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
Mark Rohlfs ’93 wants employees at the manufacturing company he co-founded to feel a sense of belonging, and he has gone to great lengths to ensure his employees continue to be engaged as members of a team throughout the pandemic.
December 8, 2020
Mark Rohlfs ’93 says his goal was to create the type of workplace that was important to him – an environment where employees felt valued and had input into their work experience. He co-founded his own business with his sister, Nancy, to do just that.
Now president of East Coast Precision Manufacturing, a company based in Chester, Conn., that produces precision-machined plastic parts, Rohlfs enjoys serving not just as his employees’ boss, but as a mentor and friend.
“The most rewarding part of my career is taking care of my employees,” he said. “I am proud of the education that they receive, the fair compensation, and the friendly workplace environment.”
Dedicated to creating a sense of community in the workplace, Rohlfs made sure the entire team got together for outings outside of work every three months, before the coronavirus global pandemic. They also planned regular activities at the shop, including team-building events. They have continued to stay connected during the pandemic, and a physically-distanced outing earlier this year brought them to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, Conn.
A third-generation machinist, Rohlfs earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of New Haven. As a student, he experienced a sense of community, much like what he strives to create at his company, among his classmates and professors.
“My time at the University helped me learn the skills and discipline that I would need for running a business,” he said. “I gained confidence in my ability to persevere through difficult tasks, and to succeed. I always believed the professors had a genuine interest in my understanding of the subject matter. It was important to them that I learned.”
Rohlfs discussed recruiting and working with Generation Z employees in a story featured in a recent issue of Modern Machine Shop magazine. He says that those who own and manage machine shops are increasingly recruiting and hiring members of Gen Z – a cohort that includes many current University of New Haven students.
Rohlfs describes his Gen Z employees as “hard workers, tech savvy, and who work as a team,” and he offers this advice to current students at the University.
“Work hard, and keep learning to keep yourself moving forward,” he said. “Live inside your means, and don't let opportunities pass you by.”
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.