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
In a witty and heartfelt commencement reflection, Samuel Rathan Joy Alavala ’25 M.S. shares his experience—from switching majors and crossing continents to finding friendship, faith, and a new future at the University of New Haven.
May 13, 2025
Hello, Chargers!
Wow. We did it. We survived! Sleepless nights, endless assignments, and those group projects where one person always mysteriously disappeared—only to reappear right before submission. But here we are, ready to toss our caps and step into the real world.
For those who don’t know me, I’m Samuel Rathan Joy Alavala. I know it’s a mouthful, so my friends call me Joy—and, yes, I try to live up to that name, even when I’m running solely on caffeine, sheer willpower, and the strategic chaos of starting assignments at 11:59 p.m. My workflow? 90% internal screaming, 10% actual effort. Yet somehow, I still pulled it off—like some kind of academic wizard. I come from Warangal, a vibrant city in southern India, and, like many of us, I dared to dream big, cross an ocean, and pursue my M.S. in Business Analytics. But let me tell you, my journey here wasn’t as straightforward as my résumé makes it seem.
I originally came to the U.S. to study Computer Science—because, well, that’s the safest way to make your parents proud. But after debugging thousands of lines of code at 3 a.m., I realized... this wasn’t the future I envisioned. Let’s just say, watching AI do in seconds what took me hours was a humbling moment. So, after some deep soul searching—and desperate WhatsApp calls to friends across the country—I found my way to the University of New Haven and took a leap of faith into Business Analytics.
Now, moving to a new country is already an adventure. Moving across the country again after settling down? That’s next-level chaos. But I packed my bags—with excitement, uncertainty, and, of course, enough Maggi noodles to last a semester.
People warned me about the Northeast:
“It’s brutally cold.” (True.)
“People aren’t friendly.” (Absolutely false!)
I met some of the kindest, most incredible people here. And let’s be real, I also met more Telugu-speaking folks than I ever expected. I stepped onto campus and thought I had walked into a mini-Hyderabad!
Speaking of campus, let’s talk about our dear Orange Campus. I imagined a large, bustling university with the traditional college experience. Instead, I found a cozy little space where breakout rooms became our offices, and the café became our hangout place. The coffee breaks that lasted longer than study sessions (even though I rarely drink coffee), the late-night cramming, the 7/11 cheese pizza, and the never-ending stream of memes we sent instead of working. These are the moments that made this journey unforgettable.
Let’s acknowledge the real test ahead: the five-year ticking clock known as the F-1 visa. Our biggest assignment now isn’t a capstone project; it’s finding a job before that visa clock runs out. Every international student I know is refreshing LinkedIn like it’s the stock market, hoping to see that golden word: “Sponsored.”
To our professors—thank you for challenging us, guiding us, and pretending not to notice when we were clearly surviving on two hours of sleep and pure adrenaline. Also, special thanks for reading our presentations—because, let’s be honest, YouTube tutorials did try to compete with you.
To my friends—thank you for the laughs, the late-night grinds, and for never judging me when I ate biryani for breakfast. (Absolutely no regrets.)
To those who sat through my unsolicited therapy sessions—you’re welcome.
And finally, to all the families—whether supporting us from the nearby or from thousands of miles away—you are the real MVPs. To my dad, in heaven, and my beautiful mom and sisters celebrating this milestone with me—this achievement is as much yours as it is mine. To every proud parent, sibling, and loved one: your sacrifices, prayers, and unwavering belief in us made this day possible.
And above all, a huge shoutout to God—because without Him, none of this would be possible.
As we step into this next chapter, let’s remember uncertainty is part of the journey. But if there’s one thing this class has proven, it’s that we are built for this. We came here with dreams, fears, and doubts. And yet, today, we’re stronger, wiser, and ready to take on the world.
So, let’s go forth, let’s conquer, and let’s do it with style—because once a Charger, always a Charger!
Congratulations, Class of 2025—we did it!
Samuel Rathan Joy Alavala ’25 M.S., who will receive his business analytics degree, was a finalist to serve as a student speaker at Commencement. The content above is based on the speech he delivered as part of the competitive process to select the student Commencement speakers.
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.