regarding any changes to their normal hours of operation. The Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation will remain open for residential students to use for study space and to participate in online classes.
Off-campus students that live in the City of West Haven should abide by the city’s parking ban during inclement weather to avoid having their vehicle tagged and towed. Please check the City of West Haven’s website for further information on their snow parking ban.
The Charger Blog
A recent Zoom discussion brought together more than 180 members of the University community to discuss recent incidents of racism and brutality across the nation and to find ways to promote inclusion, diversity, and education.
June 22, 2020
“Black lives matter.”
That’s how Juan Hernandez, director of the University of New Haven’s Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion, opened a recent panel discussion that brought the University community together to discuss issues such as race, inclusion, and bias.
Held in response to the recent incidents of police brutality, racism, and injustice across the country, the discussion included students, alumni, faculty, and staff for an emotional and, at times, painful conversation.
Hernandez, who served as moderator of the panel, wanted it to be an opportunity for all members of the University community to have a voice.
“Everyone is visible, and we can see each other’s faces,” said Hernandez. “There is no hierarchy, there is no ‘you see us, but we don’t see you.’ Not only will you be seen, you will also be heard. You will be respected, and you will be acknowledged.”
"This is not a happy moment, but we are extremely proud that our community is joining together. What I’m hoping for is a much larger, much deeper conversation..."Juan Hernandez
Titled “A Conversation in Response to Hate & Bias,” the discussion brought together a diverse group of faculty and staff members who served as panelists. Many, including Patrick Rivers, Ph.D., an assistant professor of music, shared their own stories of bias and racism.
“Growing up and as an adult, I always had this sense of having to be aware,” Dr. Rivers said. “My father taught me to be aware of who was around me, of who was watching me. Your heart and your mind have to consider different things.”
Kendell Coker, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology, also shared his own experiences. He described an encounter he had with police, who were looking for someone they were told was “running.”
“I was in a predominantly white area, and the police told me to, 'get up,' and they didn’t say it that nicely,” he said. “I tried to get up, hoping they would realize it could not have been me they were looking for because I had a huge cast on my leg from having surgery. They screamed at me to get up, and they were actually going to arrest me until another Black individual nearby said, ‘that’s not him.’”
Dr. Coker told the University community that his family has also experienced racism, and that the encounters were especially painful to him as the parent of a 10-year-old.
"He's worried when I go outside now, and when I asked him why, he said, 'George Floyd,'" said Dr. Coker. “We should not point our fingers only at law enforcement because the more we do that, the more we absolve society of their role in all of this. Law enforcement is an institution within a biased society.”
More than 180 students, faculty, staff, and alumni tuned into the discussion, which has been recorded so that all members of the University community can watch it. Through the Zoom chat feature, students and other viewers could ask questions or add their own comments and ideas to the conversation.
Panelists reflected on recent events, including the murder of George Floyd, the protests around the country that followed, and recurring incidents of police brutality and racism, while discussing their own feelings and hopes for the future.
“I have an emotional reaction to this, and it’s incredibly sickening and upsetting,” said Douglas Ficek, Ph.D., a visiting assistant professor of philosophy. “We are in this crisis and with that comes decision. We have a decision to make about how we move forward. When you see these images of protests, they are remarkably multiracial. I think that is reason to celebrate, and it does give me a sense of optimism.”
Panelists and participants discussed how the University community can continue to create a safe and inclusive atmosphere that promotes an environment of respect while creating new opportunities for education, inclusion, and growth.
“Everyone has to ask themselves where they are in this, what they have to say,” said Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., an assistant professor of criminal justice. “There are opportunities for each person to grow. It’s important to be uncomfortable, and these conversations are needed.”
Learning was a critical component of the discussion. Panelists discussed opportunities to enhance education at the University, including the possibility of including more diversity- and race-related course material in the curriculum, as well as the educational resources available to the University community. Panelists also each recommended a book, as well as other media such as podcasts and documentaries, to enable participants to further educate themselves.
“We need to get uncomfortable,” said Rebecca Kitchell, Ed.D., assistant dean of students. “We need to get comfortable with that discomfort. Get a book, listen to a TED Talk. We need to start showing up.”
Hernandez agreed, reiterating the importance of including everyone in the conversation, as well as continuing to come together.
“Black lives matter – today, yesterday, tomorrow – and they will continue to matter,” said Hernandez. “This is not a happy moment, but we are extremely proud that our community is joining together. What I’m hoping for is a much larger, much deeper conversation around white privilege, eliminating prejudice, hate, bias, and the process of learning and unlearning for us as individuals.”
University News
New University-wide council will advance strategic partnerships, immersive student opportunities, and innovative research, supporting the University’s strategic plan the development of its pioneering Center for Innovation and Applied Technology.
The Charger Blog
Entrepreneur David Sussman, Pompea College of Business Advisory Board Member and chief visionary officer of The Family Security Plan®, is collaborating with University of New Haven students, faculty, and staff to create a program and app that helps Chargers support each other to achieve academic, personal, and professional goals. It’s called Uccountability.
University News
Vice President for Innovation and Applied Technology Paul Lavoie will serve on the Board of Directors and as America’s Chief Manufacturing Officer for the newly launched American Manufacturing Futures Institute.