School Closing or Delay Due to Weather

Owned by Mark Gallimore
Last updated: Aug 19, 2024 by Amy Beiter
3 min read

School Closing or Delay Policy

There are several possible options for altering the university’s normal operation due to weather:

  1. Cancellation of all in person classes; staff expected to report
  2. Closing the university; only essential operating personnel should report
  3. Delay of opening; essential operating personnel should report at normal time and other personnel should report once the university is open
  4. Early closing of the university 

Decisions about changes to the university’s operations are based on evaluating the effects of current and forecasted conditions on the safety of students, faculty, and staff. There are generally two decision points each day – one in the early morning and a second in the afternoon.

Early Morning Decisions

The decision to close or delay the opening of the university will be made by a group that represents Facilities, Public Safety, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Business and Finance. This group will assess the current conditions, the weather forecast, and the likely effects on college operation and safety. Any decision to alter the normal operations of the university will be communicated to the Canisius community by 6:00 am through a through the following methods/outlets:

Afternoon Decisions

Daytime decisions for early dismissal or cancellation of remaining will be made no later than 2:30 pm. If a decision is made to cancel evening classes (classes beginning after 4:00 pm), it will be communicated no later than 2:45 pm via the methods/outlets listed above.

Additional Considerations


Cancellation During Final Exam Period

This year, undergraduate final exams are December 9th to 13th (Monday through Friday), and graduate final exams are December 9th to 14th (Monday through Saturday). If classes are cancelled for a day during the final exam period, the closing announcement will include information about the rescheduled exams, which will generally occur on Saturday, December 14th for weekday exams and on Sunday, December 15th for Saturday exams. The university will not cancel exams unless there is a driving ban in Buffalo.

Individual Class Cancellations

Individual course instructors may cancel or choose to hold specific courses remotely when the university is operating normally.  Full-time faculty should communicate such changes directly to students via the D2L email feature and/or the class listproc.  Department chairs may request notification of any unplanned individual class changes.  Adjunct faculty should communicate such changes directly to students via the D2L email feature and/or class listproc as well as inform their department chair.  Faculty should specify their planned cancellation procedure in their syllabus. Students have a duty to regularly check their D2L email feature and any communication from their instructors.

Campus Events and Other Offices

For campus events during evening hours, weekends and holidays, please see the attached Severe Weather Cancellation Procedures for Campus Events from the office of Events Services for directions. Except under special circumstances, The Women’s Business Center and the Center for Professional Development will follow the decision made by the main campus. Admissions (716 -888-2200) and Alumni Relations will control any scheduled weekend events. The library may still be open even if the university is closed. Please check the library’s website for library hours at https://library.canisius.edu/.

Event Cancellations Due to Severe Weather Policy

Academic Preparedness

Faculty are encouraged to consult the Academic Preparedness Guide, which presents ways that professors can use online resources to replace classroom class sessions, rather than lose time and force adjustments to course schedules.  

Important Numbers

Main Switchboard: 716-883-7000

Public Safety (Watch Commander): 716-888-2330

NYS Thruway (Radio 1610 AM) 1-800-847-8929

Canisius Alert System

If you have not signed up for the Canisius Alert System, please sign up at my.canisius.edu under the Campus Services quick links. You may choose to receive notifications by text, phone call, and/or email.

Related Policies

University Closing and Class Cancellation Policy

Event Cancellations Due to Severe Weather Policy

Staff Remote Work and Telecommuting Policy