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
Dr. Shivanjali Khare conducted a workshop at the New Haven Free Public Library to educate senior citizens on smart-device security and to help protect them from cyber threats.
August 14, 2024
Dr. Shivanjali Khare, an assistant professor in the University of New Haven’s Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science, says she has been passionate about the intersection of technology and security since she was a child. Her interest deepened when she was a graduate student and she witnessed a friend fall victim to online fraud. This experience fueled Dr. Khare's career and her commitment to tackling the growing challenge of cyber threats.
Recently, this dedication led Dr. Khare to organize a "Smart Device Security Awareness Workshop for Seniors" at the New Haven Free Public Library. The event educated seniors on safely using their smartphones and other smart devices, recognizing the unique vulnerabilities faced by this demographic.
“With increasing threats happening every day, scammers are especially targeting seniors,”Dr. Khare
“With increasing threats happening every day, scammers are especially targeting seniors,” Dr. Khare shared. “I wanted to contribute to their sense of safety and wellbeing.”
The idea for the seminar originated during a visit Dr. Khare made to the library, where she noticed a variety of programs, but none dedicated to cybersecurity. Recognizing the gap, she proposed a targeted seminar to the library.
“The library was excited about the idea and leveraging their space and resources along with my knowledge,” she recalls. “The next thing I know, we’re planning the seminar and other speakers we could get.”
Held in early August, the seminar featured a data scientist from IBM and representatives from the Connecticut State Police’s Cybercrimes Unit. Dr. Khare herself focused on the specific risks associated with smart devices and provided practical tips on how to protect oneself from potential cyber threats.
“I think events and projects like these are about making a difference in the community,” she said. “It’s a chance to be there to listen to their concerns and answer the questions they have.”
The seminar was divided into two sections: pre- and post-incident security practices. The first section educated attendees on recognizing and avoiding common scams such as phishing, identity theft, and giveaway scams.
To illustrate these concepts, Dr. Khare’s undergraduate student researcher Ronnie Scarpa ‘25 created a phishing website that demonstrated in real-time how a phishing attack unfolds and what the scammer can see on the other end.
The second part focused on what to do if you fall victim to a cybercrime. “I wanted to connect with local law enforcement, because they could provide real-life examples,” Dr. Khare explained. “They also offered guidance on whom to contact in such situations.”
Dr. Khare observed a strong sense of curiosity among the seniors, and she envisions future workshops that could further build on this foundation.
“They asked a lot of great questions,” she shared. “We had conversations from how you can secure your phone cameras to multi-factor authentication. They want to understand how to protect themselves.”
For Dr. Khare, the seminar was also an opportunity to involve her students in real-world applications of their studies. By encouraging them to create tools such as the phishing website, she endeavors to foster critical thinking about cybersecurity risks.
“I hope to advance students’ passion through seminars like these,” she explained “I want to inspire them to take an active role in protecting their communities.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Khare sees the importance of continued collaboration in the fight against these ever-evolving threats.
“I see increasing cyber risks, and their complexity is growing,” she notes. “Hopefully, we can continue to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and the community to address these challenges together.
"I hope these initiatives encourage others to listen to the challenges faced by seniors and to support them in navigating the digital world safely," Dr. Khare continues. “It's about making a difference."
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.