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 team of University of New Haven students excelled in the regional Chem-E-Car competition, showcasing a unique design and earning big results—placing fifth against top-tier research institutions.
May 7, 2025
When the four-person Chem-E-Car team from the University of New Haven arrived at the Northeast Regional competition, they knew they faced tough competition.
“It was extremely daunting at first—being the only primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) among well-funded, prestigious universities with more people and more experience,” Dyllan Bryans ’27, a chemical engineering major on the team, recalled.
This year marked the University’s return to the Chem-E-Car competition after a multi-year hiatus. The challenge was to build a small chemically powered car that can travel a specific distance with extreme precision. It’s a demanding test of both chemical engineering know-how and collaboration.
The team placed fifth—beating out several big names in engineering, such as Yale and Northeastern, in the competition that took place last month at the University of Rhode Island.
“While we know there’s room to improve, placing fifth and having our car successfully run both times made us incredibly proud,” chemical engineering major Tristyn Barnes ’26 said. “It was a huge accomplishment for our team’s first return in a while. We proved that a small team could stand shoulder to shoulder with major research universities.”
The car itself was an innovative blend of science and creativity. “Our use of gelatin truly made our car stand out,” Nya Long ’27, a mechanical engineering major, explained. “Interestingly, other schools tried to use gelatin and weren’t successful—but we made it work.”
The students leaned into experimentation and their resourcefulness. Each member took on a critical role, contributing unique skills and ideas that made the car not only functional but distinctive.
“The biggest challenges we faced were our hectic schedules, limited time, lack of previous experience, and the general chaos during the competition,” Long admitted.
Everything had to be built from the ground up.
With just four team members, communication had to be sharp, and teamwork was non-negotiable. “What really made our car special was the way each of us contributed in a unique and essential way,” Bisher Lpizra ’25, fellow chemical engineering major said. “Everyone played a critical role.”
Beyond the technical success, each team member walked away with something personal. For Barnes, it was a reminder of what truly matters: “Teamwork is the key to success.” Long found direction for the future. “This experience helped me realize where I want to go,” she said.
Bryans took away an important lesson in emotional control. “I learned the importance of staying calm under pressure—especially when communication gets tough in stressful situations,” he said. And for Lpizra, it came down to diligence: “Always double, triple, and quadruple check everything.”
Their experience has already started to pay off. They’re thinking about improvements for next year’s competition and encouraging others to join the team. The more hands on deck, the better the car, and the stronger the connections between students applying what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world problems.
“Come on in—we need more people,” Lpizra said. “It’s a lot of fun and a great experience. Plus, it looks fantastic on your resume. You’ll feel proud using what you’ve learned in class to solve real engineering challenges.”
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.