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
For Ryan Bell ’23, a genetics and biotechnology major, member of the Marching Band, and motivational speaker, his time at the University has enabled him to create meaningful relationships with his classmates and faculty mentor. He’s looking forward to heading to Kenya for a research trip after accepting his degree in May.
April 19, 2023
When Ryan Bell ’23 was a first-year student at the University, he joined the Chargers Marching Band – and felt like he’d found a family. It became the foundation for which many of his friendships have been built – friendships that, he expects, will be lifelong. As a Charger, he also soon felt at home while conducting research, an experience that laid a different type of foundation: one for his career.
A genetics and biotechnology major, Bell will accept his degree as part of the University’s Spring Commencement. When he reflects on his favorite memories of his time at the University, he says the excitement and camaraderie of the Marching Band come to mind. Even on very hot or cold days, the energy of performing made it easy to get excited about charging out onto the field.
“Some of my favorite memories are of the football games,” he said. “The sense of community throughout the school and the level of school spirit were impressive at every game. I cherished every moment to be out on the field showing school pride and performing amazing shows. While that’s incredible and a great experience, I think my favorite thing about Marching Band is the people.”
Bell is no stranger to being in front of people. Bell, who has Treacher Collins syndrome, is also a dedicated public speaker. He has embraced the opportunity to share his story, as well as the importance of kindness, inspiring students at other local universities as well. He says he was inspired by how comfortable he felt at the University of New Haven, and how quickly he felt a sense of connection and community.
“The University community has been amazing to me in terms of being accepting of my differences,” said Bell, an active member of the University’s Dungeons and Dragons Club. “As I entered college, I was nervous about how my differences would be received and if it would impact my ability to adapt to the new setting. The University culture allowed me to make many friends and really allowed me to charge ahead and forge my own path through college and beyond.”
Through his coursework and research, Bell learned how to navigate asking the critical and complex questions pertaining to ecology and genetics that he’ll need to explore on his path to becoming a conservation geneticist. He says the courses he’s taken have deepened his understanding of these fields, enabling him to build the skills he’ll need to excel.
Bell calls the faculty-mentored research he conducted with Dr. Sharon Kahara an “amazing experience.” Their work focuses on the differences of filter sizes on the processing of samples of amphibian environmental DNA (or eDNA). The work is closely aligned with what he wants to focus on in his career, and it’s been a remarkable way for him to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge research techniques.
"Dr. Kahara has been an outstanding mentor, giving a ton of advice to me on possible future steps for my career and allowing me to get this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said. “I have learned how to cooperate in a cohesive group and use resources available to me. These group-based skills are invaluable to my future. Overall, the University has prepared me extremely well for my future.”
That future includes a trip to Kenya after Commencement, where Bell will study elephant ecology. He is looking forward to studying the animals in their natural environment and learning about the impact they have on it. He plans to also explore human-wildlife conflict management, something that, he hopes, will lead to a better understanding of how humans can use better use resources and conserve wildlife.
After he gains experience in the field, Bell plans to continue his education by earning an advanced degree in conservation genetics. He also hopes to inspire people to not only be kind to the environment and to wildlife, but, also, to each other.
“My message focuses on looking beyond someone's perceived differences, encouraging others to reach for their dreams, and pushing beyond what we may believe to be our limitations so we can exceed our goals,” he said. “These messages hold true for each of us as we look past graduation and focus on making our own way on the next step of our life journey beyond the University.”
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.