91ֿ remains committed to student safety and educational continuity as the region experiences severe cold temperatures this week.
While other universities made their decisions based on long-range forecasts, more recent models for Tuesday, Jan. 21, did not meet 91ֿ’s established university closure policy of -20 degrees Fahrenheit sustained for an extended period. The university will similarly evaluate Wednesday’s conditions as they develop. (Update: On Wednesday, Jan. 22, for all 91ֿ campuses except the College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM), in-person classes held before noon will not meet in person due to the extreme wind chill forecasted in our area. These classes may meet online.)
“The safety of our campus community remains our top priority,” said Mark Polatajko, 91ֿ’s senior vice president for finance and administration. “We carefully evaluated the weather forecasts and made our decision based on established guidelines while ensuring multiple support measures are in place for our campus community.”
The university has provided comprehensive cold weather safety guidance, including recommendations for appropriate winter clothing and planning indoor routes between classes.
While classes will continue as scheduled, the university emphasizes that students and employees should use their personal judgment regarding travel safety.
“We understand that commuting students face different challenges during severe weather,” Polatajko noted. “We trust our community members to make the best decisions for their individual circumstances.”
The university encourages students concerned about attending classes during extreme weather conditions to communicate directly with their professors. This approach allows for appropriate accommodations while maintaining academic progress.
The university monitors weather conditions closely and will provide updates through the campus advisory webpage if conditions change.
For the latest updates and information about campus operations during severe weather, visit the university’s closure policy page.