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 year after beginning my role as the University’s assistant provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion, I reflect on everything the University community has done over the past year, and I look forward to everything we are sure to accomplish during the upcoming academic year.
September 5, 2021
When I received an unexpected calendar meeting invite from the Provost’s Office last year, my first thought was ‘uh oh. What did I do?’ What would the Provost’s Office want with me, I wondered. The meeting was a pleasant surprise because, well, I didn’t get the boot. Phew. Instead, interim Provost Mario Gaboury asked me to serve as the Assistant Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). And, after careful thought and reviewing the longlist of concerns I heard students raise during the past year, I accepted. After all, when would I ever get an opportunity like this again?
It has been a year since that August 2020 meeting. Within that time, which seemed like it passed by at warp speed, I was able to check off numerous items on my ‘DEI-to-do’ list. I share three of my favorite achievements below.
In response to student concerns around the absence of unpaid opportunities to do DEI-work, I established the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Ambassadors program. I carefully selected nine students across the University’s five academic colleges and schools to serve as student representatives tasked with spearheading DEI-initiatives focused on supporting students of color, LGBTQ students, and students from other historically marginalized backgrounds.
Within a short timespan, the JEDIs developed and disseminated surveys to solicit feedback from their peers, organized conferences for high school students across Connecticut, co-led inclusive teaching workshops for faculty, and served as advocates for institutional change at the University. To those who have been asking, yes, the JEDIs will be returning this fall semester. A call for the next cohort is underway.
In response to concerns around the misgendering of members of the campus community, I invited JEDI expert Kay Martinez to lead an interactive workshop for instructors. More than 200 faculty members attended the 90-minute workshop to learn about the importance of respecting one’s pronouns in and outside of the classroom. More workshops aimed at supporting the transgender community will be offered to students this upcoming year.
Lastly, with great support from our Dean of Students, Ophelie Rowe-Allen, and the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion leadership team, Carrie Robinson and Zanaiya Leon, we organized our University’s inaugural Lavender Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony, which is already a tradition at numerous universities across the country, honors graduating members of the University’s LGBTQ+ community and celebrates their accomplishments. Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye, and U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro spoke at this year’s ceremony, which will continue to be a University tradition moving forward.
So, what’s in store for 2021-2022? Expect the return of the JEDIs (pun intended), including new members who will be interviewed and selected over the coming weeks. All will be asked to propose new ideas and put them into action. They will also be actively engaging with students, faculty, and staff of each of the five colleges and schools.
Meanwhile, I will continue meeting with various student leaders and recognized student organizations. And, as usual, I will be asking to hear both their concerns and ideas as they relate to DEI at the University and the surrounding Greater West Haven and New Haven community. Being a student leader not too long ago, I understand the importance of actively listening to the student voice.
Faculty and staff, I’ve got some plans for you all as well. I’m excited to be seeing more in-person events (though I’m sure many will be hybrid) and new opportunities to learn about fostering inclusive learning environments. I am thankful to have had your support over the past year. So many have reached out with ideas and have even offered to take items off my heavy plate. Also, I am always grateful to have the continued support of the Myatt Center, Student Affairs, IDEA Council, and Provost’s Office in the development of upcoming innovative DEI-focused workshops and events.
Overall, I believe the following quote from the author Jacqueline Woodson summarizes my experiences, thus far, accurately: “Diversity is about all of us and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.”
To another exciting year ahead.
Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH, is an assistant professor of public health; assistant provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion; director of the Univeristy’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health program; and interim director of the University’s Master of Public Health program.
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.