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
Kate Miller, Ph.D., found a creative way for her students to do their labs at home, and her students found the experience to be a meaningful way to reflect, connect with nature, and enjoy some time outside.
June 4, 2020
Erika Lugo ’20 recently ventured to Fountain Lake Reservoir in Seymour, Conn., a trail she has fond memories of visiting with friends, where they would have breakfast on the docks and enjoy the scenery together.
Her latest visit was part of an assignment for her biology class, so, instead of taking in the scenery with her friends, she jotted down notes, sketched what she saw, and practiced being aware of her surroundings in the moment.
"I enjoyed this assignment because it gave me the opportunity to get outside and feel like a part of nature," said Lugo. "As a student, I spend a lot of time immersed in a book or on my laptop, and I liked that this assignment challenged me to think about where I was in nature and what was surrounding me. As a psychology major, I appreciated the opportunity to include mindfulness, which made it even more relevant."
Lugo's lab was part of an assignment for a biology class she took with Kate Miller, Ph.D. Students were tasked with exploring a natural setting and applying what they had learned about ecology. They were instructed to take time to notice the details around them and to reflect on the experience.
Students didn’t have to go far to complete the assignment. Those who couldn’t safely be outside could explore an ecosystem online. One student visited Yellowstone National Park virtually. They could explore any natural setting, even their own backyard, which is what Ariel Rice ’22 did.
"I really enjoyed the simple fact of being outside and appreciating nature, even if only for a few moments," said Rice, a psychology major. "This assignment allowed me to really explore my backyard, almost as if for the first time. I was able to notice details that I otherwise might not have."
As Dr. Miller and her colleagues transitioned to online learning amid the global coronavirus pandemic, they adapted their course material – including labs – so that students could learn from home. This lab was part of a biology course for students who are not majoring in biology, and one of several that she and her colleagues adapted so that students could complete it from home.
"This was one of many online labs that had to be created quickly," Dr. Miller explained. "We're very fortunate to have a talented team that pitched in to create this content. It was this team approach that ensured our ability to deliver a diverse, interesting, and meaningful curriculum to more than 270 students."
Students completing the outdoor ecology lab chose a place to take a walk and record their observations. They described the place in detail, and many researched it. Then, those who could, took a 15-minute walk, choosing one location in particular to explore in depth.
Felicia Pasculli ’21 also explored her backyard, and she says she discovered lasting benefits of connecting with nature.
"I have been mostly staying inside during the pandemic, but this gave me an excuse to clear my head and get some fresh air," said Pasculli, a psychology major. "Going outside put me in a better mood and made me feel more productive throughout the rest of my day."
Kimberly Nelson ’21, a criminal justice major, explored Holy Land USA, an abandoned, religious-themed amusement park in Waterbury, Conn. She wrote that the experience "allowed me to view nature through a different lens, and encouraged me to change certain behaviors that aren’t good for our environment."
Students examined the vegetation, noted the different types of environments and organisms they saw, and the impact humans have had on the environment. They took photos of their surroundings and of themselves exploring. They then reflected on how spending time outdoors affected them.
Kelsey Phoenix ’21 visited Cortona Park, a public park in the Bronx, New York, a place she has often visited with her mother.
"Spending time outdoors helped me find a new activity during this time in quarantine," said Phoenix, a psychology major. "I enjoyed taking a walk through my neighborhood park and observing all the aspects of nature, especially the birds in the trees. It allowed me to enjoy how beautiful nature is without having to be in close proximity to other people."
We've launched the Charge Ahead Student Support Fund in an effort to raise financial assistance for our students for such necessities as remote learning technology, food, housing, medical expenses, and other emergency needs. Please click here to make a contribution that will assist those in our University community who need our support.
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.